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CAUTION
Insufficient combustion air can cause headaches,
nausea, dizziness or asphyxiation. It will also cause
excess water in the heat exchanger resulting in rust
ing and premature heat exchanger failure. Excessive
exposure to contaminated combustion air will result
in safety and performance related problems. Avoid
exposure to the following substances in the com
bustion air supply:
Permanent wave solutions
Chlorinated waxes and cleaners
Chlorine base swimming pool chemicals
Water softening chemicals
De‐icing salts or chemicals
Carbon tetrachloride
Halogen type refrigerants
Cleaning solvents (such as perchloroethylene)
Printing inks, paint removers, varnishes, etc.
Hydrochloric acid
Cements and glues
Antistatic fabric softeners for clothes dryers
Masonry acid washing materials
All gas‐fired appliances require air for the combustion pro
cess. If sufficient combustion air is not available, the fur
nace or other appliances will operate inefficiently and un
safely. Enough air must be provided to meet the needs of
all fuel‐burning appliances and appliances such as ex
haust fans which force air out of the house. When fire
places, exhaust fans, or clothes dryers are used at the
same time as the furnace, much more air is necessary to
ensure proper combustion and to prevent a downdraft. In
sufficient air causes incomplete combustion which can re
sult in carbon monoxide.
In addition to providing combustion air, fresh outdoor air di
lutes contaminants in the indoor air. These contaminants
may include bleaches, adhesives, detergents, solvents
and other contaminants which can corrode furnace compo
nents.
The requirements for providing air for combustion and ven
tilation depend largely on whether the furnace is installed in
an unconfined or a confined space.
Unconfined Space
An unconfined space is an area such as a basement or
large equipment room with a volume greater than 1.42 m
3
(50 cubic feet) per .29 kW (1,000 Btu) per hour of the com
bined input rating of all appliances installed in that space.
This space also includes adjacent rooms which are not
separated by a door. Though an area may appear to be un
confined, it might be necessary to bring in outdoor air for
combustion if the structure does not provide enough air by
infiltration. If the furnace is located in a building of tight
construction with weather stripping and caulking around
the windows and doors, follow the procedures in the air
from outside section.
Confined Space
A confined space is an area with a volume less than 1.42
m
3
(50 cubic feet) per .29 kW (1,000 Btu) per hour of the
combined input rating of all appliances installed in that
space. This definition includes furnace closets or small
equipment rooms.
When the furnace is installed so that supply ducts carry air
circulated by the furnace to areas outside the space con
taining 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 ei
ther from inside the building or from outside.
EQUIPMENT IN CONFINED
SPACE ALL AIR FROM INSIDE
CHIMNEY
OR GAS
VENT
FURNACE
WATER
HEATER
OPENINGS
(To Adjacent
Room)
NOTE - Each opening shall have a free area of at least 645 mm
2 (
one
square inch) per .29 kW (1,000 Btu) per hour of the total input rating
of all equipment in the enclosure, but not less than 64516 mm
2
1(00
square inches).
FIGURE 1
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
645 mm
2
(1 square inch) per .29 kW (1,000 Btu) per hour of
total input rating of all gas-fired equipment in the confined
space. Each opening must be at least 64516 mm
2
(100
square inches). One opening shall be within 305 mm (12
inches) of the top of the enclosure and one opening within
305 mm (12 inches) of the bottom. See figure 1.
Air from Outside
If air from outside is brought in for combustion and ventila
tion, the confined space must have two permanent open
ings. One opening shall be within 305 mm (12 inches) of the
