Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Installation Requirements
NOTICE!
In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the
installation must be performed by a licensed plumber
or gas fitter.
1. For all side wall horizontally vented gas fueled equipment
installed in every dwelling, building or structure used in whole
or in part for residential purposes, including those owned
or operated by the commonwealth and where the side wall
exhaust vent termination is less than seven (7) feet above
finished grade, in the area of the venting, including but not
limited to decks and porches, the following requirements shall
be satisfied:
d. INSTALLATION OF CARBON MONOXIDE
DETECTORS. At the time of installation of the side wall
horizontal vented gas fueled equipment, the installing
plumber or gasfitter shall observe that a hard wired
carbon monoxide detector with an alarm and battery
back-up is installed on the floor level where the gas
equipment is to be installed. In addition, the installing
plumber or gas fitter shall observe that a battery operated
or hard wired carbon monoxide detector with an alarm is
installed on each additional level of the dwelling, building
or structure served by the side wall horizontal vented
gas fueled equipment. It shall be the responsibility of
the property owner to secure the services of qualified
licensed professionals for the installation of hard wired
carbon monoxide detectors.
i. In the event that the side wall horizontally vented gas
fueled equipment is installed in a crawl space or an
attic, the hard wired carbon monoxide detector with
alarm and battery back-up may be installed on the next
adjacent floor level.
ii. In the event that the requirements of this subdivision
can not be met at the time of completion of installation,
the owner shall have a period of thirty (30) days
to comply with the above requirements; provided,
however, that during said thirty (30) day period, a
battery operated carbon monoxide detector with an
alarm shall be installed.
e. APPROVED CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS.
Each carbon monoxide detector as required in accordance
with the above provisions shall comply with NFPA 720
and be ANSI/UL 2034 listed and IAS certified.
f. SIGNAGE. 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”.
g. INSPECTION. The state or local gas inspector of the side
wall horizontally vented gas fueled equipment shall not
approve the installation unless, upon inspection, the
inspector observes carbon monoxide detectors and signage
installed in accordance with the provisions of 248 CMR
5.08(2)(a)1 through 4.
Improper venting can result in excessive levels of
carbon monoxide which can cause severe personal
injury or death!
2. Exemptions — The following equipment is exempt from
248 CMR 5.08(2)(a) 1 through 4:
a. 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
b. Product Approved side wall horizontally vented gas fueled
equipment installed in a room or structure separate from
the dwelling, building or structure used in whole or in
part for residential purposes.
3. MANUFACTURER REQUIREMENTS — GAS
EQUIPMENT VENTING SYSTEM PROVIDED.
a 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 provided by the manufacturer
for installation of the equipment and the venting system
shall include:
i. Detailed instructions for the installation of the venting
system design or the venting system components; and
ii. A complete parts list for the venting system design
or venting system.
4. MANUFACTURER REQUIREMENTS — GAS
EQUIPMENT VENTING SYSTEM NOT PROVIDED.
a 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 requirements shall be
satisfied by the manufacturer:
i. The referenced “special venting system” instructions
shall be included with the appliance or equipment
installation instructions; and
ii. 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.
5. 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 instructions shall remain with the appliance
or equipment at the completion of the installation.
Improper venting can result in excessive levels of
carbon monoxide which can cause severe personal
injury or death!
MACODE-3
