Is there a minimum width requirement for protection of gas equipment such that a post is not required. Basically, if an opening is 3 feet I know a car can't hit the stuff. 4 ft ? Probably not. This opening is 6 feet... How wide is a Geo Metro anyway?

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Couldn't the bollard be installed when they raise the equipment the required 18 inches off the garage floor?

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It Might have Choked Artie But it ain't gone'a choke Stymie!
Billy J. Stephens HI Service
Memphis TN.

Billy,

Pretty much what I was thinking.

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The apostrophe troll.

If it is a sealed burner, it is not required to be 18" off of the floor.

BTW...

Where does a sealed burner unit get it's combustion air from? Seems to me that the combustion air would have to come from around the burner area, which would negate the allowance to be on the floor.

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Integrity Inspection Service, LLC
www.irsindy.com
(317) 345-1828

From State Water Heaters Technical Reference:

On July 1, 2003, all residential gas water heater manufacturers introduced 30, 40 and 50-gallon atmospheric models with "Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistant" design. Every manufacturer's design must meet standards and protocols established by the American National Standards Institute (ANS Z21.10.1). And, while all manufacturers' designs are unique in some respects, all incorporate the following features:

• A Flame Arrestor, located beneath the burner, designed to permit combustion air to flow up through it to sustain combustion, but to prevent flames from escaping downward through it in the event of flammable vapor ignition.
• A Thermal Cutoff switch (TCO), designed to shut the unit down when it senses excessive temperatures caused by inadequate combustion air inside the combustion chamber

Dom.

Page from AO Smith Installation manual . (bottom left paragraph. )

Does not instill confidence with this type of install.

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184165-003.pdf (61.5 KB, 46 views)

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It Might have Choked Artie But it ain't gone'a choke Stymie!
Billy J. Stephens HI Service
Memphis TN.

It is too bad that the code does provide actual dimensional requirements instead of leaving the requirement in the grey area. I just tell people that it looks like smaller car's could hit the gas appliances, and recommend a bollard/ protective device when that is the case.

So basically, even though it is designed to prevent a flashback of ignitable vapors, they do not recommend installation in the same area where flamable liquids / vapors are present (aka garages).

Maybe I will start recommending 18" elevation for sealed burners to comply with installation directions.

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Integrity Inspection Service, LLC
www.irsindy.com
(317) 345-1828

Although I understand what you mean, that isn't necessarily what is written.

They state "not to store or use flammable liquids/vapors near the appliance".

Dom.

Actually, what it says is ("it" being the link Billy provided): (underlining is mine)

Also, the water heater must be located and/or protected so it is not subject to physical damage by a moving vehicle.

To me, that says 'Yeah, this water heater meets the exception which allows it to not have to be raised 18" above the garage floor - but - you really should not install this water heater in garages, and, if you do, our attorneys can point to the warnings on this page to make you go away for less money because you did not heed those warnings and installed it in a garage anyway'.

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Jerry Peck, Construction / Litigation Consultant
Construction Litigation Consultants, LLC ( www.ConstructionLitigationConsultants.com )

Sorry Jerry, I disagree.

"It" doesn't say "do not install the water heater near those items".

"It" does say "do not store those items near the heater".

There is a difference.

Dom.

.
Or Used in the same vicinty.

Do you own an electric car ?

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It Might have Choked Artie But it ain't gone'a choke Stymie!
Billy J. Stephens HI Service
Memphis TN.

Dom,

Read what it says, I'll even underline DIFFERENT parts for you.

That's telling you 'Hey, DUMMY, *IF YOU PUT THAT IN THAT GARAGE* ... the following things might just happen to you.'

"designed to reduce the chances", not 'eliminate' the risk, just *reduce* the chances.

Now let's get to the real important part ...

"INSTALLATIONS IN AREAS WHERE FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS (VAPORS) ARE LIKELY TO BE PRESENT OR STORED (GARAGES ... gasoline and other flammable substances should never be stored or used in the same vicinity or area containing a gas water heater or other open flame or spark producing appliance."

Okay, now what that is saying, and this is not me making it up ... IF YOU INSTALL THIS GAS WATER HEATER IN A GARAGE ... YOU SHOULD NEVER PARK YOUR CAR IN THE GARAGE ... after all, *there is gasoline stored in the car's gas tank*.

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Jerry Peck, Construction / Litigation Consultant
Construction Litigation Consultants, LLC ( www.ConstructionLitigationConsultants.com )

Jerry,

For someone (*yourself*) that so often likes to quote EXACTLY what is written, I am always amazed when you add your own interpretations & ideas and then try to justify them.

You can Cut, Paste, Underline, & Bold all day long, because I know you feel compelled to thrash me to see things *your way* for another 72 posts.

Dom.

In my reports that is not an approved installation. The plumber and HVAC guy can override me if they like.

That's what I'm trying to get to you to do, read what is written, "EXACTLY what is written", then you will, or, should I say, 'should' understand that it says for installation in which you install that in garages, you "should never" store "gasoline" in the same vicinity or area.

Now, if the water heater is in *the garage*, what else do you suppose is stored in the garage and which gasoline is stored in?

Any ideas?

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Jerry Peck, Construction / Litigation Consultant
Construction Litigation Consultants, LLC ( www.ConstructionLitigationConsultants.com )

I never said not to store flammables liquids near the appliance. That's a given.

I was pointing out your claim that the unit shouldn't be installed in certain areas, which is not true, in fact it's the other way around.

Confused? Well I'm not, and this thread bores me now.

Thanks guys... I'm bored now too. So, does anyone have an answer to the original question. Brandon eluded to it but nobody has really come out and answered it.

Is there a minimum alcove width that eliminates the requirement to have a post? Or, are we just supposed to measure across our hoods and hope for the best?

I have asked clients if they had small cars in the past, and told them to measure and decide from there.....sorry Matt, that's all I got.