Hi Everyone,
I’m remodeling a kitchen located above a full height basement that has a standard water heater.Due to changes in kitchen layout the existing water heater vent coming from basement needs to be relocated in
a cavity wall within kitchen area.I ‘m planning on using a 3″ducting rated for water heaters.Can anyone tell me what is the minimum clearance
between duct and any wooden areas.Also where ducting penetrates the kitchen floor and wall plates how do I deal with it?
Thanks in advance for any input!
Replies
I've never run into that exact scenario, as basements are as rare here as an honest politician.
But getting back to the clearance - as I recall, it's one inch here. If it needs to be closer, put a layer of 1/2" cement board between it and anything combustible. Where it penetrates the floor and wall plates, I'd use a metal or cement-board 'plate' with a hole cut out for the penetration, and seal the junction with a fire-rated caulking. All of which is probably overkill, but then isn't that what safety is all about?
CaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Edited 8/4/2008 1:02 am by Huck
Thanks a lot Huck!
Yeah ... ask the Building Official. He should be helpfull and give you some boundaries and some options or methods most use in your area. Technically you need a permit to do what you are doing anyway. If he is less than cooperative or you don't want to go that way ... the other guy's advice sounds reasonable ... if your wall plate is a 2x4, then you may have some issues getting through that and maintaining clearance ... you need 5" of space minimum based on the 1" clearance value ... that is to any back of any drywall (which is paper). I'm still thinking the BO is a place to go for a permit and some helpful hints (they can't give advice).
Thanks a lot!
If the flue/vent is B-vent (for nat gas) 1" minimum clearance from any combustible materials.
6" for single wall vent.
If the water heater is one of the newer, enclosed combustion chamber types, I would give more - their flue gases consistently run hotter than the older types, per my testing.
You might have to change out to a draft induced side vent type - significantly more $$
Remember Mary Dyer, a Christian Martyr (Thank you, Puritans)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Dyer
May your whole life become a response to the truth that you've always been loved, you are loved and you always will be loved" Rob Bell, Nooma, "Bullhorn"
If you are swapping your water heater ... also consider a high efficiency or other PVC vented water heater ... eliminates the clearance, and increases efficiency.
Just another option if you were considering replacement.