Should electric water heaters be elevated 18 inches in a garage for safety.

[Mark E. Northrup]

just had a question if electric water heaters should be elevated above 18 inches in a garage for explosive safety due to a spark if the unit is turned on.
thanks for any help
Mark.

[Bob Elliott]

Depends who you ask.
http://www.nachi.org/forum/f22/elect...-heater-50686/

[Mark E. Northrup]

Thanks Bob I think the code is stating that any sparking device that is capable of creating a spark in a flammable area is worth commenting about. It may be a worst case senerio but it can happen. A. O. Smith states nothing about its electric water heaters. But Bradford White States that their unit should not be placed in a flammable gas area. To me that means a garage where a gas can or car can leak fumes. I don't want to be called to court because a fire that was caused by a electric water heater caused it.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Do electric wall outlets, extension cords, refrigerators, freezers or any other electrical devices also need to be elevated 18 inches?

[Mark E. Northrup]

Yes in a garage. HMMMMMMMMMM what does that make you think.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Originally Posted by mnorthrup

Yes in a garage. HMMMMMMMMMM what does that make you think.

I think...If you write up an extension cord or un-elevated refrigerator in a garage you're going to be looking for a new job because word will get out that you're crazy.

[Robert Meier]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

Do electric wall outlets, extension cords, refrigerators, freezers or any other electrical devices also need to be elevated 18 inches?

For a dwelling garage the answer is no. The 18" area above the floor is not considered a hazardous (classified) area by the NEC in a residential garage. A commercial repair garage is a different story and would fall under Article 511.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Originally Posted by Robert Meier

For a dwelling garage the answer is no. The 18" area above the floor is not considered a hazardous (classified) area by the NEC in a residential garage. A commercial repair garage is a different story and would fall under Article 511.

So do you write up electric water heaters in a residential garage sitting on the floor of the garage?

[Chuck Evans]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

So do you write up electric water heaters in a residential garage sitting on the floor of the garage?

I think Robert was responding to your non-water heater related question. Electric water heaters are specifically addressed in the IRC.

[Paul Pendley]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

I think...If you write up an extension cord or un-elevated refrigerator in a garage you're going to be looking for a new job because word will get out that you're crazy.

But those items are not permanent fixtures.

[Robert Meier]

I was responding to, with reference to the NEC:

Originally Posted by jfunderburk
Do electric wall outlets, extension cords, refrigerators, freezers or any other electrical devices also need to be elevated 18 inches?

And the answer is no since the NEC does not consider the area up to 18" above a dwelling garage floor to be a hazardous (classified) area. Does the IRC say something different?

[Chuck Evans]

Originally Posted by Robert Meier

I was responding to, with reference to the NEC:

And the answer is no since the NEC does not consider the area up to 18" above a dwelling garage floor to be a hazardous (classified) area. Does the IRC say something different?

http://www.nachi.org/forum/f22/elect...86/#post652399 and subsequent posts.

As an FYI: Texas inspectors are required to write up electric water heater that are not elevated as deficient. The 18 inch requirement is to the lowest ignition source, not the bottom of the unit.