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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Western Montana
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    Default Furnace B-vent thru bedroom closet

    B-vent from furnace and water heater pass through a bedroom closet on way from basement to attic. I can find a couple of other similar posts on this question. One prior response was that gas venting could not pass through habitable spaces (sounds like someone made that one up on the spot). This one has fire stop supports at floor and ceiling in the closet, and even a support brace halfway up the wall.

    Of course, the bottom line is clearance to combustibles. Heck, we even require clearance for light bulbs in closets. But, to make a point, you could even just stretch window screening around the vent to make sure that clothes don't get stacked directly up against the vent.

    But aside from the clearance question, I could not find in the IRC any statement that a b-vent could not pass through a room or closet. Does it have to pass from lower levels to upper level inside a chase? Would appreciate it if anyone can find a code reference.

    Oh, and don't bother to refer me to my local inspector, we don't have any.

    Oh, and by the way. I have to be honest and tell you that I have a gas vent from a heater in my basement family room that passes up through the pantry closet in my kitchen. Other than being an annoying obstacle, I haven't done anything about it.

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Plano, Texas
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    Default Re: Furnace B-vent thru bedroom closet

    One inch clearance to combustibles on B-vent. About the only way to ensure meeting that is to enclose it with a chase of some sort.

    Jim Luttrall
    www.MrInspector.net
    Plano, Texas

  3. #3
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    Mar 2007
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    Western Montana
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    Default Re: Furnace B-vent thru bedroom closet

    It makes sense to me to enclose it in a chase, for many reasons. Can't think of why the builder didn't do it, wouldn't have taken much.

    Did find one other thread
    http://www.inspectionnews.net/home_i...e-bedroom.html

    HG said, "I also had a note about vents serving fuel gas mechanicals from either the mechanical or fuel gas code ammendments for PPR BD:

    Enclosure and Support. Portions of venting systems which extend through occupied and storage spaces shall be enclosed to avoid contact with or damage to the installation."


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
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    Pittsburgh, PA
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    Default Re: Furnace B-vent thru bedroom closet

    Are you shure that is B-vent pipe. It looks more like 6" round duct piping, maybe feeding an vent in an above room.


  5. #5
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    Aug 2007
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    Memphis TN.
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    Default Re: Furnace B-vent thru bedroom closet

    Quote Originally Posted by William McElheny View Post
    Are you shure that is B-vent pipe. It looks more like 6" round duct piping, maybe feeding an vent in an above room.
    My SWAG is combustion air supply or the WH & Furnace in the basement.

    It Might have Choked Artie But it ain't gone'a choke Stymie! Our Gang " The Pooch " (1932)
    Billy J. Stephens HI Service Memphis TN.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
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    Chicago
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    Default Re: Furnace B-vent thru bedroom closet

    9. Enclosures. Any portion of the vent which passes through an occupied
    area must be enclosed, to prevent accidental damage to the system, as well as
    burns.

    Right. And who does that? Nobody I have seen. I also believe there is supposed to be access to the vent which would require a door of sorts to the enclosure. Good luck with that, too.

    That said, as noted, it doesn't look like a B vent anyway.

    Mike Lamb
    Inspection Connection, Inc.
    http://www.inspection2020.com/

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Furnace B-vent thru bedroom closet

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike Lamb View Post
    9. Enclosures. Any portion of the vent which passes through an occupied
    area must be enclosed, to prevent accidental damage to the system, as well as
    burns.

    Right. And who does that? Nobody I have seen. I also believe there is supposed to be access to the vent which would require a door of sorts to the enclosure. Good luck with that, too.

    That said, as noted, it doesn't look like a B vent anyway.
    Its a Fresh Air Duct ( not a Vent. )

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    Last edited by Billy Stephens; 06-18-2013 at 07:06 PM.
    It Might have Choked Artie But it ain't gone'a choke Stymie! Our Gang " The Pooch " (1932)
    Billy J. Stephens HI Service Memphis TN.

  8. #8
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    Jul 2008
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    Utah
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    Default Re: Furnace B-vent thru bedroom closet

    Quote Originally Posted by Billy Stephens View Post
    Its a Fresh Air Duct ( not a Vent. )
    Wow Billy, where'd you get that sketch? It looks very wrong with that trap at the bottom.


  9. #9
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    Default Re: Furnace B-vent thru bedroom closet

    Quote Originally Posted by Rod Butler View Post
    Wow Billy, where'd you get that sketch? It looks very wrong with that trap at the bottom.
    https://www.google.com/search?q=FRES...w=1016&bih=618

    It Might have Choked Artie But it ain't gone'a choke Stymie! Our Gang " The Pooch " (1932)
    Billy J. Stephens HI Service Memphis TN.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Utah
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    Default Re: Furnace B-vent thru bedroom closet

    Quote Originally Posted by Billy Stephens View Post
    Thanks for the follow up. Just for the record, there is no way I would ever approve a combustion air duct installation like that. The trap in the bottom is a perfect place for debris, socks, pets, critters, etc., to nest and subsequently plug. I suspect that is for some very cold and remote area that has come up with that design to reduce infiltration during the cold months but it is wrong regardless of any code.


  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Chicago
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    Default Re: Furnace B-vent thru bedroom closet

    This was in my library. It looks IRC but I'm not sure where I got it
    .Combustion Air Attic.jpg

    Mike Lamb
    Inspection Connection, Inc.
    http://www.inspection2020.com/

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Memphis TN.
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    Default Re: Furnace B-vent thru bedroom closet

    Quote Originally Posted by Rod Butler View Post
    Thanks for the follow up. Just for the record, there is no way I would ever approve a combustion air duct installation like that. The trap in the bottom is a perfect place for debris, socks, pets, critters, etc., to nest and subsequently plug. I suspect that is for some very cold and remote area that has come up with that design to reduce infiltration during the cold months but it is wrong regardless of any code.
    Come on Fellows there are Other Fuels for Furnaces than Gas.

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    It Might have Choked Artie But it ain't gone'a choke Stymie! Our Gang " The Pooch " (1932)
    Billy J. Stephens HI Service Memphis TN.

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