Protection from impact

[tpriddy]

Does anybody ever write up a water heater or any appliance for lacking protection as per IRC M1307.3.1 - Appliances located in a garage or carport shall be protected from impact by automobiles. If you look in the plumbing code check page 21 fig 52 they show bollards protecting from vehicle impact. I have never seen any type of physical protection in any garage. It is also stated in the Texas SOP that a garage unit needs to be physically protected. Any insight would be appreciated.

[Ted Allen]

If there is no curb 4" min (I think) or post blocking the appliance's, I wright it up.

Heck, it's a safety hazard.

[Russel Ray]

I write it up all the time. With these Cadillac Escalades, one needs a wall to protect the appliances from the women drivers (ooooooops) and that might not even be enough.

[Richard L. Bennett]

I thought the water heater was there to protect the house from the car

rlb

[gbeaumont]

Originally Posted by rbennett

I thought the water heater was there to protect the house from the car

rlb

My thoughts exactly Richard, the world will be a much safer place when IRC/UPC demands 5mph bumpers be fitted to water heaters

Regards

Gerry

[Russel Ray]

Or maybe the water heater, as it comes tumbling down, is the only thing tall enough to wash the roof of the Escalades.

[Jay Moge]

all ya realy need is one of those tennis balls on a string. they stop any car just by hitting the windsheild. i say the info-mercial last year. no need for breaks. and besides if the water heater is destroyed by a mear "tap" from an escalade, it was probably due for replacement anyway.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

I couldn't imagine a HI not writing that up.

[Jay Moge]

i know right? i alway write up every garage i find without a tennis ball hanging on a string. (sorry i couldn't help myself...........no one can)

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

That's what I meant. No tennis ball = a Summary finding.

[rwheeler]

I've never seen any type of protection for a water heater here in SW Florida. Is this a nation-wide requirement/code, or does our quasi Banana Republic status down here allow us to "do it our way"?

Brad Wheeler
GCIT

[Russel Ray]

Hey, Brad.

I believe bollard protection for water heaters is in your Florida codes. Check with your fellow NACHI Florida inspectors.

[Tim Spargo]

IRC is a 4" Steel Pipe in concrete backfilled with concrete as bumper...no?

That's the norm here.