Protective bollard (post) for water heater?

**Mike Gault** · 01-16-2010, 02:56 PM

the water heater is located at back left corner of garage and not recessed.

Should they have installed one?

Is the framed wall beside it sufficient protection?

Your rational if you have an opinion too! :-)

New Construction...

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**Jerry Peck** · 01-16-2010, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by Mike Gault

Is the framed wall beside it sufficient protection?

That wall will probably provide MORE protection than some bollards I've seen ...

Yes, that wall will provide sufficient protection.

Think of it this way, if the water heater were on the other side of that wall behind the water heater, and not "in" the garage, which wall would provide the most protection: a) the wall parallel with the direction the car is moving or the wall perpendicular to the direction the car is moving?

The wall parallel with the direction the car is moving will more likely stop the car, while the other wall will be pushed over. At least that is my thinking.

**Mike Gault** · 01-16-2010, 03:34 PM

Thanks Jerry...

That's sort of my thinking as well - especially if they cross braced/blocked the stud wall within; that would be quite stout.

Just don't see it in new construction here, they almost always have the bollard installed, tapped in the concrete with (as you noted) some questionable methods.

**John Goad** · 03-26-2010, 08:50 AM

Our local AHJ is not requiring vehicle impact protection for electric water heaters in garages & say there is nothing about it in the plumbing code.
We are under the 2003 IRC, M1307.3.1 states that "Appliances located in a garage or carport shall be protected from impact by automobiles"
Would this be a misapplication to electric water heaters?

David Bell · 03-26-2010, 03:00 PM

I believe as it is built a bollard would be needed, however if a door was installed the space would be a mechanical closet and no bollard would be needed.

**Scott Patterson** · 03-26-2010, 03:27 PM

This was from an inspection this week, the AHJ approved this bollard. It does noting to protect the gas line.

**John Goad** · 03-26-2010, 08:18 PM

Our local AHJ is not requiring vehicle impact protection for electric water heaters in garages & say there is nothing about it in the plumbing code.
We are under the 2003 IRC, M1307.3.1 states that "Appliances located in a garage or carport shall be protected from impact by automobiles"
Would this be a misapplication to electric water heaters?

**Scott Patterson** · 03-27-2010, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by John Goad

Our local AHJ is not requiring vehicle impact protection for electric water heaters in garages & say there is nothing about it in the plumbing code.
We are under the 2003 IRC, M1307.3.1 states that "Appliances located in a garage or carport shall be protected from impact by automobiles"
Would this be a misapplication to electric water heaters?

A water heater is an appliance, gas or electric it does not make any difference.