By Barry Stone
Dear Barry,
My home inspector reported a problem with a gas water heater, but the seller's plumber disagrees with the inspector. The water heater is installed in a utility closet, directly in front of the forced air furnace. The inspector says the workspace in front of the furnace is restricted, but the plumber says this violates no provision of the plumbing code. If this condition is a problem, I'd like to have it repaired. How do we determine whose evaluation is correct?
- Sherry
Dear Sherry,
Everyone is correct, but the home inspector is more correct. The plumber is correct when stating the water heater placement violates no provision of the plumbing code. However, the problem involves a violation of the mechanical code, governing the installation of the forced air furnace, not the water heater. A minimum workspace of 30 inches is required in front of the furnace. If the water heater is installed within that specified workspace, then it will need to be moved to enable contractors and other persons to adequately service the equipment. Moving the fixture will entail modification and adjustment of the water and fuel connections, as well as the exhaust flue.
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