Thread: Oil fired boiler in garage

Are there any issues or special requirements for an oil fired boiler located in a garage?

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I notice two things: First, it's not elevated. I would think it should be at least 18" off the floor, like water heaters installed in garages, so there is no chance of gasoline fumes being ignited by the furnace burner. Second, there are no protective bollards around it, and I sure wouldn't want a furnace to get bumped by a poorly parked vehicle.
--Welmoed

Originally Posted by Welmoed Sisson

I notice two things: First, it's not elevated. I would think it should be at least 18" off the floor, like water heaters installed in garages, so there is no chance of gasoline fumes being ignited by the furnace burner. Second, there are no protective bollards around it, and I sure wouldn't want a furnace to get bumped by a poorly parked vehicle.
--Welmoed

It appears to me to that there are 3 different levels or steps up from the garage floor to the boiler height. Hard to tell for sure from the photo, if the elevation changes are present they should be close to 18" and they should also serve as protection from vehicles.

.........I don't think those are steps--take a look at the 5-gallon pail. It appears that the 6X6 might be the safety bumper that was being looked for........Greg

Originally Posted by Welmoed Sisson

First, it's not elevated. I would think it should be at least 18" off the floor, ...

The ignition source must be 18" above the floor, how high is the ignition source? (The flame, spark, ignitor, etc.)

Originally Posted by Gregory Booth

.........I don't think those are steps--take a look at the 5-gallon pail. It appears that the 6X6 might be the safety bumper that was being looked for........Greg

You probably are right, I am having a hard time telling if that is an elevation change or if it is just a 6x6. Maybe the OP will enlighten us...

The boiler is sitting on 8 inch concrete blocks which are resting on the floor of the garage. Therefore the ignition source is 8" + the height of the burner above the base of the boiler. (probably not 18" total)

Originally Posted by Ken Amelin

The boiler is sitting on 8 inch concrete blocks which are resting on the floor of the garage. Therefore the ignition source is 8" + the height of the burner above the base of the boiler. (probably not 18" total)

But it "might be" at 18" ... did you measure the lowest component which could be an ignition source?

I look at it from an energy efficiency standpoint. You have a storage tank of hot water in a cold location. None of the pipes connected are insulated.

Originally Posted by Ken Amelin

Are there any issues or special requirements for an oil fired boiler located in a garage?

Other than it simply doesn't belong there?

2011 NFPA 31:

4.3.5 Oil-burning appliances shall not be installed or located in areas where combustible dusts or flamable liquids, gases, or vapors are normally present.


There are a fuster cluck (CF ) of collateral* issues pictured, even if the location were acceptable.

NFPA 31: Standard for the Installation of Oil-Burning Equipment


Curious as to the location of the storage tank.


*(collateral: coinciding in tendency or effect, concomitant or accompanying).

Originally Posted by H.G. Watson, Sr.

Other than it simply doesn't belong there?

2011 NFPA 31:

[SIZE=2]4.3.5 Oil-burning appliances shall not be installed or located in areas where combustible dusts or flamable liquids, gases, or vapors are normally present.

That could be taken as, it could mean, ... above 18" above the garage floor as that is the height for which it has been determined that the fuel/air mixture of gasoline vapors in the garage are not of a dangerous mixture ratio. Thus the space above that would not be a prohibited space - based on that working.

If they did not want them in a garage, they would have said so.

Most oil-burning appliances are located in basements, and many basements are where all the lawn care equipment is kept, which would put the same gasoline storage potential in the basement as would be in a garage, and quite possibly the basement would be worse as the vapors would rise and the basement is under the house, giving the vapors a larger confined space in which to accumulate.

Just supposing ... after all, that section does not say "do not" install oil-burning appliances in garages.

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

That could be taken as, it could mean, ... above 18" above the garage floor as that is the height for which it has been determined that the fuel/air mixture of gasoline vapors in the garage are not of a dangerous mixture ratio. Thus the space above that would not be a prohibited space - based on that working.

If they did not want them in a garage, they would have said so.

Most oil-burning appliances are located in basements, and many basements are where all the lawn care equipment is kept, which would put the same gasoline storage potential in the basement as would be in a garage, and quite possibly the basement would be worse as the vapors would rise and the basement is under the house, giving the vapors a larger confined space in which to accumulate.

Just supposing ... after all, that section does not say "do not" install oil-burning appliances in garages.

Huh???

Hi, ALL &

* More combustion air in that space -due to the fuel being oil, rather than gas...


CHEERS !

What is that white wall to the right of the boiler sheathed with? Drywall? Looks like you have a clearance to combustibles issue off the chimney connector to that wall and possibly the ceiling.

no clean out in chimney

galvanized steel connector in direct contact with masonry chimney--no thimble or ss

chimney does not appear to have a listed liner

Inadequate support of the chimney connector

bullhead tee to barometric damper allowed but not advised or recommended.

Baro. damper should be closer to the appliance

Condensation issue with venting--need combustion analysis to see why

Did you measure for makeup air requirements? What is the input rating of the boiler?

Can't see an isolation valve on the expansion tank.

Cannot make out when blown up but a few other questions you could ask would include:
-approved shutoff at the appliance?
-165F rated fused fuel shutoff?
-water fill have backflow protection with isolation valves?
-low water cutoff?
-120vac service outlet within 25ft?
-switched service light
-appliance electrical disconnect within sight in same room?
-emergency disconnect switch at entrance to room labelled?

Any closer pics of boiler near piping?