Do you require elect. water heaters to have collision protection?

[jfunderburk (Joe Funderburk, CMI)]

Just wondering…

[cevans (Chuck Evans, CMI)]

No, only liability, collision and comprehensive are optional.

[bkelly2 (Brian Kelly, AZ Cert. # 60234)]

duh… it is required…

[rray (Russel Ray)]

And furnaces, washers, and dryers, too!

[jfunderburk (Joe Funderburk, CMI)]

@bkelly2

duh… it is required…

That was my question.

Read the top-right column of Page 8.

[FONT=Arial]http://www.statewaterheaters.com/lit/im/res-Elec/184671-000.pdf

[/FONT]

[jfunderburk (Joe Funderburk, CMI)]

@rray

And furnaces, washers, and dryers, too!

If gas appliances, I agree.

"IRC G2408.3 (305.5) Private garages. Appliances located in private
garages shall be installed with a minimum clearance of 6 feet (1829 mm) above the floor.
Exception: The requirements of this section shall not apply where the appliances are protected from motor vehicle impact and installed in accordance with Section G2408.2."

[lkage (Larry Kage, CMI)]

Do you require elect. water heaters to have collision protection?

No, but I do recommend it…:p:D

[wsiegel (William E. Siegel)]

As a home inspector you cannot require anything. Just report what you know and cite that portion of the code, if you so desire.

[mlarson (Michael Larson, WI Lic. # 1672-106)]

Larry and Bill have it right.

Require?

By who’s authority?

[jfunderburk (Joe Funderburk, CMI)]

Let me change the wording, dipsticks.

“Do you **write up **an electric water heater without vehicle collision protection.”

[bschern (Ben Schern)]

They are called a “Bollard Post” Here in AZ I think it’s 24" clearance with or without a 4" tire stop in the garage. Most communities here only have em’ with gas units though.

[bkelly2 (Brian Kelly, AZ Cert. # 60234)]

Note: The water heater shall be located so it is not subject
to physical damage by moving vehicles or area flooding.

res-elect.pdf

Required by the manufacturer…

[jfunderburk (Joe Funderburk, CMI)]

@bkelly2

http://www.americanwaterheater.com/support/manuals/res-elect.pdf

Required by the manufacturer…

Brian wins the prize!

A chicken fried steak plate at Eddies, in lovely, 98 degree, 90% humidity, Hickory Grove, SC.

I know others said they write it up also, but the manufacturer’s installation instructions is your reference if you’re ever called on it (since it’s not in any code I’m aware of).

[mboyett (Michael Boyett, TREC #7290 (Ret) Boerne, TX)]

@jfunderburk

…(since it’s not in any code I’m aware of).

2006 IRC says:

M1307.3.1 Protection from impact. Appliances located in a
garage or carport shall be protected from impact by automobiles.

Commentary: Mechanical appliances installed in garages and carports
must be protected from vehicular impact.
Although the code does not specify methods of protection,
the most apparent method would be to locate
the appliance where it could not reasonably be struck
by a vehicle. A practical method of protection would be
to place a formidable and permanent barrier between
the motor vehicles and the appliance. This barrier could
include such items as an effectively located vehicle
wheel stop that is anchored in place, an elevated platform
higher than the vehicle’s bumpers or one or more
concrete-filled steel pipes. Final approval of the method
of protection is left to the local building official.

[jfunderburk (Joe Funderburk, CMI)]

Michael, Chapter 13’s scope: “The provisions of this chapter shall govern
the installation of mechanical systems…”

[mboyett (Michael Boyett, TREC #7290 (Ret) Boerne, TX)]

Do you not consider a water heater an appliance and a mechanical system? If not how do you explain figure M1307.2 or M1307.3?

[jfunderburk (Joe Funderburk, CMI)]

@mboyett

Do you not consider a water heater an appliance and a mechanical system? If not how do you explain figure M1307.2 or M1307.3?

OK. I concede your point. Water heaters are appliances.

But, M1307.3.1 is a sub-paragraph of 1307.3, which speaks about appliances having ignition sources (i.e, gas water heaters). Thus, M1307.3.1 would not apply to electric water heaters. That’s my understanding of the rule. And that is the only mention of protecting water heaters from impact in the IRC.

[mboyett (Michael Boyett, TREC #7290 (Ret) Boerne, TX)]

That then goes to the age-old debate of whether an electric water heater has a ‘source of ignition’ and I adhere to the philosophy that they do. This was recently debated on another thread and can be found by a Search I’m sure. Even M1307.1 says:

In the context of this section, a source of ignition could be a pilot flame,
burner, burner igniter or electrical component capable of producing a spark.

If you do not think the thermostat contacts of an electric water heater are capable of producing a spark then it can be rationalized that M1307 does not pertain to electric appliances. I believe contacts can spark and therefore M1307 does pertain to electric water heaters.

[bkelly2 (Brian Kelly, AZ Cert. # 60234)]

@jfunderburk

Brian wins the prize!

A chicken fried steak plate at Eddies, in lovely, 98 degree, 90% humidity, Hickory Grove, SC.

I know others said they write it up also, but the manufacturer’s installation instructions is your reference if you’re ever called on it (since it’s not in any code I’m aware of).

Thanks Joe… I love Chicken Fried Steak…the temp would be cooler than here, but the Humidity would knock me down.

[jfunderburk (Joe Funderburk, CMI)]

@mboyett

That then goes to the age-old debate of whether an electric water heater has a ‘source of ignition’.

I suppose it comes down to that argument. However, most AHJs in my area must conclude that an electric water heater does not contain an ignition source, because they don’t require collision protection here.