Originally Posted by
william siegel
I also found: These units must remain accessible for service, inspection, and removal (IRC: 1305.1 and UPC:511.0)
Bill,
Do not use those sections ... they do not apply in Florida, however, that same IRC wording is in the Florida Residential Code at 1305.1 - BUT ... Chapter 13 is Mechanical, not Plumbing.
The closest Chapter 26, Plumbing, come to addressing something like this is: (because "plumbing" is basically "piping" and "fixtures", very few "appliances" other than the water heater)
- P2608.2 Installation of materials.
- - All materials used shall be installed in strict accordance with the standards under which the materials are accepted and approved. In the absence of such installation procedures, the manufacturer’s installation instructions shall be followed. Where the requirements of referenced standards or manufacturer’s installation instructions do not conform to the minimum provisions of this code, the provisions of this code shall apply.
The above section is not real helpful as clearance specified for water heaters is rather limited, thus I dropped back to the NEC (because it was an electric water heater and is considered "electrical equipment").
Anything that uses or is connected to electric is considered electrical equipment, and (because of electrical safety) the NEC as the most restrictive access, service and working space requirements.
Here is another example: Mechanical codes and installation instructions only require 24" to 30" clearance at a/c equipment, however, being as they are also electrical equipment, the NEC supersedes at the service access area to the electrical parts with its 30" x 36" working space requirement.
