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InstallatIon requIreMents for the coMMonwealth of Massachusetts
coMMonwealth of Massachusetts
For all side wall terminated, horizontally vented power vent, direct
vent, and power direct vent gas fueled water heaters 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:
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 gasfitter 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 sidewall 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.
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.
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 that during said thirty (30) day period, a battery operated
carbon monoxide detector with an alarm shall be installed.
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 CSA certified.
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.”
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.
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.
Manufacturer requIreMents - Gas
equIpMent ventInG sYsteM provIded
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:
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.
Manufacturer requIreMents - Gas
equIpMent ventInG sYsteM not provIded
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:
1. The referenced “special venting system” 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.
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.
