Water Heater Ignition Source

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21

Originally Posted By: jpeck
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


dbowers wrote:
We waste a lot of time on some of these issues. We are in the opinion business.

So I write those OPINIONS down and move on.


And some of us like discussing these things.

Any problems with that?

Do we have your permission to discuss them?

Oh, right, we don't need your permission to discuss what we want to discuss.

--
Jerry Peck
South Florida
22

Originally Posted By: roconnor
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


bbadger wrote:
My point is that the outlet and the vacuum are both allowed and are common. If you must raise the electric water heater to get out of the "zone" then logic would say these other items would have to get out of that same zone. ![icon_wink.gif](upload://ssT9V5t45yjlgXqiFRXL04eXtqw.gif)

That is the logic that some AHJ's use to require outlets at least 18" above a residential garage floor using general intent provisions, but I think the logic is flawed.

I don't think we are talking about explosions, but fires starting. I understand investigations have shown that appliances (oil, gas, and electric) have been the cause of fires starting in garages, and so restrictions were added to the model codes. Apparently outlets do not pose the same risk ... perhaps because people are generally using them at the time, and can see if something ignites.

--
Robert O'Connor, PE
Eagle Engineering ?
Eagle Eye Inspections ?
NACHI Education Committee

I am absolutely amazed sometimes by how much thought goes into doing things wrong
23

Originally Posted By: jpeck
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


These are the receptacles I commonly see down low (but above 18", about even with the burners).



[ Image: water heater hot water recirculating pump ]

--
Jerry Peck
South Florida

24

Originally Posted By: jsavino
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Question:


My 40 gallon water heater is located in my garage.


It measures 53" from the floor to the top of the tank, the hot water control (ignition source) measures 25" from the floor. Would you write it up, even if it exceeds the 18" rule?

–
John Savino


HomeWorks Inspection Services, LLC


St. James, NY


631.379.4241

25

Originally Posted By: wcampbell
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


no

–
This Ole House-Home Inspections


William A. Campbell TREC # 6372


Serving the Texas Coastal Bend


(361) 727-0602 (home)


(361) 727-0055 (office)


(361) 229-4103 (cell)

26

Originally Posted By: jpope
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


18" is a minimum dimension.

–
Jeff Pope


JPI Home Inspection Service


“At JPI, we’ll help you look better”


(661) 212-0738

27

Originally Posted By: roconnor
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


jsavino wrote:
... the hot water control (ignition source) measures 25" from the floor. Would you write it up, even if it exceeds the 18" rule?

Since the 18" rule is a minimum ... that WH exceeds the minimum requirement, and therefore meets the model code provisions ... as a guide ... ![icon_wink.gif](upload://ssT9V5t45yjlgXqiFRXL04eXtqw.gif) .

P.S. A "receptacle" is also not an "appliance", which is what that 18" rule applies to.

--
Robert O'Connor, PE
Eagle Engineering ?
Eagle Eye Inspections ?
NACHI Education Committee

I am absolutely amazed sometimes by how much thought goes into doing things wrong
28

Originally Posted By: jpeck
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


jsavino wrote:
Question:
My 40 gallon water heater is located in my garage.
It measures 53" from the floor to the top of the tank, the hot water control (ignition source) measures 25" from the floor. Would you write it up, even if it exceeds the 18" rule?


25" from the floor to the bottom element? That is strange. That places the element at about the halfway point in the tank, and I've never seen that before.

When you said "the hot water control" do you mean a temperature adjustment control? Or the element? I've seen a couple of electric water heaters which had a temperature control knob (lower thermostat setting) sticking through to the outside of the tank - I think they were Sears tanks. However, the element will be below that, where the bottom cover is.

--
Jerry Peck
South Florida
29

Originally Posted By: jsavino
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


www.peerlessboilers.com


Indirect water heaters

–
John Savino


HomeWorks Inspection Services, LLC


St. James, NY


631.379.4241

30

Originally Posted By: jpeck
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


You mean the indirect-fired ones they show?


If so, then the your 'partner' boiler is up higher, right?

If that is the case, no problem.

--
Jerry Peck
South Florida