6
Specific 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 structure 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 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.
2. In addition to the above requirements, if there is not one already present, a carbon monoxide detector with
an alarm and a battery backup shall be installed and located in accordance with the installation require-
ments 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 requirements 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 detector 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 min-
imum 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 jurisdiction has
granted a permit for installation of carbon monoxide detectors and alarms as required above.
(b)
EXEMPTIONS: The following equipment is exempt from 248 CMR 5.08(2) (a) 1 through 4:
1. The equipment listed in Chapte
r 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 sepa-
rate from the dwelling, building or structure used in whole or in part for residential purposes.
(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 installation 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 components.
(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 sat-
isfied:
1. The reference
d “special venting system” instructions shall be included with the appliance or equipment in-
stallation 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 equip-
ment, 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.
