Gas Hot Water Heater Installation Code

Understanding water heater installation code requirements can be a real pain.

Gas hot water heater installation code.

Pans and drain lines. It is required that the gas and water pipes be bound with wire and clamps in order to ground the system. When a water heater installation is inside a garage texas code requires that a gas water heater must be 18 above the garage floor. When installing a water heater it s important to know about the plumbing code and how it will affect your installation.

For safety water heaters must be vented using a listed and approved venting system that provides adequate size height and draft. Use the manufacturer provided draft hood. Due to various injuries and accidents related to water heaters over the last ten years most cities and counties have adopted either the 2006 2009 or 2012 uniform plumbing code or in the case of california the california plumbing code. Leaks don t have to be disastrous.

Violating these codes may result in fines voiding your warranty or putting your family at risk. Code expert glenn mathewson describes 10 common water heater code issues including confusion about drip pans and drains unsupported expansion tanks and plastic vents lack of combustion air and more. These questions answers about codes standards for venting gas fired water heaters were posted originally at gas fired water heater venting be sure to review the codes and standards given there. The national fuel gas code ansi z223 1 nfpa 54 link to 2012 edition.

It s important that the water heater is installed according to regulations not only because it s required by law but also because it will make your home much safer. If your water heater is on a platform or in an internal area pans and drain lines are required. This is because a gas water heater could become a source of ignition for flammable or combustible vapors such as gasoline that may have accumulated near the garage floor the vapors settle because they are heavier than air. Installing a tank water heater might seem easy but homeowners who refinish their basements often create a number of code violations with respect to the water heater.