1-7
INSTALLATION
TANKLESS WATER HEATER 199
In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires compliance with regulation 248
CMR 4.00 and 5.00 for installation of through-the-wall vented gas appliances as
follows:
(a) For all side-wall, horizontally vented, gas-fueled equipment installed in every
dwelling, building, or structure used in whole or 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.
1. INSTALLATION OF CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS. At the time of
installation of the side-wall, horizontally vented, gas-fueled equipment, the
installing plumber or gas fitter shall observe that a hard-wired carbon monoxide
detector with an alarm and battery backup 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, horizontally 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.
a. 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 backup may be installed on the next adjacent floor level.
b. In the event that the requirements of this subdivision cannot 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.”
4. 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).
(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 structure separate from the dwelling, building, or structure
used in whole or in part for residential purposes.
NOTE
For the State of
Massachusetts, use only
plastic piping, fittings
and vent terminations as
specified in this manual
which are approved by the
Massachusetts Board of State
Examiners of Plumbers and
Gas for venting of appliances
(see hyperlink below):