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  1. #1
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    Default Water heater (combustion air)

    The water heater is located in a designated closet in master bedroom (1997 MFG home factory built this way) The flue pipe is different than I have seen before. I am not sure if the flue pipe is designed to provide combustion air also, or if it's just to provide clearance from combustibles. This is the first time I have come across and installation like this, any help would be much appreciated.

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  2. #2
    A.D. Miller's Avatar
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    Default Re: Water heater (combustion air)

    Quote Originally Posted by Trent Tarter View Post
    The water heater is located in a designated closet in master bedroom (1997 MFG home factory built this way) The flue pipe is different than I have seen before. I am not sure if the flue pipe is designed to provide combustion air also, or if it's just to provide clearance from combustibles. This is the first time I have come across and installation like this, any help would be much appreciated.
    TT: Who is the manufacturer? Do you have more photos?


  3. #3
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    Default Re: Water heater (combustion air)

    The manufacture is State. My concern is combustion air, the closet has no vent openings to provide combustion air unless it is coming from the flue pipe, which I would amagine it is. The water heater is the original factory installed unit.


  4. #4
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    Default Re: Water heater (combustion air)

    Quote Originally Posted by Trent Tarter View Post
    The water heater is located in a designated closet in master bedroom (1997 MFG home factory built this way) The flue pipe is different than I have seen before. I am not sure if the flue pipe is designed to provide combustion air also, or if it's just to provide clearance from combustibles. This is the first time I have come across and installation like this, any help would be much appreciated.
    .
    The water heater could ( should ) have a Minimum 5 inch Dia. hole in the floor (usually under the burner.)
    * solid door construction for combustion air.

    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.

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Water heater (combustion air)

    There are no holes in the floor, unless the water heater is sitting on top of one?


  6. #6
    A.D. Miller's Avatar
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    Default Re: Water heater (combustion air)

    Quote Originally Posted by Trent Tarter View Post
    The manufacture is State. My concern is combustion air, the closet has no vent openings to provide combustion air unless it is coming from the flue pipe, which I would amagine it is. The water heater is the original factory installed unit.
    This should apply:
    http://www.statewaterheaters.com/lit...185874-001.pdf

    What is the unit's age?
    Is it an FVIR?

    I don't see any provisions in State's instructions to eliminate the draft hood as has been done in your photo. I also do not see any language for departure from orthodox combustion air sources.

    I am not familiar with any combination vent and combustion air piping for gas appliances other than for direct vent.

    Wait on the wrench-slingers to arrive and pontificate.


  7. #7
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    Default Re: Water heater (combustion air)

    Quote Originally Posted by Trent Tarter View Post
    There are no holes in the floor, unless the water heater is sitting on top of one?
    .
    Yes.

    See Page 6 for illustration.
    .

    Attached Files Attached Files
    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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    Default Re: Water heater (combustion air)

    Thanks Billy,
    Now it all makes sense, the combustion air opening is most likely below the unit. However I would have to go back and look in the crawlspace to verify that. I guess I know I'm going to be doing later today, the place is only about 5 minutes away and has an outside CSA. Thanks for the help.


  9. #9
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    Default Re: Water heater (combustion air)

    Quote Originally Posted by Trent Tarter View Post

    I'm going to be doing later today, the place is only about 5 minutes away and has an outside CSA. Thanks for the help.
    .
    Maybe someone can ID the Draft Hood.
    * or lack there of.
    .

    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
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    Default Re: Water heater (combustion air)

    If you could tell me the Model # of the unit I can tell you if it is getting is combstion air from somewhere else.


  11. #11
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    Default Re: Water heater (combustion air)

    Looking at that vent it looks like there was a direct vent unit installed originally and some one replaced the heater with a standard unit which is not the correct. The model # by state for a direct vent unit would start with GS6 and end with YBDS. I do wish there was more of overall shot showing all of the vent piping.

    From what I can tell from the picture the vent piping was from Bradford white. http://www.bradfordwhite.com/images/...eets/105-B.pdf The direct vent units bring in fresh air from the larger pipe "INTO" the heater just just above it. As the exhaust gas is vented out the 3" pipe.

    Last edited by Ron Hasil; 07-26-2009 at 04:54 PM. Reason: Add PDF

  12. #12
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    Default Re: Water heater (combustion air)

    I don't have the model number. It appears to the original unit, same year as the home. Another concern was the slight smell of gas when the closet door was opened. The smell quickly dissipated and I could not find any leaks at gas supply lines or at the unit. I am going over to verify that there is a combustion air vent below the unit in crawlspace. I have never seen venting like this with out a draft hood.


  13. #13
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    Default Re: Water heater (combustion air)

    Quote Originally Posted by Trent Tarter View Post
    I don't have the model number. It appears to the original unit, same year as the home. Another concern was the slight smell of gas when the closet door was opened. The smell quickly dissipated and I could not find any leaks at gas supply lines or at the unit. I am going over to verify that there is a combustion air vent below the unit in crawlspace. I have never seen venting like this with out a draft hood.
    AS I pointed out direct vent units do not use a draft hood, the ones with the hole in the floor still use a draft hood.


  14. #14
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    Default Re: Water heater (combustion air)

    Quote Originally Posted by Ron Hasil View Post
    Looking at that vent it looks like there was a direct vent unit installed originally and some one replaced the heater with a standard unit which is not the correct. The model # by state for a direct vent unit would start with GS6 and end with YBDS. I do wish there was more of overall shot showing all of the vent piping.

    From what I can tell from the picture the vent piping was from Bradford white. http://www.bradfordwhite.com/images/...eets/105-B.pdf The direct vent units bring in fresh air from the larger pipe "INTO" the heater just just above it. As the exhaust gas is vented out the 3" pipe.
    Ron,

    State also makes a direct vent water heater similar to that Bradford-White one, but not approved for use in manufactured homes.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  15. #15
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    Default Re: Water heater (combustion air)

    No there was never a direct vent unit installed. The water heater is located near the center of the home and it's a triple wide. I did however go back to take a look in the crawlspace and sure enough there is a combustion air pipe below the unit. My concern now is proper drafting and venting.


  16. #16
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    Default Re: Water heater (combustion air)

    Trent, where is the cold water supply into the water heater?


  17. #17
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    Default Re: Water heater (combustion air)

    Quote Originally Posted by Trent Tarter View Post
    No there was never a direct vent unit installed. The water heater is located near the center of the home and it's a triple wide. I did however go back to take a look in the crawlspace and sure enough there is a combustion air pipe below the unit. My concern now is proper drafting and venting.
    Did you grab the model number of the unit?


  18. #18
    A.D. Miller's Avatar
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    Default Re: Water heater (combustion air)

    Quote Originally Posted by neal lewis View Post
    Trent, where is the cold water supply into the water heater?
    NL: The water supply enters through the sides of these units.


  19. #19
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    Default Re: Water heater (combustion air)

    Cold water supply is at the side of the unit.


  20. #20
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    Default Re: Water heater (combustion air)

    Is there an echo in here?


  21. #21
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    Default Re: Water heater (combustion air)

    I thought in some jurisdictions, a seperate combustion air vent was not req'd for HWT's in closets (by themselves) IF they were less than 40,000 btu's. I'd be concerned about it being located in the closet of a sleeping room though.

    That fitting on top of the hwt is not for the prv is it ?

    Joe Klampfer RHI
    www.myinspection.ca
    Pacific Home Inspections

  22. #22
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    Question what are the marking on the vent?

    You need to correlate the venting with the listed instructions. There are stampings on the right side of the outer casing of the vent as seen in the second pic. If you can find documentation this venting is approved for this unit in this application then it should be allowable. If not, it would need to be called out.

    I'm guessing this is a singlewalled vent with a special close clearance adapter.

    Take pics of the rating plate, vent markings, MUA, etc. BTW, if pulling MUA from under the home, the skirt must have prescribed ventilation openings as well. The intake would need to be accessible for inspection and cleaning the screen. I'd use a mirror to peek up the concentric ring of that vent to see if it isn't an extension of the draft hood.
    Bob

    Last edited by Bob Harper; 07-27-2009 at 11:12 AM.
    Keep the fire in the fireplace.

  23. #23
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    Question Re: Water heater (combustion air)

    It would help to identify the combustion air source (or lack thereof) if we had a photo of the lower section of the tank. The draft hood on top looks abit homemade???

    RJDalga
    http://homeanalysts.com
    Kalamazoo, MI

  24. #24
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    Default Re: Water heater (combustion air)

    Quote Originally Posted by Billy Stephens View Post
    .

    See Page 6 for illustration.
    .
    .
    ...
    .

    Quote Originally Posted by Trent Tarter View Post

    I did however go back to take a look in the crawlspace and sure enough there is a combustion air pipe below the unit.
    .
    ...
    .
    Quote Originally Posted by Robert Dalga View Post
    It would help to identify the combustion air source (or lack thereof) if we had a photo of the lower section of the tank. The draft hood on top looks abit homemade???
    .
    .
    Robert.
    attachment is of page 6.
    .

    Attached Files Attached Files
    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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