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space shall be considered in making this determina-
tion. Each opening shall have a minimum free area of
1 in.
2
per 1,000 BTUH (2,225 mm
2
per kW) of the total
input rating of all gas utilization equipment in the con-
fined space, but not less than 100 in.
2
(645 cm
2
). One
opening shall commence within 12 in. (305 mm) of the
top, and one opening shall commence within 12 in.
(305 mm) of the bottom of the enclosure. The mini-
mum dimension of air openings shall be not less than
3 in. (76 mm) in any direction.
All Air from Outdoors
The confined space shall communicate with the out-
doors in accordance with one of the methods below.
The minimum dimension of air openings shall not be
less than 3 in. (76 mm) in any direction. Where ducts
are used, they shall be of the same cross-sectional
area as the net free area of the openings to which they
connect.
1. Two permanent openings, one commencing
within 12 in. (305 mm) of the top, and one com-
mencing within 12 in. (305 mm) of the bottom of
the enclosure, shall be provided. The openings
shall communicate directly, or by ducts, with the
outdoors or spaces (crawl or attic) that freely com-
municate with the outdoors.
a. Where directly communicating with the out-
doors or where communicating to the
outdoors through vertical ducts, each opening
shall have a minimum free area of 1 in.
2
per
4,000 BTUH (550 mm
2
per kW) of total input
rating of all equipment in the enclosure.
b. Where communicating with the outdoors
through horizontal ducts, each opening shall
have a minimum free area of 1 in.
2
per 2,000
BTUH (1,100 mm
2
per kW) of total input rat-
ing of all equipment in the enclosure.
2. One permanent opening, commencing within 12
in. (305 mm) of the top of the enclosure, shall be
permitted where the equipment has clearances of
at least 1 in. (25 mm) from the sides and back and
6 in. (152 mm) from the front of the appliance. The
opening shall directly communicate with the out-
doors or shall communicate through a vertical or
horizontal duct to the outdoors or spaces that
freely communicate with the outdoors, and shall
have a minimum free area of:
a. 1 in.
2
per 3,000 BTUH (740 mm
2
per kW) of
the total input rating of all equipment located in
the enclosure, and
b. Not less than the sum of the areas of all vent
connectors in the confined space.
WARNING: Do not use one permanent opening
method if the equipment room is under negative
pressure conditions or the equipment is common
vented with other gas-fired appliances.
1. Ventilation of the space occupied by the heater
shall be provided by an opening(s) for ventilation
air at the highest practical point communicating
with the outdoors. The total cross-sectional area of
such an opening(s) shall be at least 10% of the
area required in 2. and 3. (below), but in no case
shall the cross-sectional area be less than 10 in.
2
(65 cm
2
).
2. For heaters using a barometric damper in the vent
system there shall be a permanent air supply
opening(s) having a cross section area of not less
than 1 in.
2
per 7,000 BTUH (320 mm
2
per kW) up
to and including 1 million BTUH, plus 1 in.
2
per
14,000 BTUH (160 mm
2
per kW) in excess of 1
million BTUH. This opening(s) shall be either
located at or ducted to a point not more than 18 in.
(450 mm) nor less than 6 in. (152 mm) above the
floor level. The duct can also “goose neck” through
the roof. The duct is preferred to be straight down
and terminated 18 in. (450 mm) from the floor, but
not near piping. This air supply opening require-
ment shall be in addition to the air opening for
ventilation air required in 1. (above).
3. For heaters not using a barometric damper in the
vent system, and when air supply is provided by
natural air flow from outdoors for a power burner
and there is no draft regulator, drafthood or similar
flue gas dilution device installed in the same
space, in addition to the opening for ventilation air
required in 1., there shall be a permanent air sup-
ply opening(s) having a total cross-sectional area
CAUTION: All combustion air must be drawn from
the air outside of the building; the mechanical equip-
ment room must communicate directly with the
outdoors.
Canadian Installations
WARNING: Care must be taken to ensure that the
equipment room is not under negative pressure
conditions or that the equipment is not common-
vented with other gas-fired appliances.
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