8
INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE
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 nished grade in the area of the venting, including
but not limited to decks and porches, the following requirements
shall be satised:
INSTALLATION OF CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS
At the time of installation of the side wall horizontal vented gas
fueled equipment, the installing plumber or gastter 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
gastter 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 qualied 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 oor 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 certied.
SIGNAGE
A metal or plastic identication 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 ue gases, but identies “special venting systems,” the following
requirements shall be satised 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.
VENTING
WARNING
THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS SECTION ON VENTING MUST
BE FOLLOWED TO AVOID CHOKED COMBUSTION OR
RECIRCULATION OF FLUE GASES. SUCH CONDITIONS CAUSE
SOOTING OR RISKS OF FIRE AND ASPHYXIATION.
Heater must be protected from freezing downdrafts during
shutdown periods.