Originally Posted by
Darren Miller
Bob:
OK; you do an inspection and call out a water heater vent needs a straight section of pipe attached to the draft hood.
The seller then calls a licensed plumber who tells her, the inspector is wrong, It is not a code issue; manufactures RECOMMEND it be installed this way but it's not REQUIRED. She then calls her local AHJ who backs up the plumber.
Oh, by the way, here's my bill for a $175.00 service call.
Seller then calls you looking for $175.00 because you believe in the HI foke lore.
Hey; I'm all for calling ANYTHING out if it's wrong. However, I need back-up, (code requirements or manufactures REQUIREMENTS, not suggestions).
Darren
Perhaps I wasn't long-winded enough in my post.
I do not believe in the HI folklore, I believe in the laws of fluid flow and thermodynamics.
From Gunner's post:
AmeriVent:
"Wherever possible, install vertical vents directly above
appliances before beginning any lateral runs. "
Some of the vent manufacturers give what could be called a recommendation or preference for putting a straight vent section above the draft hood. I explained (or tried to) why this is A Good Thing.
The issue you make of the financial liability is a good one, and I did not think of it. I would still call it out, as a recommendation, in the case where having a vertical section is possible, but I would explicitly say that the code "probably" does not require it.
You make an important distinction between requirements and recommendations. I believe that the recommendation is significant enough to mention, and, thanks to your post, I would make it clear that it is a recommendation and not a requirement. I can understand if another inspector would not mention it at all.
- BOB