Good Dryer Venting Information

[Wayne B. Wilson]

One might want to mention the 25 foot is code ( But seeing we are not code keepers ) Unless the manufacture states different. Recommend checking your dryer"s guild lines if information is not available contact the manufacture of your dryer.

[Michael W. Gault]

Originally Posted by nhagarty

Code compliance is based upon the applicable code which is in efect within the municipality where the home / building is in need of repair.

A recommended repair may (will most often) exceed building code. All building code compliant options available to client are discussed prior to proposal & installation.

I think we're in an apples and oranges situation here.

Nanci you have the leisure of knowing the appliance installed and the requirements to best satisfy the needs of that appliance to comply with the Manufacturers' installation instructions when recommending repair.

We as inspectors rarely see the dryer in the home as they normally do not convey; we are forced to recommend repairing to the lowest common denominator (Code is that minimum) and Marcel just points out that some Dryers will perform adequately and safely with runs which exceed the minimum....

I just don't like 'em!!

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Originally Posted by mgault

The problem Marcel is builders have no prescient knowledge of the dryer to be installed and thus SHOULD comply with the limitations to the runs overall lengths that is/are dictated by code.


IMHO...

That is probably where my comprehension fails Mike. I cannot understand why it is so difficult to follow Manufactures Installation procedures and therefore we are left in the field of Inspections stating that the dryer venting is exceeding code limitations when it might not.

To report that a dryer vent does not meet the code requirement, is erroneous and should state that the venting might exceed the limitations of the Manufacturer and should be further evaluated by an appliance technician to assure that it does not become a safety hazard.

[Nanci Hagarty]

Originally Posted by mgault

I think we're in an apples and oranges situation here.

Nanci you have the leisure of knowing the appliance installed and the requirements to best satisfy the needs of that appliance to comply with the Manufacturers' installation instructions when recommending repair.

We as inspectors rarely see the dryer in the home as they normally do not convey; we are forced to recommend repairing to the lowest common denominator (Code is that minimum) and Marcel just points out that some Dryers will perform adequately and safely with runs which exceed the minimum....

I just don't like 'em!!

Correct
The 25 foot rule is the minimum standard.
Deviation from that is based upon the recommendations of the manufacturer of a particular appliance and acceptance by a local AHJ.
In those cases that we have encountered, the particular (specific) appliance is noted as compliant (and labeled as such).
A future replacement requires additional review for compliance at the time of installation.
Codes may vary and change.
Acceptance of an appliance installation may not be applicable to future replacement.

[Wayne B. Wilson]

Originally Posted by mcyr

That is probably where my comprehension fails Mike. I cannot understand why it is so difficult to follow Manufactures Installation procedures and therefore we are left in the field of Inspections stating that the dryer venting is exceeding code limitations when it might not.

To report that a dryer vent does not meet the code requirement, is erroneous and should state that the venting might exceed the limitations of the Manufacturer and should be further evaluated by an appliance technician to assure that it does not become a safety hazard.

Marcel
yu should be in the writing field or politics lol I like that!

[ccurrins]

Here's a manufacture table:

Maximum Vent Length with 90° elbows



Example: GE (6.0+ capacity electric models)

Rigid Metal- Hood Type-A 90 ft. 60 ft. 45 ft. 35 ft. 25 ft.

[Michael W. Gault]

Originally Posted by mcyr

That is probably where my comprehension fails Mike. I cannot understand why it is so difficult to follow Manufactures Installation procedures and therefore we are left in the field of Inspections stating that the dryer venting is exceeding code limitations when it might not.

To report that a dryer vent does not meet the code requirement, is erroneous and should state that the venting might exceed the limitations of the Manufacturer and should be further evaluated by an appliance technician to assure that it does not become a safety hazard.

As an inspector when I'm in a home without a dryer present I cannot comment on whether or not the run is acceptable; but i can comment on it's 'legality' as interpreted by the local AHJ's. This I can do without knowing the dryer to be installed in the home.

As a builder I simply put the laundry on a exterior wall and run a 8 inch transition duct to a three flap termination... but that's just me...

Now if I were to build one like I've encountered on inspections, I would certainly notify the buyer of the need for an appliance which will safely handle the additional run (providing I "got away with it" in the first place) but that doesn't help the subsequent buyers of the home.

[Nanci Hagarty]

Correct.
A particular installation may exceed IRC requirememt if it is still within the minimum requirement recommended by the appliance manufacturer and accepted as an approved installation by the AHJ.

[Nanci Hagarty]

A Dryer Vent exhaust run that exceeds 25 feet (without a Dryer present) should be noted as an excessive run.

Determination of code compliance can only be made based upon the Dryer to be installed.

[Larry D. Kage]

Originally Posted by ccurrins

Here's a manufacture table:

Maximum Vent Length with 90° elbows



Example: GE (6.0+ capacity electric models)

Rigid Metal- Hood Type-A 90 ft. 60 ft. 45 ft. 35 ft. 25 ft.

Good table for different manufacturers...