507962-01G / 31-5000654
Page 8 of 51
Issue 2149
containing the furnace, the return air must be handled by
ducts which are sealed to the furnace casing and which
terminate outside the space containing the furnace. This
is especially important when the furnace is mounted on
a platform in a confined space such as a closet or small
equipment room. Even a small leak around the base of the
unit at the platform or at the return air duct connection can
cause a potentially dangerous negative pressure condition.
Air for combustion and ventilation can be brought into the
confined space either from inside the building or from
outside.
Air from Inside
If the confined space that houses the furnace adjoins a
space categorized as unconfined, air can be brought in
by providing two permanent openings between the two
spaces. Each opening must have a minimum free area of 1
square inch (645 mm²) per 1,000 Btu (.29 kW) per hour of
total input rating of all gas-fired equipment in the confined
space. Each opening must be at least 100 square inches
(64516 mm²). One opening shall be within 12 inches (305
mm) of the top of the enclosure and one opening within 12
inches (305 mm) of the bottom. See Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Equipment in Confined Space - All Air from
Inside
Air from Outside
If air from outside is brought in for combustion and
ventilation, the confined space shall be provided with two
permanent openings. One opening shall be within 12” (305
mm) of the top of the enclosure and one within 12” (305 mm)
of the bottom. These openings must communicate directly
or by ducts with the outdoors or spaces (crawl or attic) that
freely communicate with the outdoors or indirectly through
vertical ducts. Each opening shall have a minimum free
area of 1 square inch per 4,000 Btu (645 mm² per .59 kW)
per hour of the total input rating of all equipment in the
enclosure (see Figure 6 and Figure 7).
It is also permissible to bring air for combustion from a
ventilated attic (Figure 9) or ventilated crawl space (Figure
Figure 6.
Equipment in Confined Space - All Air from
Outside
(Inlet Air from Crawl Space and Outlet Air to
Ventilated Attic)
When communicating with the outdoors through horizontal
ducts, each opening shall have a minimum free area of 1
square inch (645 mm²) per 2,000 Btu (.56 kW) per hour of
the total input rating of all equipment in the enclosure. See
When ducts are used, they shall 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 shall be no less than 3 inches (75 mm). In
calculating free area, the blocking effect of louvers, grilles,
or screens must be considered. If the design and free area
of protective covering is not known for calculating the size
opening required, it may be assumed that wood louvers
will have 20 to 25 percent free area and metal louvers and
grilles will have 60 to 75 percent free area. Louvers and
grilles must be fixed in the open position or interlocked
with the equipment so that they are opened automatically
during equipment operation.
