block support for furnace - InspectionNews

Jeff Eastman · #1 (**permalink**) 06-05-2007, 03:13 PM

........

Bruce Breedlove · #2 (**permalink**) 06-05-2007, 03:19 PM

Does your camera have a flash?

Rick Cantrell · #3 (**permalink**) 06-05-2007, 04:05 PM

Wood blocks are acceptable, as is plywood.
Unless your local codes disallow them.

Bruce Breedlove · #4 (**permalink**) 06-05-2007, 04:14 PM

Ooops. My bad. For some reason I couldn't see anything in your image at first. Sorry 'bout that.

Jerry Peck · #5 (**permalink**) 06-05-2007, 10:12 PM

Depends ...

Is that furnace allowed to be installed in the horizontal position?

What is the minimum clearance from the furnace to combustible material? I am presuming it is gas fired and not just electric resistance heat, as you referred to it as a 'furnace'.

Does 'resting on' constitute 'shall be fastened or anchored in an approved manner''?

From the IRC.
M1307.2 Anchorage of appliances.

Appliances designed to be fixed in position shall be fastened or anchored in an approved manner. In Seismic Design Categories D1 and D2, water heaters shall be anchored or strapped to resist horizontal displacement caused by earthquake motion. Strapping shall be at points within the upper one-third and lower one-third of the appliance’s vertical dimensions. At the lower point, the strapping shall maintain a minimum distance of 4 inches (102 mm) above the controls.

Thom Walker · #6 (**permalink**) 06-05-2007, 10:57 PM

I am assuming by the picture that it's a furnace. In any event, no it cannot just sit on the blocks. It must be secured.

God, I hate it when I want to pontificate and can't back it up! I was going to expound with my great knowledge about how the attic decking appeared to be inadequate. I was going to cite how the service platform and access path must be 3/4 plywood, yadayada, and I can't find any reference at all. Where did I get that from?

Jerry Peck · #7 (**permalink**) 06-06-2007, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thom Walker

Where did I get that from?

Just good old common sense?

Richard Stanley · #8 (**permalink**) 06-06-2007, 07:38 AM

503.1 Tables
Minimum 5/8" - 16" OC joist
Minimum 3/4" - 24" OC joist

M1305.1.3 - ...The passageway shall have continuous solid flooring in accordance with chapter 5 ....

Jerry Peck · #9 (**permalink**) 06-06-2007, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Stanley

503.1 Tables
Minimum 5/8" - 16" OC joist
Minimum 3/4" - 24" OC joist

M1305.1.3 - ...The passageway shall have continuous solid flooring in accordance with chapter 5 ....

Wrong Table, that is for lumber.

Go to Table R503.2.1(1) for structural panels.

You might be able to use 3/8", more likely 7/16", but 1/2" should more than suffice.

Richard Stanley · #10 (**permalink**) 06-06-2007, 04:52 PM

Lumber. So. Your post correct maybe, but, If I see anything less than 5/8", I call it. Any thing less than that bends and creaks when I walk on it. If a service person is moving equipment on it, there will be trouble. Most often I find 3/8" or 7/16" sheathing plainly stamped "not rated for flooring" - which means that it is also installed upsidedown because it is also stamped "this side down". I do not interpret that as SOLID flooring.

Richard Stanley · #11 (**permalink**) 06-07-2007, 06:31 AM

Apparently we all got it from some CE class, somewhere, from someone. It's ok - this is Texas and we can do that here!

Jerry Peck · #12 (**permalink**) 06-09-2007, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warren Alderman

I see furnaces on wood blocks, always looked okay to me...but I'm willing to be recalibrated!

What is the minimum clearance to combustible material ... 6"?