5
S
pecific Requirements for the Common Wealth of Massachusetts
The information in this section applies to all installations performed in the Common Wealth of Massachusetts only.
a)
For all side wall horizontally vented gas fueled equipment installed in every dwelling, building or struc-
ture used in whole or in part for residential purposes and where the side wall exhaust vent termination
is less than seven (7) feet above grade, the following requirements shall be satisfied:
1. If there is no carbon monoxide detector with an alarm already installed in compliance with the
most current edition of NFPA 720, NFPA 70 and the Massachusetts State Building code in the
residential unit served by the side wall horizontally vented gas fueled equipment, a battery oper-
ated carbon monoxide detector with an alarm shall be installed in compliance with the most cur-
rent edition of NFPA 720. NFPA 70 and the Massachusetts State Building Code.
2. In addition to the above requirements, if there is not one already present, a carbon monoxide de-
tector with an alarm and a battery backup shall be installed and located in accordance with the
installation requirements supplied with the detector on the floor level where the gas equipment is
installed. The carbon monoxide detector with an alarm shall comply with 527 CMR, ANSI/UL
2034 Standards or CSA 6.19 and the most current edition of NFPA 720. In the event that the re-
quirements of this subdivision cannot be met at the time of the completion of the installation of the
equipment, the installer shall have a period of thirty (30) days to comply with this requirement;
provided, however, that during said thirty (30) day period, a battery operated carbon monoxide
detector with an alarm shall be installed in compliance with the most current edition of NFPA 720,
NFPA 70 and the Massachusetts State Building Code. In the event that the side wall horizontally
vented gas fueled equipment is installed in a crawl space or an attic, the carbon monoxide detec-
tor may be installed on the next adjacent habitable floor level. Such detector may be a battery
operated carbon monoxide detector with an alarm and shall be installed in compliance with the
most current edition of NFPA 720, NFPA 70 and the Massachusetts State Building Code.
3. A metal or plastic identification plate shall be permanently mounted to the exterior of the building
at a minimum height of eight (8) feet above grade directly in line with the exhaust vent terminal for
the horizontally vented gas fueled heating appliance or equipment. The sign shall read, in print
size no less than one-half (1/2) inch in size, “GAS VENT DIRECTLY BELOW, KEEP CLEAR OF
ALL OBSTRUCTIONS”
4. A final inspection by the state or local gas inspector of the side wall horizontally vented equipment
shall not be performed until proof is provided that the state or local electrical inspector having ju-
risdiction has granted a permit for installation of carbon monoxide detectors and alarms as re-
quired above.
(b)
EXEMPTIONS: The following equipment is exempt from 248 CMR 5.08(2) (a) 1 through 4:
1. The equipment listed in Chapter 10 entitled “Equipment Not Required To Be Vented” in the most
current edition of NFPA 54 as adopted by the Board; and
2. Product Approved side wall horizontally vented gas fueled equipment installed in a room or struc-
ture separate from the dwelling, building or structure used in whole or in part for residential pur-
poses.
(c)
When the manufacturer of Product Approved side wall horizontally vented gas equipment provides a
venting system design or venting system components with the equipment, the instructions for installa-
tion of the equipment and the venting system shall include:
1. A complete parts list for the venting system design or venting system; and
2. Detailed instructions for the installation of the venting system design or the venting system com-
ponents.
(d) When the manufacturer of a Product Approved side wall horizontally vented gas fueled equipment does
not provide the parts for venting the flue gases, but identifies “special venting systems”, the following
shall be satisfied:
1. The referenced “special venting system” instructions shall be included with the appliance or
equipment installation instructions; and
2. The “special venting systems” shall be Product Approved by the Board, and the instructions for
that system shall include a parts list and detailed installation instructions.
(e)
A copy of all installation instructions for all Product Approved side wall horizontally vented gas fueled
equipment, all venting instructions, all parts lists for venting instructions, and/or all venting design in-
structions shall remain with the appliance or equipment at the completion of the installation.
