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The operation of exhaust fans, kitchen ventilation fans,
clothes dryers, or fireplaces could create a NEGATIVE
PRESSURE CONDITION at the furnace. Make-up air MUST
be provided for the ventilation devices, in addition to that
required by the furnace.
All fuel-burning equipment must be supplied with air for combus-
tion of the fuel. Sufficient air MUST be provided to ensure there
will not be a negative pressure in the equipment room or space. In
addition, a positive seal MUST be made between the furnace
cabinet and the return-air duct to avoid pulling air from the burner
area and blocked vent safeguard opening.
The requirements for combustion and ventilation air depend upon
whether the furnace is located in an unconfined or confined space.
UNCONFINED SPACE — An unconfined space must have at
least 50 cu ft for each 1000 Btuh of input for all the appliances
(such as furnaces, clothes dryer, water heaters, etc.) in the space.
If the unconfined space is of unusually tight construction, air for
combustion and ventilation MUST come from either the outdoors
or spaces freely communicating with the outdoors. Combustion
and ventilation openings must be sized the same as for a confined
space as defined below. Return air must not be taken from the
room unless an equal or greater amount of air is supplied to the
room.
CONFINED SPACE
A confined space is defined as a space whose volume is less than
50 cu ft per 1000 Btuh of total input ratings of all appliances
installed in that space. A confined space MUST have provisions
for supplying air for combustion, ventilation, and dilution of flue
gases using 1 of the following methods. (See Fig. 3, 4, and Table
2.)
NOTE: In determining free area of an opening, the blocking
effect of louvers, grilles, and screens must be considered. If free
area of louver or grille design is unknown, assume that wood
louvers have a 20 percent free area and metal louvers or grilles
have a 60 percent free area. Screens, when used, must not be
smaller than 1/4-in. mesh. Louvers and grilles must be constructed
so they cannot be closed.
The size of the openings depends upon whether air comes from
outside of the structure or an unconfined space inside the structure.
1. All air from inside the structure requires 2 openings (for
structures not usually tight):
a. Each opening MUST have at least 1 sq in. of free area per
1000 Btuh of total input for all equipment within the
confined space, but not less than 100 sq in. per opening.
(See Fig. 3 and Table 2.) The minimum dimension of air
openings shall not be less than 3 in.
b. If building is constructed unusually tight, a permanent
opening directly communicating with the outdoors shall be
provided. See item 2 below.
c. If furnace is installed on a raised platform to provide a
return-air plenum, and return air is taken directly from
hallway or space adjacent to furnace, all air for combustion
must come from outdoors.
2. Air from outside the structure requires 1 of the following
methods:
a. If combustion air is taken from outdoors through 2 vertical
ducts, the openings and ducts MUST have at least 1 sq in.
of free area per 4000 Btuh of total input for all equipment
within the confined space. (See Fig. 4 and Table 2.)
b. If combustion air is taken from outdoors through 2 hori-
zontal ducts, the openings and ducts MUST have at least 1
sq in. of free area per 2000 Btuh of total input for all
equipment within the confined space. (See Fig. 4 and Table
2.)
c. If combustion air is taken from outdoors through a single
opening or duct (horizontal or vertical) commencing within
12 in. of the top of the confined space, opening and duct
MUST have at least 1 sq in. of free area per 3000 Btuh of
the total input for all equipment within the confined space
and not less than the sum of the areas of all vent connectors
in the confined space. (See Fig. 4 and Table 2.) Equipment
clearances to the structure shall be at least 1 in. from the
sides and back and 6 in. from the front of the appliances.
When ducts are used, they must be of the same cross-sectional area
as the free area of the openings to which they connect. The
minimum dimension of ducts must not be less than 3 in. (See Fig.
4.)
AIR DUCTS
Step 1—General Requirements
The duct system should be designed and sized according to
accepted national standards such as those published by: Air
Conditioning Contractors Association (ACCA), Sheet Metal and
Air Conditioning Contractors National Association (SMACNA) or
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning
Engineers (ASHRAE). Or consult factory The Air Systems Design
Guidelines reference tables available from your local distributor.
The duct system should be sized to handle the required system
design CFM at the design static pressure.
When a furnace is installed so that the supply ducts carry air to
areas outside the space containing the furnace, the return air must
also be handled by a duct(s) sealed to the furnace casing and
terminating outside the space containing the furnace.
Secure ductwork with proper fasteners for type of ductwork used.
Seal supply- and return-duct connections to furnace with code
approved tape or duct sealer.
Flexible connections should be used between ductwork and
furnace to prevent transmission of vibration. Ductwork passing
through unconditioned space should be insulated to enhance
system performance. When air conditioning is used, a vapor
barrier is recommended.
Maintain a 1-in. clearance from combustible materials to supply air
ductwork for a distance of 36 in. horizontally from the furnace. See
NFPA 90B or local code for further requirements.
Step 2—Ductwork Acoustical Treatment
Metal duct systems that do not have a 90 degree elbow and 10 ft
of main duct to the first branch take-off may require internal
acoustical lining. As an alternative, fibrous ductwork may be used
if constructed and installed in accordance with the latest edition of
SMACNA construction standard on fibrous glass ducts. Both
acoustical lining and fibrous ductwork shall comply with NFPA
90B as tested by UL Standard 181 for Class 1 Rigid air ducts.
For Example:
58ZAV FURNACE
INPUT BTUH
MINIMUM SQ FT
WITH
7-1/2 FT CEILING
46,000 307
69,000 460
92,000 613
115,000 767
135,000 920
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