Can you please help me interpret the clearance requirement of an AL29-4C single-wall vent pipe, manufactured by Pro Tech Info?
What is the correct clearance for this exhaust pipe on a Takagi tankless water heater model TK-510U-I 200?
100269776.pdf (10.4 MB)
Is the proper clearance from combustibles 1" or 3"?
Is the correct rated operating temperature going to be 300 degrees or 480 degrees?
Am I correct that the PVC air intake pipe is too close to the single-wall exhaust pipe?
The manual info is relevant to the subject tankless water heater.
It’s a 510U for indoor use. What are you saying?
The manual that I shared was the manual that the manufacturer provided for this unit.
Yeah, I would call it out.
I think I would too. The manufacture says PVC is fine for the intake, but I think best practice would be to maintain the same distance the manufacturer put between the intake and exhaust ports.
Thanks once again for the feedback, Brian.
Morning, Adam. Hope to find you well.
Not enough information to help.
Generally speaking, of course, and if I am reading you posts intention correctly, clearance for a single wall gas fired exhaust flue, it is material/temperature specific. As well, was there any wall or ceiling thimbles at the intersection in questions?
Other than that, and if memory serves me well, Lol, depends on the day, we learned this in the HVAC course. Gas fired Single wall exhaust flue pipe clearance is “a minimum of 6” inches" from 'combustible materials.
After gleaning the model number you provided, the AL29-4C single-wall flue/vent pipe, when used as a gas exhaust flue/vent, a minimum of 6" inches in clearance is required to/from combustible materials.
There was a wall thimble, but that’s not the question.
Of relevance, I posted a picture of a tag on the vent pipe in question with two possible clearance distances. It’s either 1" or 3" depending on the rated operating temperature.
You are welcome to scroll up to read it in the picture above.
I figured the clearance requirement would have been 6", as well.
However, whatever the manufacturer says is the clearance is what I acknowledge.
Afternoon, Adam.
Sorry for the misunderstanding. That is why I posted, not enough information above.
Is the fresh air intake vent high temperature rated? Any Manufacturer’s name or trademark?
I have been over the images several times. I could not see how you got the image 5th down from the top when I see the image below. Are they the same image?
Someone said the OP did not query any other condition.
I beg to differ…
Is the proper clearance from combustibles 1" or 3"?
Is the correct rated operating temperature going to be 300 degrees or 480 degrees?
Am I correct that the PVC air intake pipe is too close to the single-wall exhaust pipe?
They are different images of the same components. Brian was correct with the arrow that he drew on the images.
However, it is still uncertain to me what the exact clearance requirement is between the single-wall stainless steel exhaust pipe and combustible materials such as the PVC.
All I know is that the clearance between the exhaust and the intake is inadequate right above the tankless water heater.
Thank you, Adam.
I think the angle and closeness of the image in question, the fresh-air intake and exhaust pipe, distorts the true clearance of the exhaust and intake pipes reality.
Just my opinion.
Note: The angle at which a camera captures an image can definitely cause distortion. This is primarily due to perspective distortion.
The clearance between the exhaust and the PVC intake pipe is less than one inch.
If you feel that way report it, Adam. No worries. Better be safe than sorry. I concur.
The image you proved looks much closer than one inch.
But the image is plainly distorted. The round fitting looks lumpy and angled. Clear indication the camera was too close and the angle was misrepresented.
Right. It should be 6 inches, which is not possible if you use PVC. But PVC is approved by the water heater manufacturer.
From the mfg.
Why would it be 6 inches if the label on the side says 1-3" of clearance?
Are you saying that PVC is approved by the water heater manufacturer because Takagi said that it must be vented in accordance with the National Fuel Gas Code: ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54?
I did not see PVC mentioned in the screenshot.
PVC for intake combustion air. Sorry if I did not make this clear.
What label are you speaking of? Are we looking at two different sections of flue pipe with differing labels? Does the water heater vent collar have a separate label?
Here is the Gas Code 2018 from GA. It may be amended from the national code, I am not sure. But 6" is the rule. The mfg. and code keep pointing at each other. Then, the mfg. offers an approved materials list.
In these cases, I would note clearance concerns and elevate to a specialist.
No worries. We all make mistakes from time to time. I think the idea here is to debate as professional’s which we all are.
I read, Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC) is generally preferred over standard PVC to which is likely being used but without manufacturing tags/labels is hard to determine but we are still left with clearance.
You said:
and then right after that you posted a screenshot, so I thought that maybe somewhere you had read that PVC was approved by the mfg. I haven’t seen that in writing yet.
Done. Thanks for the feedback.
