Gas Water Heater In Bathroom Code

It was not a direct vent type water heater and no fresh air supply vents installed to the bathroom.

Gas water heater in bathroom code.

Water heaters must be surrounded by a certain amount of clearance or air space to function properly and safely. I m pretty sure this would not meet gas fuel code requirements for appliance locations but wanted to verify. Here s the code citation. The vent system for a gas fired water heater must be installed according to local and state codes or in the absence of local or state codes the current edition of the national fuel gas code ansi z223 1 nfpa 54 link to 2012 edition.

The international residential code irc specifically bans a storage closet as a location for a gas water heater. Gas water heaters installed in an attic or underfloor crawl space are permitted to have access through a closet in a sleeping room bedroom or bathroom as long as ventilation of those spaces is in accordance with the building code. You re only looking at 20 to 100 out of pocket as opposed to several hundred dollars to call in a plumber. If the seller did not obtain a permit he is in no position to defend the quality of the installation.

This is as easy as heading down to the local planning or building department to ask for one. How much does a water heater permit cost. The purpose of a permit for water heater installations is to insure compliance with pertinent plumbing and safety codes including the prohibition against placement in a bathroom. The first permit is for the water heater itself.

But we regularly see dedicated water heater closets packed full of boxes and brooms and mops during home inspections anyway.