Bradford White D-4-504S6FSX User Manual
Page 13
 
13
Combustion Air Supply continued-
Confined Spaces 
Confined spaces are spaces defined as having less than 50 ft
3
of space per
1,000 BTU (1.41 m
3
/.29 kw) per hour of input.
Unconfined Spaces 
In unconfined spaces in buildings, infiltration may be adequate to provide air 
for combustion, ventilation, and dilution of flue gases. However, in buildings 
of tight construction (for example, weather stripping, heavily insulated, 
caulked, vapor barrier, etc.), additional air may need to be provided using the 
methods described below. 
 
All Air from Inside the Building: The confined space must be provided with 
two permanent openings communicating directly with an additional room(s) of 
sufficient volume, so that the combined volume of all spaces meets the criteria 
for an unconfined space. The total input of all gas utilization equipment 
installed in the combined space must be considered in making this 
determination. Each opening must have a minimum free area of 1 square 
inch per 1,000 BTU (6.45 cm
2
/.29 kw) per hour of the total input rating of all
gas utilization equipment in the confined space, but not less than 100 square 
inches (645 cm
2
). One opening must be within 12 in. (31 cm) of the top and
one within 12 in. (31 cm) of the bottom of the enclosure. 
 
All Air from Outdoors: The confined space must be provided with two 
permanent openings, one commencing within 12 in. (31 cm) of the top and 
one commencing within 12 in. (31 cm) from the bottom of the enclosure. The 
openings must communicate directly, or by ducts, with the outdoors or spaces 
(crawl or attic) that freely communicate with the outdoors. 
1. When directly communicating with the outdoors, each opening must have 
a minimum free area of 1 square inch per 4,000 BTU (6.45 cm
2
/1.2 kw)
per hour of total input rating of all equipment in the enclosure.
2. When communicating with the outdoors through vertical ducts, each
opening must have a minimum free area of 1 square inch per 4,000 BTU 
(6.45 cm
2
/1.2 kw) per hour of total input rating of all equipment in the
enclosure.
3. When communicating with the outdoors through horizontal ducts, each
opening must have a minimum free area of 1 square inch per 2,000 BTU 
(6.45 cm
2
/.6 kw) per hour of total input rating of all equipment in the
enclosure.
4. When ducts are used, they must be of the same cross-sectional area as
the free area of the openings to which they connect. The minimum 
dimension of rectangular air ducts must be not less than 3 in. (7.5 cm). 
Specially Engineered Installations 
The requirements noted under CONFINED SPACES above shall not 
necessarily govern when special engineering, approved by the authority 
having jurisdiction, provides an adequate supply of air for combustion, 
ventilation, and dilution of flue gases.