7
When directly communicating with the outdoors,
A.
each opening shall have a minimum free area
of 1 square inch per 4,000 BTU per hour of total
input rating of all equipment in the enclosure. See
figure #2.
When communicating with the outdoors by means
B.
of vertical ducts, each opening shall have a
minimum free area 1 square inch per 4,000 BTU
per hour of total input rating of all appliances in the
enclosed space. See figure #3.
If horizontal ducts are used, each opening shall
C.
have a minimum free area 1 square inch per 2,000
BTU per hour total input rating of all appliances in
the enclosed space. See figure #4.
When ducts are used, they shall be of the same
D.
cross sectional area as the free area of the area of
the openings to which they connect. The minimum
dimension of rectangular air ducts shall not be less
than 3 inches.
VENTILATION & COMBUSTION AIR
In calculating free area using louvers, grills or screens
6.
for the above, consideration shall be given to their
blocking effect. Screens used shall not be smaller than
¼ inch mesh. If the free area through a design of
louver or grill is known, it should be used in calculating
the size opening required to provide the free area
specified. If the design and free area is not known,
it may be assumed that wood louvers will have 20-
25% free area and metal louvers and grills will have
60-75% free area. Louvers and grills shall be fixed in
the open position or interlocked with the boiler so that
they are opened automatically during boiler operation.
Refer to the c
ombustion
air r
equirements
chart on
previous page for combustion air minimum opening
requirements.
Figure #1
