Unusual boiler Vent

[Steven Hockstein]

This house was built in 1989 and the gas fired boiler is power vented through this piece of duct. I wrote it up as a hazard because it can be easily blocked by water or snow. Additionally, I noted that an animal can enter into the duct and block it.

The boiler was serviced by a heating contractor in March, 2012 and a new duct was installed.

Was this ever allowed??

Click to Enlarge

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[kurt]

Nope. There's direct vent boilers, but the vent discharge has to be above possible snow drift height; there's no specific height stipulated.

It certainly can't be discharged below grade.

[Jerry Simon]

there's no specific height stipulated.

Most say 12" above any anticipated snow level. . .

Truly non-specific.

[Tom Corrigan]

Actually it's very specific thanks to your government.

NOAA can provide the historical max depth of snow accumulation for most areas. The 12" of clearance is above this depth.

Tom Corrigan

[Jerry Simon]

Actually it's very specific thanks to your government.

NOAA can provide the historical max depth of snow accumulation for most areas. The 12" of clearance is above this depth.

Tom Corrigan

I kinda disagree. As Kurt mentioned, snow drifts. Snowfall depth records don't account for drift heights.

[Bain]

Our local gas utility uses the 12" rule. Anything less, the furnace gets red-tagged.

[kurt]

Actually it's very specific thanks to your government.

NOAA can provide the historical max depth of snow accumulation for most areas. The 12" of clearance is above this depth.

Tom Corrigan

I kinda disagree. As Kurt mentioned, snow drifts. Snowfall depth records don't account for drift heights.

Yep, read it. No height, and drifting is noted as a reason.

[Darren]

Here in the lovely Garden State, the anticipated snow level is 6 inches; so the vent termination must be 18 inches above the ground or roof.

Download Attachment: snowlevel nj.pdf

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[asihi]

You didn't mention who the manufacturer is, but this is Weil-Mclane's direct-vent requirements. I would assume they are all pretty much the same.

Download Attachment: Weil-McLane direct vent.pdf

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