Roger Woodson-International Fuel Gas Code Companion-McGraw-Hill Professional (2007).pdf

8/9/2019 Roger Woodson-International Fuel Gas Code Companion-McGraw-Hill Professional (2007).pdf

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INTERNATIONAL

FUEL GAS CODE

COMPANION:

INTERPRETATION,

TACTICS, AND

TECHNIQUES
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About the Author

R. Dodge Woodson is a seasoned builder of as many as 60 single-family homes a

year, a master remodeler, a master plumber, and a master gasfitter with over 30

years of experience. He opened his first business in 1979 and is now the owner of

The Masters Group, Inc., in Brunswick, Maine. In addition to operating this con-

tracting company, Mr. Woodson has taught both code and apprentice classes inthe technical college system in Maine. Well known as a prolific author of many

McGraw-Hill titles, his reputation and experience come together to offer readers

a real-life view of professional practices.

Copyright 2008by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Click here for terms of use.


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INTERNATIONALFUEL GAS CODECOMPANION:

INTERPRETATION,TACTICS, ANDTECHNIQUES

R. Dodge Woodson

New York Chicago San Francisco Lisbon London Madrid

Mexico City Milan New Delhi San Juan Seoul

Singapore Sydney Toronto
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This book is dedicated to

Adam and Afton,

the two brightest stars in my life.

Leona, Sadie, Ben, and Megan

make up the rest of my universe.


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vii

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments xv

Introduction xvii

CHAPTER 1: ADMINISTRATION 1.1

Piping Systems 1.2

Gas Utilization Equipment 1.2

Exceptions 1.2

Other Fuels 1.4

Minimum Standards 1.4

Existing Installations 1.4

Maintenance 1.5

Additions 1.5Change in Occupancy 1.5

Historic Designation 1.6

Relocated Buildings 1.7

Code Officer Appointment 1.7

Liability 1.7

Authority 1.7

Rules 1.8

Applications and Permits 1.8

Entry 1.8Records 1.9

Approval 1.9

Modifications 1.9

Alternative Options 1.10

Testing 1.10

Permits 1.10

Permit Application 1.11

Permit Issuance 1.11

Approved Construction Documents 1.11Validity 1.12

Expiration 1.12

Extensions 1.12

Retention of Documents 1.13

Working Without a Permit 1.13

Inspections 1.13

Underground Inspections 1.14

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viii INTERNATIONAL FUEL GAS CODE COMPANION

Rough-In Inspections 1.14

Final Inspections 1.14

Heating Equipment 1.14

Prefabricated Construction 1.15Follow-up Inspections 1.15

Approval 1.16

Violations 1.16

Punishment 1.17

Stop-work Order 1.17

Unsafe Conditions 1.17

Condemned Installations 1.18

Disconnection 1.18

Reconnection 1.18Appeal 1.18

Membership of Board of Appeals 1.18

Qualifications 1.19

Board Organization 1.19

CHAPTER 2: DEFINITIONS 2.1

CHAPTER 3: GENERAL REGULATIONS 3.1

Labeling 3.1

Plumbing 3.2

Fuel Types 3.2

Vibration 3.2

Repair 3.2

Wind 3.2

Flooding 3.2Seismic Resistance 3.3

Ducts 3.3

Rodents 3.3

Structural Safety 3.4

Penetrations 3.4

Cutting, Notching, and Boring Wood 3.4

Joists 3.4

Studs 3.4

Bored Holes 3.5Trusses 3.5

Steel 3.5

Structural-steel Framing 3.5

Cold-formed Steel Framing 3.5

Nonstructural Steel 3.6

Prohibited Appliance Locations 3.6

Outdoor Locations 3.7

Pit Locations 3.7

Combustion, Ventilation, and Dilution Air 3.8


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CONTENTS ix

Makeup Air 3.8

Indoor Air 3.8

Combined Spaces 3.9

Outdoor Combustion Air 3.9Combination Air 3.10

Mechanical Combustion-air Supply 3.11

Louvers and Grilles 3.11

Combustion-air Ducts 3.11

Fumes and Gases 3.12

Installation 3.13

Elevation of Ignition Source 3.13

Parking Garages 3.14

Public Garages 3.14Private Garages 3.14

Grade Clearance 3.15

Combustible Construction 3.15

Access and Service 3.15

Attic Installations 3.15

Under-floor Appliances 3.16

Roofs and Elevated Structures 3.17

Permanent Ladders 3.17

Sloped Roofs 3.18Guards 3.18

Condensate Disposal 3.18

Clearance Reduction 3.20

Air-conditioning Equipment 3.20

Furnace Plenums 3.20

Supply Ducts 3.21

Boilers and Furnaces 3.21

CHAPTER 4: GAS PIPING INSTALLATIONS 4.1

Identification 4.1

Pipe Sizing 4.2

Branch Length 4.4

Hybrid Pressure 4.4

Pressure Drop 4.4

Operating Pressure 4.5

LP Systems 4.5Sizing Tables 4.5

Piping Materials 4.62

Anodeless Risers 4.63

Workmanship 4.64

Threads 4.64

Corrosive Action 4.64

Joints and Fittings 4.65

Metallic Fittings 4.65

Plastic Pipe Joints 4.66


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Flanges and Flange Gaskets 4.66

Piping-system Installation 4.67

Pipe Protection 4.67

Solid Floors 4.68Above-ground Outdoor Piping 4.68

Corrosion 4.69

Outside Appliances 4.69

Beneath Buildings 4.70

Outlet Locations 4.70

Plastic-pipe Limitations 4.71

Tracers 4.71

Changes in Direction 4.71

Testing 4.72Test Pressure and Duration 4.73

Servicing a System 4.74

Pipe Support 4.74

Wet Gas 4.75

Shutoff Valves 4.76

Flow Controls 4.77

Manufactured-home Connections 4.78

Connector Length 4.78

Gas-connector Prohibitions 4.79Motor-vehicle Facilities 4.79

LP-gas Fuel-dispensing Facilities 4.79

Dispensing Devices 4.79

Private Fueling 4.80

Compressed-natural-gas Fuel-dispensing Facilities 4.80

Location Exceptions 4.80

Residential Applications 4.81

Private Fueling Facilities 4.81

Emergency Shutdown 4.82

Closed Transfer System 4.82

Vent Tube 4.82

Air or Oxygen under Pressure 4.83

Interconnections 4.83

Support Intervals 4.83

Overpressure Protection 4.83

Settings 4.86

Unauthorized Operation 4.86Vents 4.87

Size 4.87

CHAPTER 5: CHIMNEYS AND VENTS 5.1

Single Booster-type Automatic Instantaneous Water Heaters 5.2

Requirements of Nonvented Appliances 5.2

Residential and Low-heat Appliances 5.3

Category I Appliances 5.4

x INTERNATIONAL FUEL GAS CODE COMPANION


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Existing Chimneys and Vents 5.4

Vents 5.5

Insulation Shields 5.5

Protection 5.5Venting 5.6

Mechanical Draft Systems 5.6

Above-ceiling Systems 5.7

Masonry Chimneys 5.7

Chimney Termination 5.8

Chimney Sizing Limitations 5.8

Chimney Inspections 5.10

Liquid-fuel-burning Appliances 5.10

Combination Appliances 5.10Cleanouts 5.11

Combustion Air 5.11

Gas Vents 5.12

Terminating Gas Vents 5.12

Vents for Category I Appliances 5.13

Offsets 5.13

Multistory Buildings 5.14

Sizing Connectors 5.14

Labeling 5.15Single-Wall Pipe 5.15

Roof Penetration 5.15

Installation Rules 5.16

Single-wall Pipe Size 5.16

Venting Termination Locations 5.17

Category II and IV Appliances 5.18

Unconditioned Areas 5.18

Residential-type Appliance Connectors 5.18

Low-heat Equipment 5.19Medium-heat Equipment 5.19

Multiple Draft Hoods 5.20

Multiple Appliances 5.21

Joints 5.21

Connector Length 5.21

Chimney Connections 5.22

Wall Penetration 5.22

Vented Appliances 5.23

Draft Hoods 5.24Table Definitions 5.25

Venting Tables 5.26

Minimum Size 5.26

Vent Offsets 5.26

High Altitudes 5.27

Multiple Inputs 5.27

Liner Sizing 5.27

Vent Area and Diameter 5.27

Chimney and Vent Locations 5.27

CONTENTS xi


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xii INTERNATIONAL FUEL GAS CODE COMPANION

Component Commingling 5.28

Conversion Accessories 5.28

Vent Obstructions 5.28

Connector Length 5.29Manifolds 5.29

Fittings 5.29

Vent Height 5.29

Multistory Offsets 5.30

Vertical Vent Maximum Size 5.31

Liner Sizing and Connections 5.31

Connector Maximum and Minimum Sizes 5.31

Commercial Cooking Appliances 5.32

Factory-built Chimneys 5.32

CHAPTER 6: SPECIFIC APPLIANCES 6.1

Decorative Appliances 6.1

Fireplaces 6.2

Vented Gas Fireplaces 6.2

Vented Wall Furnaces 6.2

Furnaces 6.3

Floor Furnaces 6.3

Walls 6.3

Thermostats 6.3

Clearance 6.4

Duct Furnaces 6.4

Air Heaters 6.4

Nonrecirculating Direct-fired Industrial Air Heaters 6.4

Atmospheric Vents 6.5

Relief Openings 6.5Recirculating Direct-fired Industrial Air Heaters 6.5

Air Supply 6.6

Clothes Dryers 6.6

Exhaust Systems 6.6

Duct Penetrations 6.7

Exhaust Installation 6.7

Makeup Air 6.7

Domestic Ducts 6.8

Commercial Clothes Dryers 6.8Sauna Heaters 6.9

Air Intakes 6.9

Controls 6.10

Ventilation 6.10

Forced-air Warm-air Furnaces 6.10

Prohibited Sources 6.10

Unit Heaters 6.12

Unvented Heaters 6.13

Cooking Appliances 6.14


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Water Heaters 6.15

Refrigerators 6.15

Air Conditioning 6.15

Refrigeration Coils 6.16Boilers 6.17

Illuminating Appliances 6.17

Infrared Radiant Heaters 6.18

Boiler Standards 6.18

Chimney Dampers 6.19

CHAPTER 7: GASEOUS HYDROGEN SYSTEMS 7.1

Generating and Refueling Operations 7.1Ventilation Types 7.2

Natural Ventilation 7.2

Garage Openings 7.3

Louvers and Grilles 7.3

Mechanical Ventilation 7.3

Design 7.4

Pressure Relief Devices 7.4

Valves 7.4

Installation 7.4Sizing 7.5

Protection 7.5

Configuration 7.6

Piping 7.6

Identification 7.7

Protection 7.8

Outdoor Piping 7.8

Joints 7.9

Components 7.10Shutoffs 7.10

Containers 7.10

Inspections 7.11

Testing Time 7.11

Pressure Test 7.11

Disconnection 7.12

Leaks 7.12

Service 7.12

Operation 7.12Vent Outlets 7.13

Suitable Locations 7.13

INDEX I.1

CONTENTS xiii


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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I would like to thank the International Code Council, Inc. for its cooperation and

permission to reprint certain illustrations and tables. This material was taken from

material published by the International Code Council, Inc. Each appearance of

the material is noted with appreciation.

xv



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INTRODUCTION

R. Dodge Woodson has over 30 years of experience in the construction trades. He

has built up to 60 single-family homes a year, has remodeled countless homes and

buildings, and is licensed as a master plumber and master gasfitter. As a seasoned

author, Woodson is well known throughout the professional community. His writ-

ing style and ability to turn complicated tasks into easy-to-understand termsmakes him and this book your guide to getting your code questions answered with

less stress. Here is your ticket to simplifying the cryptic code that you work with

on a daily basis. The code is large and can be complicated. Woodson translates it

into easy-to-use terms for people in the field. See the code as a real-world guide

instead of some foreign language that only some people can begin to sift through.

This is your chance.

How important is understanding the code? It is essential for professionals in

the trade. Working without code compliance is an expensive mistake. Many good

gas workers mean well and still stray from the code. This is often due to the code

being difficult to understand and follow. Not anymore. This book will walk you

through the code requirements chapter by chapter.

Laid out in the same basic sequence as the code book, this book can be used

in conjunction with your code book. While this book is not a replacement for your

code book, it is a strong enhancement to it. Use the books together as resources to

make your job or your business more productive.

Thumb through the pages here. Notice the code alert boxes. You will find that

some key components of the code are highlighted in the alert boxes. Go ahead,take a peek. While you are at it, pick a few topics that you are either familiar with

or confused about, and look them up. See for yourself how easy this book makes

it to put your mind at ease on code issues.

You might find another book that attempts to do what this one does, but it was

not written by R. Dodge Woodson. Another book might be a fine piece of work,

but Woodson has a long-standing reputation as a best-selling author of code-

related books for McGraw-Hill. If you are looking for one guide to the code that

you can trust, this is it.

xvii



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CHAPTER 1

ADMINISTRATIVEPROCEDURES

The administration of a compliance code is often overlooked by people in the

trades. Since this aspect is not usually dealt with by field installers, the elements

of administration are sometimes ignored. While this can sometimes work in the

field, it is not advisable to turn your back on any code requirement. If you are won-

dering what the administration of a code involves, you are about to find out.

Our goal is to gain a full understanding of the International Fuel Gas Code. We

will do this chapter by chapter. Administration is our primary focus in this chap-

ter. If you dont already have an official code book, get one. You will need a code

book to use in conjunction with this book.

Be aware that every code jurisdiction is permitted to amend the basic code re-

quirements to meet local needs. Dont overlook this fact. If you have any doubts

about your local code requirements, check with your local code-enforcement of-

ficer for clarification of the full code requirements in your region.

What does the International Fuel Gas Code apply to? Is it the same as the

plumbing code? The gas code is not the same as the plumbing code. Areas cov-

ered under the fuel-gas code include the following:

The installation of fuel-gas piping systems

Fuel-gas utilization equipment

Gaseous-hydrogen systems

Related accessories

There is an exception to the above. Detached one- and two-family dwellings

and multiple single-family dwellings such as townhouses that are not more than

three stories high and that have separate means of egress, together with their ac-

cessory structures, must comply with the International Residential Code.

1.1



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1.2 INTERNATIONAL FUEL GAS CODE COMPANION

PIPING SYSTEMS

Natural-gas piping with an operating pressure of 125 pounds per square inch

gauge (psig) or less is covered under this code. Liquid petroleum (LP) gas with an

operating pressure of 20 psig or less is also covered by this code. Requirements of

the code apply from the point of delivery of gas to the outlet of the equipment shut-

off valve for gas distribution. Piping-system requirements include:

Design

Materials

Components

Fabrication

Assembly

Installation

Testing

Inspection

Operation

Maintenance

GAS UTILIZATION EQUIPMENT

Requirements for gas-utilization equipment and related accessories are covered

under the gas code. Such requirements include:

Installation

Combustion

Ventilation air

Venting

Connections to piping systems

EXCEPTIONS

There are a number of situations where the fuel-gas code does not apply.

Remember to check your local code requirements if there is any doubt in your

mind about the applicable requirements. These are the exceptions:

Portable LP-gas equipment of all types that is not connected to a fixed fuel-pip-

ing system

Installation of farm equipment such as brooders, dehydrators, dryers, and irriga-

tion equipment


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Raw material (feedstock) applications except for piping to special atmosphere

generators

Oxygen-fuel gas cutting and welding systems

Industrial gas applications using gases such as acetylene and acetylenic com-

pounds, hydrogen, ammonia, carbon monoxide, oxygen, and nitrogen

Petroleum refineries, pipeline compressor or pumping stations, loading termi-

nals, compounding plants, refinery tank farms, and natural-gas processing plants

Integrated chemical plants or portions of such plants where flammable or com-

bustible liquids or gases are produced by or used in chemical reactions

LP-gas installations at utility gas plants

Liquefied-natural-gas (LNG) installations

Fuel-gas piping in power and atomic-energy plants

Proprietary items of equipment, apparatus, or instruments such as gas-generat-

ing sets, compressors, and calorimeters

LP-gas equipment for vaporization, gas mixing, and gas manufacturing

Temporary LP-gas piping for buildings under construction or renovation that

will not become part of the permanent piping system

Installation of LP-gas systems for railroad-switch heating

Installation of hydrogen-gas, LP-gas, and compressed-natural-gas (CNG) sys-

tems on vehicles

Except as referenced in Section 401.1.1 of the code, gas piping, meters, gas pres-

sure regulators, and other appurtenances used by the serving gas supplier in the

distribution of gas other than undiluted LP gas

Building design and construction, except as specified in the code

Piping systems for mixtures of gas and air within the flammable range with anoperating pressure greater than 10 psig

Portable fuel-cell appliances that are neither connected to a fixed piping system

nor interconnected to a power grid

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES 1.3

!CodealertA dwelling unit is a single unit providing complete, independent living

facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for

sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation.


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OTHER FUELS

The requirements for the design, installation, maintenance, alteration, and inspec-

tion of mechanical systems operating with fuel other than fuel gas are regulated

by the International Mechanical Code.

MINIMUM STANDARDS

The code is used to establish minimum standards to protect life, limb, health,

safety, property, and public welfare. This is done by controlling the design, con-

struction, installation, material quality, location, operation, and maintenance or

use of fuel-gas systems. Without code requirements the installation of gas systems

would likely pose far greater risks.

EXISTING INSTALLATIONS

Existing installations are typically grandfathered. This simply means that code

requirements rarely force a person to bring existing conditions into a form that

will pass modern code requirements. However, for this rule to apply, existing in-

stallations must have complied with the code in use at the time the installation

occurred.


?

Did you knowDid you know that provisions found in appendices of the code shall not applyunless they are specifically adopted by a jurisdiction? It is a fact.

TradetipIf a section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of the code is for any rea-

son deemed to be unconstitutional, this decision will not affect the validity

of the remaining portions of the code.


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MAINTENANCE

Proper maintenance is required for all installations, both new and existing. Theoperating condition of a system must be maintained in accordance with the origi-

nal design and in a safe manner. This applies to devices and safeguards that are re-

quired by code.

Who is responsible for required maintenance? Is it the installer? Are primary

contractors responsible for maintenance? No. The maintenance required for a sys-

tem is the responsibility of the property owner or the owners designated agent. It

is within the rights of a code official to require an installation to be reinspected.

ADDITIONS

Additions, alterations, renovations, or repairs to installations must conform to the

requirements of a new installation. This is not to say that existing portions of the

system must be updated. The requirements of the modern code apply only to the

new work being done, so long as the original installation was in code compliance

at the time of installation. Any work done to alter, repair, or add to an existing sys-

tem must be performed in a manner that will not render the system unsafe, haz-

ardous, or overloaded.

What happens if you have a minor repair to make to an existing system? Does

that repair have to meet current code requirements? There are two answers. The

short answer is that the work must meet current code requirements. However,

there is an exception. When minor alterations, repairs, renovations, or additions

are made to an approved existing system, the work may be done in the same man-ner and arrangement as was allowed in the existing system so long as the work

does not render the system hazardous.

CHANGE IN OCCUPANCY

Be careful when working with a building where there will be a change in occu-

pancy. When a change of occupancy is desired, the change must be approved


Tradetip

Additions, alterations, renovations, or repairs related to building or struc-tural issues are regulated by the International Building Code.


25/241

by a code official. Failure to seek approval before making such a change is

unlawful.

Assuming that the building meets the intent of the provisions governing build-

ing construction for the proposed change in occupancy without any risk of creat-

ing a hazard to public health, safety, or welfare, the change should be approved.

HISTORIC DESIGNATION

How does the historic designation of a building affect the enforcement of this

code? Historic buildings receive different treatment under the code requirements.

To be considered a historic building, the building must be designated as historicby a state or local jurisdiction.

A code officer must be consulted to determine if a historic building is safe and

in the public interest of health, safety, and welfare in its present condition follow-

ing any work done to the building. If these conditions are met, a code officer can

waive normal code requirements for work to be done on historic buildings.


!CodealertRelocated buildings generally must meet present code requirements.There are, of course, exceptions. In general, a building that is moved

into or within a jurisdiction is required to comply with the provisions

for new installations. This sometimes fools even experienced workers,

so remember the rule well.

?Did you know

Did you know that a code officer can determine requirements that are not

specified in the code? Code officers must make rulings pertaining to public

safety, health, and general welfare.


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RELOCATED BUILDINGS

Relocated buildings generally must meet present code requirements. There are, of

course, exceptions. In general, a building that is moved into or within a jurisdic-

tion is required to comply with the provisions for new installations. This some-

times fools even experienced workers, so remember the rule well.

CODE OFFICER APPOINTMENT

Code-officer appointment is done by the chief appointing authority of a jurisdic-tion. A code official cannot be removed from office except for cause and after a

full opportunity to be heard on specific and relevant charges by and before the ap-

pointing authority. A code official has the authority to appoint a deputy code of-

ficial, other related technical officers, inspectors, and other employees.

Liability

How does liability affect code officers? Code officials, code officers, and employ-

ees charged with the enforcement of the code, while acting for the jurisdiction,

cannot be rendered liable personally. They are relieved from all personal liability

for any damage accruing to persons or property as a result of an act required or

permitted in the discharge of official duties.

If a lawsuit is instituted against any officer or employee because of an act per-

formed by that officer or employee in the lawful discharge of duties and under the

provisions of the code, the suit shall be defended by the legal representative of the

jurisdiction until the final termination of the proceedings.

Code officials and subordinates must not be made liable for costs in an action,

suit, or proceeding that is instituted in pursuance of the provisions of the code.

Any officer of the Department of Inspection who is acting in good faith and with-

out malice will be free of liability for acts performed under any of its provisions

or by reason of any act or omission in the performance of official duties in con-

nection therewith.

Authority

How much authority does a code official have? Plenty, when it comes to code en-

forcement. The code official is responsible for all aspects of enforcing code re-

quirements. The following is a list of powers within the grasp of a code official:

Rule-making authority

Applications and permits

Inspections



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Right of entry

Identification

Notices and orders Department records

Rules

When the rules of the code are involved, the code official is the ruler. Code offi-

cials have full authority, as is necessary for public health, safety, and general wel-

fare, to adopt and promulgate rules and regulations. The interpretation and imple-

mentation of rules are within the control of a code official. However, a code

official cannot rule in a way that will waive structural or fire performance require-

ments specifically provided for by the code.

Applications and Permits

Who is responsible for receiving applications and issuing permits? The code offi-

cial is. Alterations covered by the code, inspection of premises where permits

have been issued, and enforcement of compliance are also the responsibility of the

code official.

Entry

Code officials have plenty of power to enter a premise. Entry must be provided to

a code official whenever it is necessary to make an inspection to enforce the pro-

visions of the code. When a code official has reasonable cause to believe that any

conditions or violations of the code that make a structure unsafe, dangerous, or

hazardous in a building or on a premise exist, the code official shall have the au-thority to enter the building or premise at all reasonable times to inspect or to per-

form the duties imposed upon the code official by the code.

When a code official feels the need to enter an occupied structure, the official

is required to show credentials to the occupant and request entry. Unoccupied

buildings that are in need of being entered require the code official to make an at-

tempt to locate the property owner or person in charge of the property. If entry for

a code official is refused, there are options for the code official to seek remedy.


?Did you know

Code officials are required to carry proper identification when inspecting

structures or premises in the performance of duties under the code

requirements.


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Obtaining a proper inspection warrant or other remedy provided by law to secureentry will get the code official into a building.

Records

Code officers are required to keep accurate records. Some of the items that code

officers are responsible for include:

Applications received

Permits

Certificates issued

Fees collected

Reports of inspections

Notices issued

Orders issued

The records retained are to be kept as long as the building or structure towhich they apply remains in existence, unless otherwise provided for by other

regulations.

APPROVAL

Approval is another part of the job description for code officials. Most workers in

the trades think of inspectors when they think of code requirements. This is com-

mon and on target. Lets discuss some of the approval issues to be considered by

code officials.

Modifications

Practical difficulties can result in a code officials decision to make a modification

in code requirements. Prior to such modification, a code official is required to find

that a special individual reason makes the strict letter of the code impractical. Any


!CodealertCode officials are required to issue all necessary notices or orders toensure compliance with the code.


29/241

modification must be in compliance with the intent and purpose of this code and

must not lessen health, life, and fire safety requirements. All details of any action

granting modifications are required to be entered in the files of the Department of

Inspection.

Alternative Options

Alternative options for methods and materials are allowed by code-enforcement

officers. However, the options must be approved. As long as the option is intended

to deliver the same intent of the code in an equal or better manner or quality, a

code official may approve the alternate course.

Testing

Testing can be required by a code official when there is insufficient evidence of

compliance with the provisions of the code. Test methods shall be as specified in

the code or other recognized test standards. If there are no recognized and ac-

cepted test methods, the code official shall approve a testing procedure. All tests

shall be performed by an approved agency. All reports of tests shall be retained by

the code official for the period required for retention of public records.

PERMITS

Permits are required in most instances for any type of new work. Property own-

ers, authorized agents, or contractors who plan to erect, install, enlarge, alter, re-

pair, remove, convert, or replace an installation regulated by the code or to cause

such work to be done require a permit. There is an exception: Where equipmentreplacements and repairs are required to be performed in an emergency situation,

the permit application shall be submitted within the next working business day of

the Department of Inspection.

Permits are not required for portable heating appliances. The replacement of

any minor component of equipment that does not alter the prior approval of such

equipment or make such equipment unsafe does not require a permit. When a per-


TradetipIf there are no recognized and accepted test methods, the code official shall

approve a testing procedure. All tests shall be performed by an approved

agency.


30/241

mit is not required, work performed must remain in compliance with the code and

the laws or ordinances of the jurisdiction.

Permit Application

Permit application requires a fee. The application and fee are filed with a code of-

ficial on an official form provided for that purpose. The forms are available from

local code-enforcement offices. Applications must be signed by the property

owner or an authorized agent. The proposed occupancy of all parts of a building

must be described in the permit application.

Unless waived by a code official, construction documents are required when a

permit is applied for. Construction documents, engineering calculations, dia-

grams, and other data may be required prior to the issuance of a permit. These doc-

uments are generally required to be prepared by registered design professionals.

Permit Issuance

Code officials are required to issue permits when all application matters are com-plied with. Common requirements for the issuance of a permit include:

Permit application

Construction documents

Diagrams

Engineering calculations

Related pertinent data

Application fee

Approved Construction Documents

When a code official issues a permit for which construction documents are re-

quired, the construction documents shall be endorsed in writing and stamped "AP-

PROVED." Once the documents are approved and stamped, they may not be

changed in any way without approval from the code official. All work performed

must be done in accordance with the approved plans.


?

Did you knowMaterials, equipment, and devices shall not be reused unless such elementshave been reconditioned, tested, placed in proper working condition and

approved.


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Validity

The issuance of a permit or approval of construction documents shall not be con-

strued to be a permit for or an approval of any violation of any of the provisions

of the code or of other ordinances of the jurisdiction. A permit presuming to give

authority to violate or cancel the provisions of the code shall be invalid.

If an error is made in the issuance of a permit by a code official, the code of-

ficial has the right to correct any mistake that was made. A stop-work order can

be issued by the code official if the mistake is of such a type to warrant such dras-

tic action.

Expiration

Permits come with time limits. Work must commence under the permit within 180

days. If it does not, the permit will become null and void. Be aware that once work

starts, it must continue. If the work being done under a permit is suspended or

abandoned for a period of 180 days or more at any time once the work has started,

this can result in the loss of the permit. If a permit does expire, a new permit will

be required to resume work. Usually, the fee for the renewal permit is one-half the

cost of the original permit. There are two exceptions: If work has been stopped for

more than a year, the process of obtaining a permit goes back to the normal pro-

cedure of getting a new permit; and,when work will deviate from the originalplans and specifications, a new permit process is required.

Extensions

Active permits that require more time for the completion of work can be used to

apply for an extension. An extension may be approved for an additional 180 days

if there is reasonable cause for the request. Extensions are limited to a one-time

event. Fees for extensions tend to be half the cost of a new permit.


?

Did you knowCode officials shall have the authority to issue a permit for the construction of

part of an installation before the construction documents for the entire instal-

lation have been submitted or approved. There is, however, no guarantee that

a permit for the entire project will be issued until all application documents

are in and approved. Acting with a partial permit is risky in the event that the

full project is not authorized.


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Retention of Documents

One set of construction documents shall be retained by the code official until fi-

nal approval of the work covered therein. One set of approved construction docu-

ments shall be returned to the applicant, and said set shall be kept on the site of the

building or work at all times during which the work authorized thereby is in

progress.

Working Without a Permit

Working without a permit when a permit is required is not good business. At

the very least, a person caught beginning work without a required permit is going

to have to pay a fee of 100 percent of the cost of a permit plus the cost of a permit.

In other words, you will pay twice as much for a permit when you get one. Dont

begin work without a required permit.

The refunding of permit fees may occur up to 180 days after a permit fee is

paid. Percentage amounts for the refunds vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

Check with your local code enforcement office for details on refund amounts.

INSPECTIONS

A permit holder is required to notify a code official when work is ready for a re-

quired inspection. When a code official conducts a required inspection, the offi-


!CodealertCode officers are required to revoke permits or approvals issued underthe provisions of the code in cases where false information or facts in

the application or construction documents were provided.

?Did you know

A permit shall not be issued until the fees required by the code are paid. If an

amendment to a permit is requested, it must not be issued until the required

fee is paid.


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cial must either allow work to proceed or identify violations that must be corrected

before work progresses. There are three types of inspections required: under-

ground inspections, rough-in inspections, and final inspections.

Underground Inspections

Underground inspection shall be made after trenches or ditches are excavated and

bedded and piping is installed and before backfill is put in place. When excavated

soil contains rocks, broken concrete, frozen chunks, and other rubble that would

damage or break the piping or cause corrosive action it must not be used. Cleanbackfill shall be on the site.

Rough-In Inspections

Rough-in inspections are made after the roof, framing, fireblocking, and bracing

are in place and components to be concealed are complete and prior to the instal-

lation of wall or ceiling membranes.

Final Inspections

Final inspections take place upon the full completion of all work.

HEATING EQUIPMENT

Heating equipment installed to replace existing equipment serving an occupiedportion of a structure can be treated as an emergency action and does not require

a permit to be obtained prior to work being done, in the event that a request for in-

spection of such heating equipment has been filed with the department not more

than 48 hours after replacement work is completed and before any portion of such

equipment is concealed by any permanent portion of the structure. Remember,

though, that you must apply for all applicable permits within 48 hours of complet-

ing the work.


Tradetip

The code official shall accept reports of approved agencies, provided thatsuch agencies satisfy the requirements as to qualifications and reliability.


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PREFABRICATED CONSTRUCTION

Prefabricated construction has become very popular. Since this type of construc-

tion is done off the construction site and much of the work that would normally be

inspected is concealed prior to placement on a building lot, how do you account

for the inspection requirements? The process is actually quite simple. A manufac-

turer of prefabricated construction must provide a code official with detailed sub-

mittals for consideration. Once the documents are reviewed and approved, a per-

mit can be issued. Several factors may be included in the submittals, some of

which include:

Evaluation report

Complete installation details

A description of systems and components

The basis upon which the system is being evaluated

Test results

Other data as specifically required

Follow-up Inspections

Follow-up inspections can be required, unless there is ready access provided to in-

stallations, service equipment, and accessories. Code officials are required to con-


Tradetip

New installations and parts of existing installations that have been altered,extended, renovated or repaired must be tested as prescribed by the code to

disclose leaks and defects.

TradetipWhen an evaluation service is required, a code official shall designate the

service of an approved agency and review the agencys evaluation report for

adequacy and conformance to the code.


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duct in-plant inspections as frequently as necessary to ensure performance com-

plies with an approved evaluation report. At the discretion of a code official, anindependent inspection agency may be appointed by the code official. When an

independent inspection is done, a report of inspections must be furnished to the

code official upon request. Additionally, a label permanently affixed to the system

indicating that factory inspections have been performed is required.

Required test and inspection records must be made available to code officials

at all times during the fabrication of an installation and the erection of a building.

Records required by a code official must be filed.

Approval

Once all required testing and inspection are done and prove the work to be in com-

pliance with code requirements, a code official approves the work. This approval

is done in writing and filed.

Temporary connection to sources of energy can be approved by a code official

to allow the testing of an installation. It is also possible to obtain a temporary cer-

tificate of occupancy at the discretion of a code official.

VIOLATIONS

Violations of code requirements can bring big trouble. The code is not to be taken

lightly. It is a violation of law for a person, firm, or corporation to perform code-

regulated work in violation of code requirements.


?

Did you knowWhere any work or installation does not pass an initial test or inspection, thenecessary corrections shall be made so as to achieve compliance with the

code. Once corrections are made, the work must be resubmitted to the code of-

ficial for inspection and testing.

?Did you know

Testing required by the code is done by the permit holder and observed by a

code official. Apparatus, instruments, materials, and labor required for testing

an installation or part thereof shall be furnished by the permit holder.


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When a code violation is discovered, a code official is required to serve no-

tice on the appropriate party that a code violation exists. The official order must

direct the discontinuance of the illegal action or condition and the abatement of

the violation.

The recipient of a violation notice must take corrective action promptly. If this

does not occur, a code official is required to press the matter with legal counsel ofthe jurisdiction being served. All remedies allowed by law may be brought to bear

in an attempt to abate the code violation.

Punishment

What is the punishment for a code violation? It may be a simple fine, but some

code violations can result in imprisonment. In some cases, a fine and imprison-

ment may both be handed out as a punishment. Each day that a violation contin-ues after due notice has been served shall be deemed a separate offense.

Stop-work Order

If a code official issues a stop-work order, all work must cease immediately. The

notice must be in writing and given to the property owner, the owners agent, or

the person doing the work. A stop-work order must define the conditions under

which work is authorized to resume. In the event of emergency circumstances, a

code official is not required to provide written notice prior to stopping work.

Failure to comply with a stop-work order is likely to result in a fine.

Unsafe Conditions

Unsafe conditions surrounding work are considered to be conditions in which the

work is unsafe, constitutes a fire or health hazard, or is otherwise dangerous to hu-

man life. Unsafe installations are considered to be a public nuisance that must be

abated by repair, rehabilitation, demolition, or removal.


!CodealertWhat is the punishment for a code violation? It may be a simple fine,

but some code violations can result in imprisonment. In some cases, a

fine and imprisonment may both be handed out as a punishment. Each

day that a violation continues after due notice has been served shall be

deemed a separate offense.


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Condemned Installations

A code official can condemn a site when there is reasonable belief on the part of

the official that any installation or portion thereof regulated by the code becomeshazardous to life, health, or property. When a site is condemned, a written notice

is presented that outlines what is required to abate the situation. The notice must

include a time limit for compliance to take place.

A person shall not use or maintain a defective installation after receiving such

notice. If an installation is to be disconnected, written notice must be given. In

cases of immediate danger to life or property, such disconnection shall be made

immediately without such notice.

Disconnection

Code officers have the authority to have utilities disconnected from buildings and

structures when emergency conditions exist. If this is to be done, the utility server

must be notified. An attempt will be made to notify the property owner. If a prop-

erty owner cannot be notified prior to disconnection, the property owner shall be

notified in writing as soon as is practicable thereafter.

Reconnection

A person must not make energy-source connections to installations regulated by

the code that have been disconnected or ordered to be disconnected by the code

official. The use of an energy-source connection that has been shut down or or-

dered shut down, until approved by a code official, is prohibited. In the event that

compliance is not provided to an official order, the code official shall institute ap-

propriate action to prevent, restrain, correct, or abate the violation.

APPEAL

A person has a right to appeal a decision made by a code official. This process be-

gins with an application for appeal. The request must state that the appeal is based

on a claim that the true intent of the code or rules legally adopted under the code

has been interpreted incorrectly. An application for appeal must be filed on a form

obtained by a code official within 20 days after the notice was served.

Membership of Board of Appeals

The board of appeals consists of five members. They are appointed by the chief

appointing authority. The members are appointed for staggered terms. The details

are as follows:

One for five years



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One for four years

One for three years

One for two years One for one year

Thereafter, each new member shall serve for five years or until a successor has

been appointed

Qualifications

What are the qualifications needed to hold a place on the membership board? The

five individuals who sit on the board must come from five different walks of life.Rules call for the following requirements:

One member must be a registered design professional who is a registered archi-

tect, builder, or superintendent of building construction. Ten years of experience

are required. Half of this experience must have been gained as the person in

charge of work.

One member must be a registered design professional with structural-engineer-

ing or architectural experience.

One member must be a registered design professional with fuel-gas and plumb-ing-engineering experience or a fuel-gas contractor with at least 10 years of ex-

perience, with half of that experience gained while in charge of work.

One member must be a registered design professional with fire-protection-engi-

neering experience or a fire-protection contractor with at least 10 years of expe-

rience, with half of that experience gained while in charge of work.

Board Organization

The board is required to select one of its members to serve as chairman once a

year. Members must not hear an appeal in which the members have a personal or

professional interest in the proceeding. Selection of a qualified clerk to serve as


!CodealertThe chief appointing authority shall appoint two alternate members,

who shall be called by the board chairman to hear appeals during the

absence or disqualification of a member. Alternate members shall pos-

sess the qualifications required for board membership and shall be ap-

pointed for five years or until a successor has been appointed.


39/241

secretary to the board is made by the chief administrative officer. Compensation

for members is determined by law.

The board shall meet upon notice from the chairman within 10 days of the fil-

ing of an appeal or at stated periodic meetings. Hearings before the board shall be

open to the public. Anyone affected by an appeal has an opportunity to attend an

open hearing. The board must adopt and make available to the public through the

secretary procedures under which a hearing will be conducted. The procedures

shall not require compliance with strict rules of evidence but shall mandate that

only relevant information be received.

An appeal hearing can be postponed if fewer than five board members are

present. It takes a concurring vote of at least three board members to modify or re-verse a decision made by a code official. The decision of an appeal board must be

by resolution. Certified copies shall be furnished to the appellant and to the code

official. It is then up to the code official to take immediate action in accordance

with the decision of the board.

Any person, whether or not a previous party to an appeal, shall have the right

to apply to the appropriate court for a writ of certiorari to correct errors of law.

Application for review shall be made in the manner and time required by law fol-

lowing the filing of the decision in the office of the chief administrative officer.Well, there you have it. We are done with the administration section of the

code. Understanding definitions is next on our list, so lets turn to Chapter 2 and

get a clear understanding of the words, terms, and phrases used in the code.



40/241

CHAPTER 2

DEFINITIONS

Definitions are important when interpreting the code. If you dont have a clear un-

derstanding of what words and phrases mean, you are going to have a rough ride

trying to read the code properly. This chapter is going to review the meaning of

terms as they are defined by the code.

When dealing with the code, words used in the present tense include the future

tense. Words in masculine gender include the feminine and neuter genders. A sin-

gle number includes a plural number, and a plural number also indicates a single

number.

Terms that are not specifically defined in this section have ordinarily accepted

meanings as the context implies. Terms defined in other codes carry the meanings

in those codes.

Definitions dont require a lot of interpretation.. Dont skip this chapter. I

know it may seem senseless to put a lot of effort into learning definitions.

However, you will not be able to do your best work with the code if you dont un-

derstand the definitions.ACCESS (TO): That which enables a device, appliance, or equipment to be read-

ily reached or by a means that first requires the removal or movement of a panel,

door, or similar obstruction.

AIR CONDITIONER, GAS-FIRED: A gas-burning, automatically operated

appliance for supplying cooled and/or dehumidified air or chilled liquid.

AIR CONDITIONING: The treatment of air so as to control simultaneously the

temperature, humidity, cleanness, and distribution to meet the requirements of a

space.

AIR, EXHAUST: Air being removed from any space or piece of equipment and

conveyed directly to the atmosphere by means of openings or ducts.

AIR-HANDLING UNIT: A blower or fan used for the purpose of distributing

supply air to a room, space, or area.

AIR, MAKEUP: Air provided to replace air being exhausted.

2.1



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ALTERATION: A change in a system that involves an extension, addition, or

change to the arrangement, type, or purpose of the original installation.

ANODELESS RISER: A transition assembly in which plastic piping is installed

and terminated above ground outside of a building.

APPLIANCE, AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLED: Appliances equipped

with an automatic burner ignition, safety shutoff device, and other automatic de-

vices that accomplish complete turn-on and shutoff of the gas to the main burner

or burners and graduate the gas supply to the burner or burners, but do not affect

complete shutoff of the gas.

APPLIANCE (EQUIPMENT): Any apparatus or equipment that utilizes gas as a

fuel or raw material to produce light, heat, power, refrigeration, or air conditioning.APPLIANCE, FAN-ASSISTED COMBUSTION: An appliance equipped with

an integral mechanical means to either draw or force products of combustion

through a chamber or heat exchanger.

APPLIANCE, LOW-HEAT (RESIDENTIAL): Any appliance in which the

products of combustion at the point of entrance to the flue under normal operating

conditions have a temperature of 1,000 degrees F.

APPLIANCE, MEDIUM-HEAT: Any appliance in which the products of com-bustion at the point of entrance to the flue under normal operating conditions have

a temperature of more than 1000 degrees F, but not greater than 2000 degrees F.

APPLIANCE, UNVENTED: An appliance designed or installed in such a man-

ner that the products of combustion are not conveyed by a vent or chimney directly

to the outside atmosphere.

APPLIANCE, VENTED: An appliance designed and installed in such a manner

that all of the products of combustion are conveyed directly from the appliance to

the outside atmosphere through an approved chimney or vent system.

APPROVED: Acceptable to the code official or other authority having

jurisdiction.

APPROVED AGENCY: An established and recognized agency that is accept-

able to the code official and regularly engaged in conducting tests or furnishing

inspection services.

ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE: The pressure of the weight of air and water va-

por on the surface of the earth, approximately 14.7 pounds per square inch (psi) atsea level.

AUTOMATIC IGNITION: Ignition of gas at the burner(s) when the gas-control-

ling device is turned on, including reignition if the flames on the burner(s) have

been extinguished by means other than by the closing of the gas-controlling device.

BAFFLE: An object placed in an appliance to change the direction of or retard

the flow of air, air-gas mixtures, or flue gases.

BAROMETRIC DRAFT REGULATOR: A balanced damper device at-


42/241

tached to a chimney, vent connector, breeching, or flue-gas manifold to protect

combustion equipment by controlling chimney draft. A double-acting baromet-

ric draft regulator is one whose balancing damper is free to move in either di-

rection to protect combustion equipment from both excessive draft and backdraft.

BOILER, HOT-WATER-HEATING: A boiler in which no steam is generated,

from which hot water is circulated for heating purposes and then returned to the

appliance and that operates at water pressures not exceeding 160 pounds per-

square-inch gauge (psig) and at water temperatures not exceeding 250 degrees F

at or near the outlet.

BOILER, HOT-WATER-SUPPLY: A boiler completely filled with water thatfurnishes hot water to be used externally and that operates at water pressures not

exceeding 160 psig and at water temperatures not exceeding 250 degrees F at or

near the outlet.

BOILER, LOW-PRESSURE: A self-contained appliance for supplying steam

or hot water.

BOILER, STEAM-HEATING: A boiler in which steam is generated and that

operates at a steam pressure not exceeding 15 psig.

BRAZING: A metal-joining process wherein coalescence is produced by the use

of a nonferrous filler metal having a melting point above 1000 degrees F but lower

than that of the base metal being joined. The filler material is distributed between

the closely fitted surfaces of the joint by capillary action.

BROILER: A general term including salamanders, barbecues, and other appli-

ances cooling primarily by radiated heat, excepting toasters.

BTU: Abbreviation for British thermal unit, which is the quantity of heat required

to raise the temperature of one pound of water 1 degree F.

BURNER: A device for the final conveyance of a gas or a mixture of gas and air

to the combustion zone.

BURNER, INDUCED-DRAFT: A burner that depends on draft induced by a fan

that is an integral part of the appliance and is located downstream from the burner.

BURNER, POWER: A burner in which gas, air, or both are supplied at pressures

exceeding, for gas, the line pressure,, and, for air, atmospheric pressure, with this

added pressure being applied at the burner.CHIMNEY: A primarily vertical structure containing one or more flues for the

purpose of carrying gaseous products of combustion and air from an appliance to

the outside atmosphere.

CHIMNEY, FACTORY-BUILT: A listed and labeled chimney composed of

factory-made components, assembled in the field in accordance with manufac-

turers instructions and the conditions of the listing.

CHIMNEY, MASONRY: A field-constructed chimney composed of solid ma-

DEFINITIONS 2.3


43/241

sonry units, bricks, stones, or concrete.

CHIMNEY, METAL: A field-constructed chimney made of metal.

CLEARANCE: The minimum distance through air measured between the heat-producing surface of the mechanical appliance, device, or equipment and the sur-

face of the combustible material or assembly.

CLOTHES DRYER: An appliance used to dry wet laundry by means of heated air.

CLOTHES DRYER, TYPE 1: A factory-built package in multiple production,

primarily used in family living environments; usually the smallest unit physically

and in function output.

CLOTHES DRYER, TYPE 2: A factory-built package in multiple production,

used in public Laundromats; not designed for use in individual family living en-

vironments.

CODE: Regulations, subsequent amendments thereto, or any emergency rule or

regulation that the administrative authority having jurisdiction has lawfully

adopted.

CODE OFFICIAL: The officer or other designated authority charged with the

administration and enforcement of a code or a duly authorized representative.

COMBUSTION: In the context of this code, the rapid oxidation of fuel accom-panied by the production of heat or heat and light.

COMBUSTION AIR: Air necessary for complete combustion of a fuel, includ-

ing theoretical air and excess air.

COMBUSTION CHAMBER: The portion of an appliance within which com-

bustion occurs.

COMBUSTION PRODUCTS: Constituents resulting from the combustion of a

fuel with the oxygen of the air, including inert gases but excluding excess air

CONCEALED LOCATION: A location that cannot be accessed without damag-

ing permanent parts of the building structure or finish surface. Spaces above, below,

or behind readily removable panels or doors are not considered to be concealed.

CONCEALED PIPING: Piping that is located in an inaccessible location.

CONDENSATE: The liquid that condenses from a gas, including flue gas,

caused by a reduction in temperature or an increase in pressure.

CONNECTOR, APPLIANCE (FUEL): A rigid metallic pipe and fittings, semi-rigid metallic tubing and fittings, or listed and laved device that connects an ap-

pliance to the gas-piping system.

CONNECTOR, CHIMNEY OR VENT: The pipe that connects an appliance to

a chimney or vent.

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS: All of the written, graphic, and pictorial

documents prepared or assembled for describing the design, location, and physi-

cal characteristics of the elements of the project necessary for obtaining a permit.



44/241

CONTROL: A manual or automatic device designed to regulate the gas, air, wa-

ter, or electrical supply to or operation of a mechanical system.

CONVERSION BURNER: A unit consisting of a burner and its controls for in-

stallation in an appliance originally utilizing another fuel.

COUNTER APPLIANCES: Appliances such as coffee brewers and any appur-

tenant water-heating equipment, food and dish warmers, hot plates, griddles, waf-

fle bakers, and other appliances designed for installation on or in a counter.

CUBIC FOOT: The amount of gas that occupies 1 cubic foot at a temperature of

60 degrees F, saturated with water vapor and under a pressure equivalent to that

of 30 inches of mercury.

DAMPER: A manually or automatically controlled device to regulate draft or therate of flow of air or combustion gases.

DECORATIVE APPLIANCE, VENTED: A vented appliance wherein the pri-

mary function lies in the aesthetic effect of the flames.

DECORATIVE APPLIANCE, VENTED FIREPLACE: A vented appliance

designed for installation within the fire chamber of a vented fireplace, wherein the

primary function lies in the aesthetic effect of the flames.

DEMAND: The maximum amount of gas input required per unit of time, usuallyexpressed in cubic feet per hour or BTU/h.

DESIGN-FLOOD ELEVATION: The elevation of the design flood including

wave height, relative to the datum specified on the communitys legally desig-

nated flood hazard map.

DILUTION AIR: Air that is introduced into a draft hood and mixed with the flue

gases.

DIRECT-VENT APPLIANCES:Appliances that are constructed and installedso that all air for combustion is derived directly from the outside atmosphere and

all flue gases are discharged directly to the outside atmosphere.

DRAFT: The pressure difference existing between the equipment or any compo-

nent part and the atmosphere, which causes a continuous flow of air and products

of combustion through the gas passages of the appliance to the atmosphere.

DRAFT HOOD: A nonadjustable device built into an appliance or made as part

of the vent connector from an appliance, designed to (1) provide for ready escape

of the flue gases from the appliance in the event of no draft, back draft, or stop-page beyond the draft hood; (2) prevent a back draft from entering the appliance;

and (3) neutralize the effect of stack action of the chimney or gas vent upon oper-

ation of the appliance.

DRAFT, MECHANICAL OR INDUCED: The pressure difference created by

the action of a fan, blower, or ejector that is located between the appliance and the

chimney or vent termination.

DRAFT, NATURAL: The pressure difference created by a vent or chimney due to

DEFINITIONS 2.5


45/241

its height and the temperature difference between the flue gases and the atmosphere.

DRAFT REGULATOR: A device that functions to maintain a desired draft in

the appliance by automatically reducing the draft to the desired value.

DRIP: The container placed at a low point in a system of piping to collect con-

densate and from which the condensate is removable.

DRY GAS: A gas having a moisture and hydrocarbon dew point below any nor-

mal temperature to which the gas piping is exposed.

DUCT FURNACE: A warm-air furnace normally installed in an air-distribution

duct to supply warm air for heating. This definition shall apply only to a warm-air

heating appliance that depends for air circulation on a blower not furnished as part

of the furnace.

DUCT SYSTEM: A continuous passageway for the transmission of air that, in

addition to ducts, includes ducts fittings, dampers, plenums, fans, and accessory

air-handling equipment.

DWELLING UNIT: A single unit providing complete, independent living facil-

ities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping,

eating, cooking, and sanitation.

EQUIPMENT: See Appliance.

FIREPLACE: A fire chamber and hearth constructed of noncombustible mate-

rial for use with solid fuels and provided with a chimney.

FIREPLACE, FACTORY-BUILT: A fireplace composed of listed factory-built

components assembled in accordance with the terms of listing to form the com-

pleted fireplace.

FIREPLACE, MASONRY: A hearth and fire chamber of solid masonry units

such as bricks, stones, listed masonry units, or reinforced concrete, provided witha suitable chimney.

FIRING VALVE: A valve of the plug and barrel type designed for use with gas

and equipped with a lever handle for manual operation and a dial to indicate the

percentage of opening.

FLAME SAFEGUARD: A device that will automatically shut off the fuel sup-

ply to a main burner or group of burners when the means of ignition of such burn-

ers becomes inoperative and when flame failure occurs on the burner or group of

burners.

FLOOD HAZARD AREA: The greater of the following two areas: (1) the area

within a flood plain subject to a 1 percent or greater change of flooding in any

given year or (2) the area designated as a flood hazard area on a communitys

flood hazard map or otherwise legally designated.

FLOOR FURNACE: A completely self-contained furnace suspended from the

floor of the space being heated, taking air for combustion from outside such space

and with means for observing flames and lighting the appliance from such space.



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FLOOR FURNACE, FAN TYPE: A floor furnace equipped with a fan that pro-

vides the primary means for circulating air.

FLOOR FURNACE, GRAVITY-TYPE: A floor furnace depending primarily

upon circulation of air by gravity. This classification also includes floor furnaces

equipped with booster-type fans that do not materially restrict free circulation of

air by gravity flow when such fans are not in operation.

FLUE, APPLIANCE: The passage(s) within an appliance through which com-

bustion products pass from the combustion chamber of the appliance to the draft-

hood inlet opening equipped with a draft hood or to the outlet of the appliance on

an appliance not equipped with a draft hood.

FLUE COLLAR: That portion of an appliance designed for the attachment of adraft hood, vent connector, or venting system.

FLUE GASES: Products of combustion plus excess air in appliance flues or heat

exchangers.

FLUE LINER: A system or material used to form the inside surface of a flue in

a chimney or vent for the purpose of protecting the surrounding structure from the

effects of combustion products and for conveying combustion products without

leakage to the atmosphere.

FUEL GAS: A natural gas, manufactured gas, liquefied-petroleum gas, or mix-tures of these gases.

FUEL-GAS-UTILIZATION EQUIPMENT: See Appliance.

FURNACE: A completely self-contained heating unit that is designed to supply

heated air to spaces remote from or adjacent to the appliance location.

FURNACE, CENTRAL: A self-contained appliance for heating air by transfer

of the heat of combustion through metal to the air and designed to supply heated

air through ducts to a space remote from or adjacent to the appliance location.FURNACE, DOWN-FLOW: A furnace designed with air-flow discharge verti-

cally downward at or near the bottom of the furnace.

FURNACE, ENCLOSED: A specific heating or heating and ventilating fur-

nace incorporating an integral total enclosure and using only outside air for

combustion.

FURNACE, FORCED-AIR: A central furnace equipped with a fan or blower

that provides the primary means for circulation of air.

FURNACE, FORCED-AIR WITH COOLING UNIT: A single-package unit,

consisting of a gas-fired forced-air furnace combined with an electrically or fuel-

gas-powered summer air-conditioning system contained in a common casting.

FURNACE, GRAVITY WITH BOOSTER FAN: A furnace equipped with a

booster fan that does not materially restrict free circulation of air by gravity flow

when the fan is not in operation.

FURNACE, GRAVITY-TYPE: A central furnace depending primarily on circu-

lation of air by gravity.

DEFINITIONS 2.7


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FURNACE, HORIZONTAL FORCED-AIR: A furnace with air flow through

the appliance essentially in a horizontal path.

FURNACE, MULTIPLE-POSITION: A furnace designed so that it can be in-

stalled with the air-flow discharge in the up-flow, horizontal, or down-flow

direction.

FURNACE PLENUM: An air compartment or chamber to which one or more

ducts are connected and that forms part of an air-distribution system.

FURNACE, UP-FLOW: A furnace designed with air-flow discharge vertically

upward at or near the top of the furnace. This classification includes highboy

furnaces with the blower mounted below the heating element and lowboy fur-

naces with the blower mounted beside the heating element.GAS CONVENIENCE OUTLET: A permanently mounted, manually operated

device that provides the means for connecting an appliance to and disconnecting and

appliance from the supply piping. The device includes an integral manually oper-

ated valve with a nondisplaceable valve member designed so that disconnection of

an appliance only occurs when the manually operated value is in the closed position.

GAS PIPING: An installation of pipe, valves, or fittings installed on a premise or

in a building and utilized to convey fuel gas.

GAS-UTILIZATION EQUIPMENT: An appliance that utilizes gas as a fuel,

raw material, or both.

HAZARDOUS LOCATION: Any location considered to be a fire hazard for

flammable vapors, dust, combustible fibers, or other highly combustible sub-

stances. The location is not necessarily categorized in the building code as a high-

hazard group.

HOUSE PIPING: See Piping system.

IGNITION PILOT: A pilot that operates during the lighting cycle and discontin-

ues during main burner operations.

IGNITION SOURCE: A flame, spark, or hot surface capable of igniting flam-

mable vapors or fumes. Such sources include appliance burners, burner igniters,

and electrical switching devices.

INCINERATOR: An appliance used to reduce combustible refuse material to

ashes and manufactured, sold, and installed as a complete unit.

INDUSTRIAL AIR HEATERS, DIRECT-FIRED, NONRECIRCULAT-ING: A heater in which all the products of combustion generated by the burners

are released into the air stream being heated. The purpose of the heater is to offset

building heat loss by heating only outdoor air.

INDUSTRIAL AIR HEATERS, DIRECT-FIRED RECIRCULATING: A

heater in which all the products of combustion generated by the burners are re-

leased into the air stream being heated. Such heaters are of either the vented or un-

vented type.



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INFRARED RADIANT HEATER: A heater that directs a substantial amount of

its energy output in the form of infrared radiant energy into the area to be heated.

Such heaters are of either the vented or unvented type.

JOINT, FLANGED: A joint made by bolting together a pair of flanged ends.

JOINT, FLARED: A metal-to-metal compression joint in which a conical spread

is made on the end of a tube that is compressed by a flare nut against a mating

flare.

JOINT, MECHANICAL: A general form of gas-tight joint obtained by the join-

ing of metal parts through a positive-holding mechanical construction, such as a

flanged joint, threaded joint, flared joint, or compression joint.

JOINT, PLASTIC ADHESIVE: A joint made in thermoset plastic piping by theuse of an adhesive substance that forms a continuous bond between the mating

surfaces without dissolving either one of them.

JOINT, PLASTIC HEAT-FUSION: A joint made in thermoplastic piping by

heating the parts sufficiently to permit fusion of the materials when the parts are

pressed together.

JOINT, WELDED: A gas-tight joint obtained by the joining of metal parts in a

molten state.LABELED: Devices, equipment, appliances, or materials to which have been af-

fixed a label, seal, symbol, or other identifying mark of a nationally recognized

testing laboratory, inspection agency, or other organization concerned with prod-

uct evaluation that maintains periodic inspection of the production of the above-

labeled items and by whose label the manufacturer attests to compliance with ap-

plicable nationally recognized standards.

LIMIT CONTROL: A device responsive to changes in pressure, temperature, or

level for turning on, shutting off, or throttling the gas supply to an appliance.

LIQUEFIED-PETROLEUM GAS (LPG): A gas composed predominantly of

propane, propylene, butanes or butylenes, or mixtures thereof that is gaseous un-

der normal atmospheric conditions but is capable of being liquefied under moder-

ate pressure at normal temperatures.

LISTED: Equipment, appliances, or materials included in a list published by a na-

tionally recognized testing laboratory, inspection agency, or other organization

concerned with product evaluation that maintains periodic inspection of produc-

tion of listed equipment, appliances, or materials and whose listing states either

that the equipment, appliance, or material meets nationally recognized standards

or has been tested and found suitable for use in a specified manner. The means for

identifying listed equipment, appliances, or materials may vary for each testing

laboratory, inspection agency, or other organization concerned with product eval-

uation, some of which do not recognize equipment, appliances, or materials as

listed unless they are also labeled. The authority having jurisdiction shall utilize

the system employed by the listing organization to identify a listed product.

DEFINITIONS 2.9


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LIVING SPACE: Space within a dwelling unit utilized for living, sleeping, eat-

ing, cooking, bathing, washing, and sanitation purposes.

LOG LIGHTER: A manually operated solid-fuel-ignition appliance for installa-

tion in a vented solid-fuel-burning fireplace.

LUBRICATED PLUG-TYPE VALVE: A valve of the plug and barrel type pro-

vided with a means for maintaining a lubricant between the bearing surfaces.

MAIN BURNER: A device or group of devices essentially forming an integral

unit for the final conveyance of gas or a mixture of gas and air to the combustion

zone and on which combustion takes place to accomplish the function for which

the appliance is designed.

METER: The instrument installed to measure the volume of gas deliveredthrough it.

MODULATING: Also known as throttling, the action of a control from its max-

imum to minimum position in either predetermined steps or increments of move-

ment as caused by its actuating medium.

OCCUPANCY: The purpose for which a building or portion thereof is utilized or

occupied.

OFFSET (VENT): A combination of approved bends that makes two changes indirection, bringing one section of the vent out of line but into a line parallel with

the other section.

ORIFICE: The opening in a cap, spud, or other device whereby the flow of gas

is limited and through which the gas is discharged to the burner.

OUTLET: A threaded connection or bolted flange in a pipe system to which a

gas-burning appliance is attached.

OXYGEN-DEPLETION SAFETY SHUTOFF SYSTEM (ODS): A systemdesigned to shut off the gas supply to the main and pilot burners if the oxygen in

the surrounding atmosphere is reduced below a predetermined level.

PILOT: A small flame that is utilized to ignite the gas at the main burner or burners.

PIPING: A pipe, tubing, or both. Pipe is a rigid conduit of iron, steel, copper, brass,

or plastic. Tubing is a semirigid conduit of copper, aluminum, plastic, or steel.

PIPING