8. Locate and guard vent termination to prevent acci-
dental contact by people or pets.
9. DO NOT terminate vent in window well, stairwell,
alcove, courtyard or other recessed area.
10. DO NOT terminate above any door, window, or
gravity air intake. Condensate can freeze, causing
ice formations.
11. Locate or guard vent to prevent condensate from
damaging exterior finishes. Use a rust-resistant
sheet metal backing plate against brick or mason-
ry surfaces.
12. DO NOT extend exposed vent pipe outside of
building. Condensate could freeze and block vent
pipe.
U.S. Installations
Refer to the latest edition of the National Fuel Gas
Code.
Vent termination requirements are as follows:
1. Vent must terminate at least 4 ft below, 4 ft hori-
zontally from or 1 ft above any door, window or
gravity air inlet to the building.
2. The vent must not be less than 7 ft above grade
when located adjacent to public walkways.
3. Terminate vent at least 3 ft above any forced air
inlet located within 10 ft.
4. Vent must terminate at least 4 ft horizontally, and
in no case above or below unless 4 ft horizontal
distance is maintained, from electric meters, gas
meters, regulators, and relief equipment.
Combustion
Air Supply
Exhaust
Configuration
Heater Venting
Category
Certified
Materials
Combustion Air
Inlet Material
Vertical Natural
Draft Venting
I “B” Vent
From Inside Building
Horizontal Through-
the-Wall Venting
III
Stainless Steel
(Gas Tight)
Vertical Natural
Draft Venting
I “B” Vent
From Outside Building
Horizontal Through-
the-Wall Venting
III
Stainless Steel
(Gas Tight)
Galvanized Steel
PVC
ABS
CPVC
Use insulated vent pipe spacers where the vent pass-
es through combustible roofs and walls.
Vent Terminal Location
1. Condensate can freeze on the vent cap. Frozen
condensate on the vent cap can result in a blocked
flue condition.
2. Give special attention to the location of the vent
termination to avoid possibility of property dam-
age or personal injury.
3. Gases may form a white vapor plume in winter.
The plume could obstruct a window view if the ter-
mination is installed near windows.
4. Prevailing winds, in combination with below-freez-
ing temperatures, can cause freezing of
condensate and water/ice build-up on buildings,
plants or roofs.
5. The bottom of the vent terminal and the air intake
shall be located at least 12 in. above grade, includ-
ing normal snow line.
6. Un-insulated single-wall metal vent pipe shall not
be used outdoors in cold climates for venting gas-
fired equipment.
7. Through-the-wall vents for Category II and IV
appliances and non-categorized condensing appli-
ances shall not terminate over public walkways or
over an area where condensate or vapor could
create a nuisance or hazard or could be detrimen-
tal to the operation of regulators, relief valves, or
other equipment. Where local experience indi-
cates that condensate is a problem with Category
I and III appliances, this provision shall also apply.
Table K: Venting Category Requirements
26