Radon fan clearances?

[NJinspector]

Anybody have any references that state how far the exterior fan has to be from an exhaust vent? This just looks wrong to me. That's the water heater exhaust vent right next to the fan.

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[ericwlewis]

isn't a radon mitigation system sealed from top to bottom?

I may be wrong but it doesn't seem like an issue to me.

[Charlie R]

What issue do you think would be involved with this installation, other than aesthetics? The radon tube is sealed, as is the fan. The fan will not create any air turbulence so it will not interfere with the venting process. The vent can still vent.

[NJinspector]

Won't the exhaust begin to corrode the fan over time if its that close?

[Tom Raymond]

Won't the water heater be exhausting close to the same amount of radon as the mitigation system? Or possibly more if the NG was fracked from shale?

[Les]

I am with Jason on this one. I don't think the fan will corrode, because it is never exposed to the combustion gases. The radon system is supposed to be sealed.

I do have additional observations and questions; Will condensation form around the radon suction and discharge pipes? Will the configuration (shape) of the radon fan cause a change is the natural air flow around the vent pipe? Is this fan rated for that size pipe? Is the radon fan perfectly balanced and causes no vibration that carries over to the other pipe? etc..

Sometimes common sense trumps all the other nonsense of a specification! Who is going to tell me this is a good installation? Careful, I said a "good" installation.

[Tom Raymond]

It's a radon mitigation fan, it's really only good for the electric utility.

I bet the exhaust pipe was there before the fan, so no.

[John Dirks Jr]

What issue do you think would be involved with this installation, other than aesthetics? The radon tube is sealed, as is the fan. The fan will not create any air turbulence so it will not interfere with the venting process. The vent can still vent.

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[Les]

Hey John,

usually I get it, but am missing this one!

[John Dirks Jr]

Hey John,

usually I get it, but am missing this one!

Maybe you've calmed to the full extent and are now recycling.

Condensation should not hurt the mitigation equipment since they are designed to withstand it.

The WH is a direct vent so it's pushed out by a fan. As long as there's not an obstruction, it will expel exhaust as it should.