Air requirements, Unconfined space, Confined space – John Wood Commercial - 300-400K BTU User Manual

Page 17: Air requirements unconfined space confined space, Breathing hazard - carbon monoxide gas

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unusually tight construction
In unconfined spaces in buildings, infiltration may be adequate

to provide air for combustion, ventilation and dilution of flue

gases. However, in buildings of unusually tight construction (for

example, weather stripping, heavily insulated, caulked, vapor

barrier, etc.) additional air must be provided using the methods

described in the Confined Space section that follows.

confined space

A Confined Space is one whose volume IS lESS THAN 50 cubic

feet per 1,000 btu/hr (4.8 cm per kW) of the total input rating of

all appliances installed in the space.
Openings must be installed to provide fresh air for combustion,

ventilation and dilution in confined spaces. The required size for

the openings is dependent on the method used to provide fresh

air to the confined space AND the total btu/hr input rating of all

appliances installed in the space.
direct Vent appliances
Appliances installed in a Direct Vent configuration that derive all

air for combustion from the outdoor atmosphere through sealed

intake air piping are not factored in the total appliance input btu/

hr calculations used to determine the size of openings providing

fresh air into confined spaces.
exhaust fans
Where exhaust fans are installed, additional air shall be provided

to replace the exhausted air. When an exhaust fan is installed

in the same space with a water heater, sufficient openings to

provide fresh air must be provided that accommodate the

requirements for all appliances in the room and the exhaust fan.

undersized openings will cause air to be drawn into the room

through the water heater’s vent system causing poor combustion.

Sooting, serious damage to the water heater and the risk of fire

or explosion may result. It can also create a risk of asphyxiation.
louVers and grilles
The free areas of the fresh air openings in the instructions that

follow do not take in to account the presence of louvers, grilles or

screens in the openings.
The required size of openings for combustion, ventilation and

dilution air shall be based on the “net free area” of each opening.

Where the free area through a design of louver or grille or screen

is known, it shall be used in calculating the size of opening

required to provide the free area specified. Where the louver and

grille design and free area are not known, it shall be assumed

that wood louvers will have 25% free area and metal louvers and

grilles will have 75% free area. Non motorized louvers and grilles

shall be fixed in the open position.

air reQuirements

Breathing Hazard - Carbon Monoxide Gas

Install water heater in accordance with

the Instruction Manual and NFPA 54 or

CAN/CSA-B149.1.
To avoid injury, combustion and ventilation

air must be taken from outdoors.
Do not place chemical vapor emitting

products near water heater.

Breathing carbon monoxide can cause brain damage or

death. Always read and understand instruction manual.

For safe operation an adequate supply of fresh uncontaminated

air for combustion and ventilation must be provided.
An insufficient supply of air can cause recirculation of

combustion products resulting in contamination that may be

hazardous to life. Such a condition often will result in a yellow,

luminous burner flame, causing sooting of the combustion

chamber, burners and flue tubes and creates a risk of

asphyxiation.
Do not install the water heater in a confined space unless an

adequate supply of air for combustion and ventilation is brought

in to that space using the methods described in the Confined

Space section that follows.
Never obstruct the flow of ventilation air. If you have any doubts

or questions at all, call your gas supplier. Failure to provide the

proper amount of combustion air can result in a fire or explosion

and cause property damage, serious bodily injury or death.

unconfined space

An unconfined Space is one whose volume IS NoT lESS THAN

50 cubic feet per 1,000 btu/hr (4.8 cubic meters per kW) of the

total input rating of all appliances installed in the space. rooms

communicating directly with the space, in which the appliances

are installed, through openings not furnished with doors, are

considered a part of the unconfined space.
Makeup air requirements for the operation of exhaust fans,

kitchen ventilation systems, clothes dryers and fireplaces shall

also be considered in determining the adequacy of a space to

provide combustion, ventilation and dilution air.

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