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  #1  
Old 7/22/11, 8:49 PM
Sean Fogarty's Avatar
Sean Fogarty Sean Fogarty is offline
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Default Gas water heater help

Gas water heaters that do not need to be on a stand....
Do they now make any?
Had 2 brand new ones sitting on the garage floor.
Feedback please


Thanks for the confusion Wayne.




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  #2  
Old 7/22/11, 8:59 PM
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Default Re: Gas water heater help

Quote:
Originally Posted by sfogarty View Post
Gas water heaters that do not need to be on a stand....
Do they now make any?
Had 2 brand new ones sitting on the garage floor.
Feedback please


Thanks for the confusion Wayne.
Must be 18 inches off the floor Sean.
I will double check my info if not answered again.
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  #3  
Old 7/22/11, 9:00 PM
Greg W. Mathias, CCHI Greg W. Mathias, CCHI is online now
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Default Re: Gas water heater help

If the burner is sealed then it can be used without a stand. Generally if they wer made after 2008 they are explosion proof.



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  #4  
Old 7/22/11, 9:01 PM
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Default Re: Gas water heater help

Water heaters should be elevated above the floor by at least 18 inches. A pilot light may ignite spilled fluid or floor-level flammable fumes if the water heater is placed at floor level.
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  #5  
Old 7/22/11, 9:04 PM
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Default Re: Gas water heater help

In 2003 they started making FVIR (Flame Vapor Ignition Resistant) water heaters that do not need 18" elevation in garages. They have an enclosed front with a small viewing window.
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  #6  
Old 7/22/11, 9:13 PM
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Sean Fogarty Sean Fogarty is offline
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Default Re: Gas water heater help

Our county code handouts say it must be. Had 2 brand new today on the floor. Both were fvir's.. They would not have been able to install the draft pipes if they were on stands.




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Fogarty Inspection Services Group of Knoxville TN

Home inspections, Commercial Inspections, Thermal Imaging, Mold, Enviromental Testing and Radon Testing for Knoxville TN, Oak Ridge TN, Maryville, Clinton, Farragut, Lenoir City, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and all the surrounding areas.

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www.moldandradon.com

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  #7  
Old 7/22/11, 9:13 PM
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Marcel R. Cyr Marcel R. Cyr is offline
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Default Re: Gas water heater help

Patent;
An explosion proof gas-tired water heater is comprised of a housing having a water reservoir provided with a sealed combustion chamber thereunder. A flue pipe is disposed above the combustion chamber and extends through the reservoir. A gas burner and pilot are provided in the combustion chamber. At least one air supply channel is provided to supply fresh air to the combustion chamber. The air supply channel has an intake disposed a predetermined height above the floor to prevent combustible vapors from entering the combustion chamber. Vapor detectors and/or pressure sensors may be provided as added features to detect the presence of combustible vapors as well as the production of harmful carbon monoxide in the combustion chamber and to actuate the gas supply cut-off valve.

Explosion Proof Gas Water Heater

Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistant (FVIR) Gas Water Heaters – All 30, 40 and 50-gallon standard-vent and 40 and 50 gallon Power Vent gas water heaters are now C3 Technology™ gas water heaters. They are equipped with an advanced system designed to help prevent the accidental ignition of flammable vapors from gasoline and other sources outside the water heater. C3 Technology water heaters meet standards for “Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistance” established by ANSI, the American National Standards Institute. Learn more about the FVIR Standards.
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  #8  
Old 7/22/11, 9:18 PM
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Default Re: Gas water heater help

Quote:
Originally Posted by belliott View Post
Water heaters should be elevated above the floor by at least 18 inches. A pilot light may ignite spilled fluid or floor-level flammable fumes if the water heater is placed at floor level.
Take this training on water heaters and FVIR's to tone up on newer water heater technology. Water heater training
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  #9  
Old 7/22/11, 9:23 PM
Greg W. Mathias, CCHI Greg W. Mathias, CCHI is online now
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Default Re: Gas water heater help

In 2008 FVIR's were mandated in Canada.



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  #10  
Old 7/22/11, 9:25 PM
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Marcel R. Cyr Marcel R. Cyr is offline
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Default Re: Gas water heater help

So now that we all know that they exist, will they be recognized when we see one, is the next question.
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  #11  
Old 7/22/11, 9:33 PM
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Default Re: Gas water heater help

OK missed the new part ,but good thread to discuss.
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  #12  
Old 7/22/11, 9:36 PM
Greg W. Mathias, CCHI Greg W. Mathias, CCHI is online now
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Default Re: Gas water heater help

I see them all the time. I am not a fan as they are impossable to inspect.



Greg Mathias, CCHI
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  #13  
Old 7/22/11, 9:49 PM
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Jeffrey R. Pope Jeffrey R. Pope is offline
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Default Re: Gas water heater help

Quote:
Originally Posted by sfogarty View Post
Gas water heaters that do not need to be on a stand....
Do they now make any?
Had 2 brand new ones sitting on the garage floor.
Feedback please
It depends on your local code (I know, I know, TN ain't got no codes).

There are some jurisdictions that leave it up to the manufacturer. Their code will usually state something to the effect of "Ignition sources capable of igniting flammable vapors must be elevated off of the garage floor..." In which case, the FVIR water heater can be placed at floor level.

Other codes will say something like "The heating element or burner chamber of appliances located in a garage must be elevated to a minimum height of 18 inches off the garage floor..." In which case, all appliances must be elevated.

Most current codes allow for the FVIR water heater to be placed at floor level.



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  #14  
Old 7/22/11, 9:57 PM
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Default Re: Gas water heater help

Sean has stated here in Knox county has to off the floor. I write them up also, Knew some areas do not require it . no one here has complained yet



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  #15  
Old 7/22/11, 9:58 PM
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Sean Fogarty Sean Fogarty is offline
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Default Re: Gas water heater help

http://www.knoxcounty.org/codes/pdfs...quirements.pdf

According to our 2006 current county code requriements they must be 18 inches off the floor. It does not specify SO I guess county codes trumps.

I see fvir's all the time.

What I have never seen in newer construction is them sitting of the floor.




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Fogarty Inspection Services Group of Knoxville TN

Home inspections, Commercial Inspections, Thermal Imaging, Mold, Enviromental Testing and Radon Testing for Knoxville TN, Oak Ridge TN, Maryville, Clinton, Farragut, Lenoir City, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and all the surrounding areas.

865-256-5397

www.homeinspectorknoxville.com

www.moldandradon.com

www.thermal-inspection.net

www.commercial-building-inspector.net
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