Called out a dryer exhaust coming out of a crawlspace vent and it did not have 12" clearance below it. Seller is asking for specific code, which we don’t quote, so looking for a little help from y’all.
I included this diagram from InterNACHI gallery, but after reading through my 2021 IRC code book I’m not finding anything specific to clearances in Chapter 15. Is there another section I should be looking in?
How did you call it out?
When I recommended the vent be repositioned to prevent failure/plugging by snow, I never got pushback.
P.S. Also, you may want to check the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
Begin with… What year was the home built, as that is the Code cycle that applies to this home.
Home was built in 2022, I just called out that there was not adequate clearance of 12" below the dryer exhaust. Seller had an HVAC company come out and tell them, “We see it done like this all the time…”
This home is in Benton County, WA. and as a builder I have had other jurisdictions call it out. Silly me didn’t ask for the code they were referencing at the time.
All I can find now is the IRC deferring it to they dryer manufacturer specifications. M1502.3
No need to produce a code that you didn’t reference or rely on.
There’s a potential aid. ^^^^^
But if you simply made a recommendation and gave a reason, that can stand on its own.
I’ve seen it on manufacturer’s installation instructions.
What are you posting a screenshot/picture of?
This came up with google search for “dryer exhaust clearance to ground”
Also, is this a gas fueled or electric dryer? Most likely different venting applications should be considered.
Electric dryer.
Sorry, I’m not seeing it in either the regular IRC or the IMC as of right now. The 12 inches has to come from the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Funny thing though, my state’s amended IRC and IMC both have the 12 inch clearance requirement even though we barely get any snow around here, but too bad it’s not washington state.
An things like that just say that they should consider repositioning it so it wouldn’t get blocked by snow or whatever. Oh and BTW the termination clearances picture that was posted is referring to the exhaust flu vents of gas fired appliances, so it wouldn’t apply to an electric dryer exhaust vent for example.
Personally I would stay away from quoting code requirements.
As a home inspector, I would call it out as a potential safety and fire hazard if the flow were to get blocked by snow.
Thank you Derek.
Derek … As a licensed GC and home builder and code certified I usually say something like:
I observed the dryer vent had very little clearance to the ground. In case of heavy snow or debris the vent could be easily obstructed. I typically see at least 12" of clearance and recommend that the vent be modified to provide more adequate clearance.
I’ve never had a butt wipe give me pushback on this BUT if I did my response would be along the lines of … “I’m not doing a code inspection JUST a common sense inspection SO why don’t YOU provide evidence the height is adequate in a heavy snow or with stron blowing leafs”
So, did you include the potential consequence? Not that we are to predict future conditions, but in this case, it would have added context, and code would not have mattered.
Larry makes this case here.
For us here in GA, wet leaves, ground cover etc. is the culprit versus snow.
The position of the dryer duct exterior vent provides a point of entry for rodents (rats, mice, snakes).
