International Association of Certified Home Inspectors
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| HVAC Topics include heating, venting, and air conditioning. |
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#1
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If a furnace is installed in a bedroom closet and the closet is properly vented to the attic and crawlspace is there any other code reference prohibiting this? I have a PG&E (gas utility) guy saying it is OK, even though the door isn't even sealed tightly.
"An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field" Niels Bohr "Learn all you can from the mistakes of others. You won't have time to make them all yourself" Alfred Sheinwold
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#2
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What type of furnace Ralph?
Is there a water heater in the space too? "Never underestimate the difficulty of changing false beliefs by facts." |
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#3
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It's a forced air furnace with an induced draft fan. I researched an install a while ago with a high efficiency unit in a bedroom closet with a sealed external air supply and I had a HVAC contractor tell me that you could not have any furnace in a bedroom closet due to "storage habits of the occupants" (if my memory serves me correctly). I can't find any code reference for this though.
No water heater, but there is no phisical separation between storage space and the furnace Thanks "An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field" Niels Bohr "Learn all you can from the mistakes of others. You won't have time to make them all yourself" Alfred Sheinwold
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#4
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Please Note:
jbushart is a non-member guest and is in no way affiliated with InterNACHI or its members.
It cannot be located in a bedroom closet if it is receiving its combustion air from the bedroom. IRC G2406.2
Check your local ordinances for a more restrictive interpretation. |
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#5
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"An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field" Niels Bohr "Learn all you can from the mistakes of others. You won't have time to make them all yourself" Alfred Sheinwold
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#6
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Please Note:
jbushart is a non-member guest and is in no way affiliated with InterNACHI or its members.
The return air (if that is what the grill on the floor represents) must be a minimum of 10 feet from the firebox.
Write it up. I would not get too hung up on the proximity to the bedroom if all other factors (appropriate spacing, separate source of combustion air, etc) were met. Think about "efficiency apartments", for example, where the entire area can be considered a bedroom (except the bath). |
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#7
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That's just wrong Ralph. Recommend corrections by a qualified HVAC contractor.
"Never underestimate the difficulty of changing false beliefs by facts." |
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#8
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The seller is saying the utility company came out today and said the furnace install is just fine. I finally had to get curt with her and say goodbye. She is acusing me of slandering her house
"An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field" Niels Bohr "Learn all you can from the mistakes of others. You won't have time to make them all yourself" Alfred Sheinwold
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#9
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Please Note:
jbushart is a non-member guest and is in no way affiliated with InterNACHI or its members.
Quote:
You have been contracted to provide an opinion regarding the current conditions of the systems within the home. There is no such thing as "slander" in providing an opinion you were asked to give. If you screw up and refer to code, you are at the mercy of the local AHJ to agree or disagree with you. Don't do it. |
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#10
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Ralph, is there any chance the white grille on the floor in front of the furnace is the combustion air source?
"Never underestimate the difficulty of changing false beliefs by facts." |
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#11
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#12
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Quote:
My main concern was if there is a general code restriction to having the furnace in a storage closet off the bedroom. Thank you for the replies! "An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field" Niels Bohr "Learn all you can from the mistakes of others. You won't have time to make them all yourself" Alfred Sheinwold
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#13
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Stand your ground Ralph, you're on the right track.
"Never underestimate the difficulty of changing false beliefs by facts." |
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#14
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Please Note:
jbushart is a non-member guest and is in no way affiliated with InterNACHI or its members.
Quote:
If you use the word "code" in your report and the seller decides to sue...you will pay a hefty sum. IRC does prohibit a furnace in a storage closet....but if the seller removes all items from the closet before the AHJ arrives, all he will see is an enclosure with a furnace in it. "Off the bedroom" is not a consideration. You mentioned that the seller has already begun using litigious language in conversation with you. You should stay away from citing or referring to code anywhere in your report or your conversations in this instance. |