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In the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires compliance with
regulation 248 CMR 4.00 and 5.00 for installation of through-
the-wall vented gas appliances as follows:
5.08: Modifications to NFPA–54, Chapter 10
(1) Revise NFPA–54 section 10.5.4.2 by adding a second
exception as follows:
Existing chimneys shall be permitted to have their use
continued when a gas conversion burner is installed, and shall
be equipped with a manual reset device that will automatically
shut off the gas to the burner in the event of a sustained back-
draft.
(2) Revise 10.8.3 by adding the following additional
requirements:
(a) For all side-wall, horizontally vented, gas-fueled equipment
installed in every dwelling, building, or structure used in
whole or part for residential purposes, including those owned
or operated by the Commonwealth and where the side-wall
exhaust vent termination is less than seven (7) feet above
finished grade in the area of the venting, including but not
limited to decks and porches, the following requirements shall
be satisfied.
1. INSTALLATION OF CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS. At
the time of installation of the side-wall, horizontally vented,
gas-fueled equipment, the installing plumber or gasfitter shall
observe that a hard-wired carbon monoxide detector with an
alarm and battery backup is installed on the floor level where
the gas equipment is to be installed. In addition, the installing
plumber or gasfitter shall observe that a battery-operated or
hard-wired carbon monoxide detector with an alarm is installed
on each additional level of the dwelling, building, or structure
served by the side-wall, horizontally vented, gas-fueled
equipment. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner
to secure the services of qualified licensed professionals for the
installation of hard-wired carbon monoxide detectors.
a. In the event that the side-wall, horizontally vented, gas-fueled
equipment is installed in a crawl space or an attic, the hard-
wired carbon monoxide detector with alarm and battery backup
may be installed on the next adjacent floor level.
b. In the event that the requirements of this subdivision cannot
be met at the time of completion of installation, the owner shall
have a period of thirty (30) days to comply with the above
requirements, provided, however, that during said thirty (30)
day period, a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector with
an alarm shall be installed.
2. APPROVED CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS. Each carbon
monoxide detector as required in accordance with the above
provisions shall comply with NFPA 720 and be ANSI/UL
2034-listed and IAS-certified.
3. SIGNAGE. A metal or plastic identification plate shall be
permanently mounted to the exterior of the building at a
minimum height of eight (8) feet above grade directly in line
with the exhaust vent terminal for the horizontally vented, gas-
fueled heating appliance or equipment. The sign shall read, in
print size no less than one-half (1/2) inch in size, “GAS VENT
DIRECTLY BELOW. KEEP CLEAR OF ALL OBSTRUCTIONS.”
4. INSPECTION. The state or local gas inspector of the side-
wall, horizontally vented, gas-fueled equipment shall not
approve the installation unless, upon inspection, the inspector
observes carbon monoxide detectors and signage installed
in accordance with the provisions of 248 CMR 5.08 (2)(a)(1
through 4).
(b) EXEMPTIONS: The following equipment is exempt from 248
CMR 5.08 (2)(a)(1 through 4):
1. The equipment listed in Chapter 10 entitled “Equipment Not
Required To Be Vented” in the most current edition of NFPA 54
as adopted by the Board, and
2. Product-approved side-wall, horizontally vented, gas-fueled
equipment installed in a room or structure separate from the
dwelling, building, or structure used in whole or in part for
residential purposes.
(c) MANUFACTURER REQUIREMENTS – GAS EQUIPMENT
VENTING SYSTEM PROVIDED. When the manufacturer of
product-approved side-wall, horizontally vented, gas-fueled
equipment provides a venting system design or venting system
components with the equipment, the instructions provided
by the manufacturer for installation of the equipment and the
venting system shall include:
1. Detailed instructions for the installation of the venting system
design or the venting system components; and
2. A complete parts list for the venting system design or venting
system.
(d) MANUFACTURER REQUIREMENTS – GAS EQUIPMENT
VENTING SYSTEM NOT PROVIDED. When the manufacturer
of product-approved side-wall, horizontally vented, gas-fueled
equipment does not provide the parts for venting the flue
gases, but identifies “special venting systems,” the following
requirements shall be satisfied by the manufacturer:
1. The referenced “special venting systems” instructions
shall be included with the appliance or equipment installation
instructions, and
2. The “special venting systems” shall be product-approved by
the Board, and the instructions for that system shall include a
parts list and detailed installation instructions.
(e) A copy of all installation instructions for all product-
approved side-wall, horizontally vented, gas-fueled equipment,
all venting instructions, all parts lists for venting instructions,
and/or all venting design instructions shall remain with the
appliance or equipment at the completion of the installation.
Venting
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
