14
Installing the water heater.
Horizontal Vent Terminal Location
The location of the vent terminal depends on the following
minimum clearances and considerations (see illustration):
Twelve (12) inches above grade level and above normal
snow levels.
Four (4) feet below, or four (4) feet horizontally from any
door, window, soffit, under eave vent or gravity air inlet to
the building or other appliances, or from gas or electric
meters. Do not locate vent above walkways, doors,
windows, air inlets, gas or electric meters or other
equipment.
Ten (10) feet from any forced air inlet to the building.
Any fresh or make-up air inlet such as for a dryer or
furnace area is considered to be a forced air inlet.
Eighteen (18) inches from an inside corner formed by two
exterior walls.
4'
4'
Soffit vents
18"
4'
4'
4'
18"
Electric
meter
Inside
corner
10'
Fresh
air
intake
12" (Above grade/snow level)
window or vent
Additional Considerations
Do Not install vent terminal under any patio or deck.
To help prevent moisture from freezing on walls and under
eaves, do not locate vent terminal on the side of a building
with prevailing winter winds.
Do Not terminate vent pipe directly on brick or masonry
surfaces. Use a rust-resistant sheet metal backing plate
(2 x 2 feet) behind vent. (See illustration.)
Do Not locate vent terminal too close to shrubbery, as flue
gasses may damage them.
Caulk all cracks, seams and joints within six (6) feet of vent
terminal.
All painted surfaces should be primed to lessen the chance of
physical damage. Painted surfaces will require maintenance.
Insulate vent pipe exposed to cold conditions (attics, crawl
spaces, etc.) with inflammable material to help prevent
moisture from accumulating in vent pipe.
Do Not extend exposed vent pipe outside of building.
If soffit vent is too
close, block off and
install new vent at
another location
Inside
corner
Caulk
Caulk
Caulk
6' caulk
zone or
to edge of
window etc., starting
within
6'
Rising moisture will
collect under eaves
4'
6'
6' caulk
zone
2 ft. sq. sheet metal plate on
brick or masonary surface
RTV silicone caulk
WARNING
:
Moisture in the flue gas will condense as it
leaves the vent terminal. In cold weather this condensate can
freeze on the exterior wall, under the eaves and on
surrounding objects. Some discoloration to the exterior of
the building is to be expected. However, improper location
or installation can result in severe damage to the structure
or exterior finish of the building
!
