507281-06
Page 8 of 58
Issue 1724
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
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.
Figure 5.
Equipment in Confined Space - All Air From
Inside
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 a minimum
free area of 1 square inch per 4,000 Btu (645 mm² per .59
kW) per hour of the total input rating of all equipment in the
enclosure (See Figure 6 and Figure 7). It is also permissible
to bring air for combustion from a ventilated attic (Figure 9)
or ventilated crawl space (Figure 10).
If this unit is being installed in an application with
combustion air coming in from a space serviced by an
exhaust fan, power exhaust fan, or other device which
may create a negative pressure in the space, take care
when sizing the inlet air opening. The inlet air opening
must be sized to accommodate the maximum volume
of exhaust air as well as the maximum volume of
combustion air required for all gas appliances serviced
by this space.
WARNING
