14
5 - VENTILATION & COMBUSTION AIR
Provide combustion air and ventilation air in accordance
with the section “Air for Combustion and Ventilation,” of the
National Fuel Gas Code, ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54, or Sections
8.2, 8.3 or 8.4 of Natural Gas and Propane Installation
Code, CAN/CSA B149.1, or applicable provisions of local
building codes.
Provide make-up air where exhaust fans, clothes dryers,
and kitchen ventilation equipment interfere with proper
operation.
National Fuel Gas Code recognizes several methods
of obtaining adequate ventilation and combustion air.
Requirements of the authority having jurisdiction may
override these methods.
• Engineered Installations. Must be approved by
authority having jurisdiction.
• Mechanical Air Supply. Provide minimum of 0.35
cfm per Mbh for all appliances located within space.
Additional requirements where exhaust fans installed.
Interlock each appliance to mechanical air supply
system to prevent main burner operation when
mechanical air supply system not operating.
• All Indoor Air. Calculate minimum allowable room
volume for all appliances in space. Use a different
method if minimum volume not available.
A. Standard Method. Cannot be used if known air
infiltration rate is less than 0.40 air changes per
hour. See Table 4 for space with boiler only. Use
equation for multiple appliances.
Volume ≥ 50 ft
3
x Total Input [Mbh]
B.
Known Air Infiltration Rate. See Table 4 for
space with boiler only. Use equation for multiple
appliances. Do not use an air infiltration rate
(ACH) greater than 0.60.
Volume ≥
21 ft
3
⁄ACH x Total Input [Mbh]
C. Refer to National Fuel Gas Code for opening
requirements between connected indoor spaces.
• All Outdoor Air. Provide permanent opening(s)
communicating directly or by ducts with outdoors.
A. Two Permanent Opening Method. Provide opening
commencing within 12 inches of top and second
opening commencing within 12 inches of bottom of
enclosure.
Direct communication with outdoors or
communicating through vertical ducts. Provide
minimum free area of 1 in² per 4 Mbh of total
input rating of all appliances in enclosure.
Communicating through horizontal ducts.
Provide minimum free area of 1 in² per 2
Mbh of total input rating of all appliances in
enclosure.
B. One Permanent Opening Method. Provide opening
commencing within 12 inches of top of enclosure.
Provide minimum clearance of 1 inch on sides/back
and 6 inches on front of boiler (does not supersede
clearance to combustible materials).
• Refer to National Fuel Gas Code for additional
requirements for louvers, grilles, screens and air
ducts.
• Combination Indoor and Outdoor Air. Refer to National
Fuel Gas Code for application information.
Canada
National Gas and Propane Installation Code Requires
providing air supply in accordance with:
• Section 8.2 and 8.3 when combination of appliances
has a total input of up to and including 400 Mbh (120
kW).
• Section 8.4 when combination of appliances has total
input exceeding 400 Mbh (120 kW).
• Refer to Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code
for specific air supply requirements for enclosure
or structure where boiler is installed, including air
supply openings and ducts.
PN 240013087 Rev. A [09/30/2020]
Table 4 - Minimum Room Volume, Indoor Air Only*
Room Cubic Feet Volume
Input Mbh
Standard
Method
Known Air Infiltration Rate Method (Air Changes Per Hour)
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
262.5
13125
55125
27563
18375
13781
11025
9188
299
14950
62790
31395
20930
15698
12558
10465
* Table values based on boiler only. Add volume for any additional appliances.
