Rheem RTGH Owners Manual

38
Venting for Direct-Vent Water Heater
In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires
compliance with regulation 248 CMR 4.00 and 5.00 for
installation of through-the-wall vented gas appliances as
follows:
5.08: Modifications to NFPA–54, Chapter 10
(1) Revise NFPA–54 section 10.5.4.2 by adding a second
exception as follows:
Existing chimneys shall be permitted to have their use
continued when a gas conversion burner is installed,
and shall be equipped with a manual reset device that
will automatically shut off the gas to the burner in the
event of a sustained back-draft.
(2) Revise 10.8.3 by adding the following additional
requirements:
(a) For all side-wall, horizontally vented, gas-fueled
equipment installed in every dwelling, building,
or structure used in whole or part for residential
purposes, including those owned or operated by the
Commonwealth and where the side-wall exhaust vent
termination is less than seven (7) feet above finished
grade in the area of the venting, including but not limited
to decks and porches, the following requirements shall
be satisfied.
1. INSTALLATION OF CARBON MONOXIDE
DETECTORS. At the time of installation of the side-wall,
horizontally vented, gas-fueled equipment, the installing
plumber or gas fitter shall observe that a hard-wired
carbon monoxide detector with an alarm and battery
backup is installed on the floor level where the gas
equipment is to be installed. In addition, the installing
plumber or gas fitter shall observe that a battery-
operated or hard-wired carbon monoxide detector
with an alarm is installed on each additional level of
the dwelling, building, or structure served by the side-
wall, horizontally vented, gas-fueled equipment. It shall
be the responsibility of the property owner to secure
the services of qualified licensed professionals for the
installation of hard-wired carbon monoxide detectors.
a. In the event that the side-wall, horizontally vented, gas-
fueled equipment is installed in a crawl space or an attic, the
hard-wired carbon monoxide detector with alarm and battery
backup may be installed on the next adjacent floor level.
b. In the event that the requirements of this subdivision cannot
be met at the time of completion of installation, the owner
shall have a period of thirty (30) days to comply with the above
requirements, provided, however, that during said thirty (30)
day period, a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector with
an alarm shall be installed.
2. APPROVED CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS. Each
carbon monoxide detector as required in accordance with the
above provisions shall comply with NFPA 720 and be ANSI/UL
2034-listed and IAS-certified.
3. SIGNAGE. A metal or plastic identification plate shall be
permanently mounted to the exterior of the building at a
minimum height of eight (8) feet above grade directly in line
with the exhaust vent terminal for the horizontally vented, gas-
fueled heating appliance or equipment. The sign shall read, in
print size no less than one-half (1/2) inch in size, “GAS VENT
DIRECTLY BELOW. KEEP CLEAR OF ALL OBSTRUCTIONS.”
4. INSPECTION. The state or local gas inspector of the side-
wall, horizontally vented, gas-fueled equipment shall not
approve the installation unless, upon inspection, the inspector
observes carbon monoxide detectors and signage installed
in accordance with the provisions of 248 CMR 5.08 (2)(a)(1
through 4).
(b) EXEMPTIONS: The following equipment is exempt from 248
CMR 5.08 (2)(a)(1 through 4):
1. The equipment listed in Chapter 10 entitled “Equipment Not
Required To Be Vented” in the most current edition of NFPA 54
as adopted by the Board, and
2. Product-approved side-wall, horizontally vented, gas-fueled
equipment installed in a room or structure separate from the
dwelling, building, or structure used in whole or in part for
residential purposes.
(c) MANUFACTURER REQUIREMENTS – GAS EQUIPMENT
VENTING SYSTEM PROVIDED. When the manufacturer of
product-approved side-wall, horizontally vented, gas-fueled
equipment provides a venting system design or venting
system components with the equipment, the instructions
provided by the manufacturer for installation of the equipment
and the venting system shall include:
1. Detailed instructions for the installation of the venting system
design or the venting system components; and
2. A complete parts list for the venting system design or
venting system.
(d) MANUFACTURER REQUIREMENTS – GAS EQUIPMENT
VENTING SYSTEM NOT PROVIDED. When the manufacturer
of product-approved side-wall, horizontally vented, gas-fueled
equipment does not provide the parts for venting the flue
gases, but identifies “special venting systems,” the following
requirements shall be satisfied by the manufacturer:
1. The referenced “special venting systems” instructions shall
be included with the appliance or equipment installation
instructions, and
2. The “special venting systems” shall be product-approved by
the Board, and the instructions for that system shall include a
parts list and detailed installation instructions.
(e) A copy of all installation instructions for all product-
approved side-wall, horizontally vented, gas-fueled equipment,
all venting instructions, all parts lists for venting instructions,
and/or all venting design instructions shall remain with the
appliance or equipment at the completion of the installation.
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Venting