Water Heater coming out of the closet

[allseason]

Here is a unique situation regarding a water heater, natural gas supplied, natural draft with combustion air supplied via a duct from the large, vented attic. 1996 townhouse and this is the original water heater.

There is a closet in the bedroom, at the rear of this closet is a second closet in which the tank is located. This closet is not a dedicated enclosure as the entry door is not fire rated or self closing. I don't know the rating of the wallboard. It is definately a storage closet, not a utility area. How is it that this was approved by the AHJ, it likely exists in all of the other units (over 50 t-houses)? Opinions?

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[Darren]

Same way a townhouse development in Riverdale got CO's when the furnaces & water heaters in the garage closets were slightly elevates but not the required 18 inches.

Some inspectors don't know the codes.

[mlparham]

Here is a unique situation regarding a water heater, natural gas supplied, natural draft with combustion air supplied via a duct from the large, vented attic. 1996 townhouse and this is the original water heater.

There is a closet in the bedroom, at the rear of this closet is a second closet in which the tank is located. This closet is not a dedicated enclosure as the entry door is not fire rated or self closing. I don't know the rating of the wallboard. It is definately a storage closet, not a utility area. How is it that this was approved by the AHJ, it likely exists in all of the other units (over 50 t-houses)? Opinions?

Click to Enlarge

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Click to Enlarge

60.54 KB

The plastic drain pan under the cold water heater is not approved for a gas fired unit.

Most '96 era cold water heaters have a defective dip tube. What was the hot water temperature after running the dishwasher? Lukewarm I bet. Was the cold water heater thermostat set to "High"? Probably. Will it leak one or two weeks after the new owners move in? Probably.

[Hearthman]

Ditto plastic pan and where does it drain to or does it have a wet alarm?

No sediment trap on gas line

Where is this MUA duct? What is the BTU/hr input rating-40K?

Any pics of the vent connector attachment to the B-vent at the ceiling?

Are there any screws on those connector joints?

If residential, not aware of fire rating for the closet as opposed to the separation btw occupancies.