507714-01
Page 7 of 52
Issue 1716
Insufficient combustion air can cause headaches,
nausea, dizziness or asphyxiation. It will also cause
excess water in the heat exchanger resulting in rusting
and premature heat exchanger failure. Excessive
exposure to contaminated combustion air will result
in safety and performance related problems. Avoid
exposure to the following substances in the combustion
air supply:
•
Permanent wave solutions
•
Chlorinated waxes and cleaners
•
Chlorine base swimming pool chemicals
•
Water softening chemicals
•
De-icing salts or chemicals
•
Carbon tetrachloride
•
Halogen type refrigerants
•
Cleaning solvents (such as perchloroethylene)
•
Printing inks, paint removers, varnishes, etc.
•
Hydrochloric acid
• Cements and glues
•
Antistatic fabric softeners for clothes dryers
•
Masonry acid washing materials
WARNING
Do not install the furnace in a corrosive or contaminated
atmosphere. Meet all combustion and ventilation air
requirements, as well as all local codes.
CAUTION
All gas-fired appliances require air for the combustion
process. If sufficient combustion air is not available,
the furnace or other appliance will operate inefficiently
and unsafely. Enough air must be provided to meet the
needs of all fuel-burning appliances and appliances such
as exhaust fans which force air out of the house. When
fireplaces, exhaust fans, or clothes dryers are used at the
same time as the furnace, much more air is required to
ensure proper combustion and to prevent a down draft.
Insufficient air causes incomplete combustion which can
result in carbon monoxide.
In addition to providing combustion air, fresh outdoor air
dilutes contaminants in the indoor air. These contaminants
may include bleaches, adhesives, detergents, solvents
and other contaminants which can corrode furnace
components.
The requirements for providing air for combustion and
ventilation depend largely on whether the furnace is
installed in an unconfined or a confined space.
Unconfined Space
An unconfined space is an area such as a basement
or large equipment room with a volume greater than 50
cubic feet (1.42 m³) per 1,000 Btu (.29 kW) per hour of
the combined input rating of all appliances installed in that
space. This space also includes adjacent rooms which are
not separated by a door. Though an area may appear to
be unconfined, it might be necessary to bring in outdoor air
for combustion if the structure does not provide enough air
by infiltration. If the furnace is located in a building of tight
construction with weather stripping and caulking around
the windows and doors, follow the procedures in the “Air
from Outside” section.
Confined Space
A confined space is an area with a volume less than 50
cubic feet (1.42 m³) per 1,000 Btu (.29 kW) per hour of
the combined input rating of all appliances installed in that
space. This definition includes furnace closets or small
equipment rooms.
When the furnace is installed so that supply ducts carry
air circulated by the furnace to areas outside the space
containing the furnace, the return air must be handled by
ducts which are sealed to the furnace casing and which
terminate outside the space containing the furnace. This
is especially important when the furnace is mounted on
a platform in a confined space such as a closet or small
equipment room. Even a small leak around the base of the
unit at the platform or at the return air duct connection can
cause a potentially dangerous negative pressure condition.
Air for combustion and ventilation can be brought into the
confined space either from inside the building or from
outside.
Air from Inside
If the confined space that houses the furnace adjoins a
space categorized as unconfined, air can be brought in
by providing two permanent openings between the two
spaces. Each opening must have a minimum free area of 1
square inch (645 mm²) per 1,000 Btu (.29 kW) per hour of
total input rating of all gas-fired equipment in the confined
space.
Each opening must be at least 100 square inches (64516
mm²). One opening shall be within 12 inches (305 mm) of
the top of the enclosure and one opening within 12 inches
(305 mm) of the bottom. See Figure 5.
Air from Outside
If air from outside is brought in for combustion and
ventilation, the confined space shall be provided with two
permanent openings. One opening shall be within 12” (305
mm) of the top of the enclosure and one within 12” (305
mm) of the bottom. These openings must communicate
directly or by ducts with the outdoors or spaces (crawl
or attic) that freely communicate with the outdoors or
indirectly through vertical ducts. Each opening shall have
