36
Venting
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Venting for Direct-Vent Water Heater (cont.)
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:
5.08: Modifications to NFPA–54, Chapter 10
(1) Revise NFPA–54 section 10.5.4.2 by adding a second
exception as follows:
Existing chimneys shall be permitted to have their use
continued when a gas conversion burner is installed,
and shall be equipped with a manual reset device that
will automatically shut off the gas to the burner in the
event of a sustained back-draft.
(2) Revise 10.8.3 by adding the following additional
requirements:
(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.
(c) MANUFACTURER REQUIREMENTS – GAS
EQUIPMENT VENTING SYSTEM PROVIDED. When
the manufacturer of product-approved side-wall,
horizontally vented, gas-fueled 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:
1. Detailed instructions for the installation of the venting
system design or the venting system components; and
2. A complete parts list for the venting system design or
venting system.
(d) MANUFACTURER REQUIREMENTS – GAS
EQUIPMENT VENTING SYSTEM NOT PROVIDED.
When the manufacturer of 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:
1. The referenced “special venting systems” 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 instructions shall remain with the appliance or
equipment at the completion of the installation.
