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16934-3-0806
PROVISIONS FOR ADEQUATE COMBUSTION & VENTILATION AIR
Provisions for Adequate Combustion and Ventilation Air
This heater shall not be installed in a confined space or unusually
tight construction unless provisions are provided for adequate
combustion and ventilation air.
The National Fuel Gas Code, ANSI Z223.1 defines a confined
space as a space whose volume is less than 50 cubic feet per
1,000 Btu per hour (4.8m
3
per kw) of the aggregate input rating
of all appliances installed in that space and an unconfined space
as a space whose volume is not less than 50 cubic feet per 1,000
Btu per hour (4.8m
3
per kw) of the aggregate input rating of all
appliances installed in that space. Rooms communicating directly
with the space in which the appliances are installed, through
openings not furnished with doors, are considered a part of the
unconfined space.
The following example is for determining the volume of a typical
area in which the CHBR-16 may be located and for determining
if this area fits the definition of an unconfined space.
The maximum6 input of the CHBR-16 is 20,000 Btu per hour.
Based on the 50 cubic feet per 1,000 Btu per hour formula, the
minimum area that is an unconfined space for installation of the
CHBR-16 is 1,000 cubic feet, 50 cubic feet x 20 = 1,000 cubic feet.
To determine the cubic feet of the area in which the CHBR-16 is
to be installed, measure the length, width and height of the area.
Example: The area measures 16 feet in length, 12 feet in width
and 8 feet in height, the area is 1,536 cubic feet. The CHBR-16
can be installed in this unconfined space with no requirement to
provide additional combustion and ventilation air.
Warning: If the area in which the heater may be operated is smaller
than that defined as an unconfined space or if the building is of
unusually tight construction, provide adequate combustion and
ventilation air by one of the methods described in the National Fuel
Gas Code, ANSI Z223.1, Section 5.3 or applicable local codes.
Unusually Tight Construction
The air that leaks around doors and windows may provide enough
fresh air for combustion and ventilation. However, in buildings of
unusually tight construction, you must provide additional fresh
air.
Unusually tight construction is defined as construction
where:
a. Walls and ceilings exposed to the outside atmosphere have
a continuous water vapor retarder with a rating of one perm
or less with openings gasketed or sealed, and
b. Weatherstripping has been added on openable windows
and doors, and
c. Caulking or sealants are applied to areas such as joints
around window and door frames, between sole plates and
floors, between wall-ceiling joints, between wall panels, at
penetrations for plumbing, electrical, and gas lines, and at
other openings.
If the heater is installed in a building of unusually tight construction,
adequate air for combustion, ventilation and dilution of flue gases
shall be provided in accordance with ANSI Z223.1/NFPA54.
