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AN UPDATE ON SIDE YARD VENTING

P R E S E N T E D B Y:H O W A R D A N D E R S O N , B R U I N S P L U M B I N G

( E D M O N T O N , R E D D E E R )

D AV I D M A C T AV I S H , E M C O ( C A L G A R Y, L E T H B R I D G E )

Builder’s Technical Session

In Partnership with:

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Changes to Venting Requirements

What were the concerns?How did the STANDATA come to be?What does the new Standata say?How can installations avoid problemsCritical points for good installations

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The Issues that Prompted Change

Municipalities were

receiving complaints NoiseIntake of exhaust

gasesBuild-up of iciclesFrosting on fences

& houses

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Recognition at the Code Level

The B149 Gas Code current edition 2010 was revised and contains this new requirement:

• A vent shall not terminate where it may cause hazardous frost or ice accumulations on adjacent property surfaces

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The Goal of the Standata

Issued in September, by the Safety Codes Councils’ gas technical council (G-01-10)

Goals:To ensure the safe and effective venting of

gas heating appliancesAdd some parameters around the general

sentence in the B149 Gas code, to minimize the effect of the emissions of vents for furnaces, boilers and hot water heaters

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Specific Wording of the Standata

Key Items in the STANDATA:Vents Category III or IV appliancesRedirection of exhaust plumeThe effect of the vent with property

lines Less than 4 feet 4 feet to 8 feet Greater than 8 feet

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Standata Requirements

In side yards with a minimum unobstructed distance of 4 feet (1.2 metres) and up to 8 feet• There needs to be a means of re-directing the

vent with a certified fitting by:- a Tee or a 90 degree elbow- or a termination acceptable to the authority

having jurisdiction

• Must be installed according to manufacturers installation instructions

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Examples of Manufacturers Directions

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Avoiding Icicles and Severe Frosting

Condense vent gasses as much as possible inside the house

Slope to inside Use long enough runs for condensing to occur Provide proper support for the runs to encourage drainage Consider up-sizing the vent piping Consider the length of the vent exhaust pipe on the exterior Avoid concentrating all vents in one area; spacing between

vents Consider insulating the pipe Consider using after market condensers

ALWAYS Install according to manufacturers directions

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Placement of Vents, Climate and House Geometry

Ensure properseparation of vent

hoods Consider prevailing

winds in the side yard Don’t place vents near

bump–outs Consider future decks,

number of stories Consider separating

intakes and exhausts on different walls of the home

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Consider Venting Through the Roof

• Consider whether vent is on windward or leeward side of roof

• Vents are usually small enough to vent through wall cavities

• Mechanically support the vent at the top• Discharge out the leeward side• Glue joints must be done well

Right glue, right pipe, right gluing method See IPEX Manual

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Roof Venting - Rheem

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Avoiding Noise Issues

Placing too many appliances too close together

Sizing of the vent pipes

Stress on the vent

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Better Installs

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Better Installs

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Other Installations

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Coordinate HVAC and Plumbing Installs

Builders need to collaborate with their trades Locations of

mechanical rooms, decks

Locations on drawings Appliance placements Locations on site Coordination between

plumbing and HVAC installs

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Innovative Installs

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Issues Need to be Corrected

As a site supervisor, raising issues with the installing trade can resolve poor installation issues

Work with your code authoritiesProper de-ration for high altitude

appliances will help with the amount of condensation that occurs in the vent plume

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Set Consumer Expectations

At point of saleAt time of walk through

Temporary frosting to be expected Icicles need to be taken down Frost needs to be cleaned from intake screens Fine insect screens cannot be used Potential noise

Permanent piece in their turnover documents

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In Summary

Proper Installs are CRITICAL• Diversion according to AHJ and

manufacturers instructions• Coordination of trades• Maximize condensing to the interior• Watch placement on the exterior for:oProper separationoPrevailing windsoHouse configurations

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In Summary

•Designers and Site supervisors need to

play a roleInspections can help nip issues during construction •Educate homeowners on:

oExpectationsoMaintenance required

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Questions?