furnace in garage

[John Arnold]

Heard an HVAC guy last night, who otherwise sounded like he knew what he was talking about, insisting that a furnace in a garage had to be elevated seven feet above the floor to reduce the risk of igniting gasoline fumes. Anyone know what the heck he was talking about? A couple of us home inspectors suggested minimum 18 inches, but, like I said, he insisted.

[Darren Miller]

John;

He's partially correct (well not really):

M304.5 Public garages; Appliances located in public garages, motor fueling dispensing facilities, repair garages or other areas frequented by motor vehicles, shall be installed a minimun of 8 feet above the floor.....

M304.6 Private garages; Appliances located in private garages and carports shall be installed with a minimum clearance of 6 feet above the floor.
Exception; The requirement of this section shall not apply where the appliances are protected from motor vehicle impact and installed in accordance with section 304.3. (section 304.3 points out the 18 inches)

The public garage has the same exception but it also lists NFPA 30A.


Maybe the guy took the 8 ft (public) and the 6 ft (private) and came up with the average (lol)

[Jerry Peck]

Ditto Darren's post and thinking.

He was 'thinking' vehicle protection and 'speaking' elevation of ignition source.

[John Arnold]

John;

He's partially correct (well not really):

M304.5 Public garages; Appliances located in public garages, motor fueling dispensing facilities, repair garages or other areas frequented by motor vehicles, shall be installed a minimun of 8 feet above the floor.....

M304.6 Private garages; Appliances located in private garages and carports shall be installed with a minimum clearance of 6 feet above the floor.
Exception; The requirement of this section shall not apply where the appliances are protected from motor vehicle impact and installed in accordance with section 304.3. (section 304.3 points out the 18 inches)

The public garage has the same exception but it also lists NFPA 30A.


Maybe the guy took the 8 ft (public) and the 6 ft (private) and came up with the average (lol)

Thanks. I thought it might have something to do with physical protection. But the public garage I didn't consider.

[Markus Keller]

Darren beat me to it. Chicago has the same requirements for public, repair garages.