condo venting issues - need advice please
#1
09-09-15, 09:20 AM
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condo venting issues - need advice please
Hi newbie poster here, thanks for this forum.
I have a question for those with more experience. I'm in a condo on the top floor and I have a side neighbor. Both our furnaces exhaust out the back, a four-foot roof section overhang (sticks out about a foot with a gutter). They're really close to each other (2-3 ft away) and our bedroom windows (3 ft down and maybe 3 ft. to the side). Here's my issue: The wind almost constantly blows a west to east direction there, creating a wind tunnel and always blowing the other and my exhaust past my windows – I’d say 90% of the time they are gusting past my condo.
Questions are these:
1) Do we get an amount of CO from these exhausts in our air intake?
2) Would we likely get some in windows from these exhaust locations? (Wife likes fresh air when she can).
→ these two previous questions are asking how far CO travels…
3) Is there a way to create a wind break, possibly by placing some barrier, plexi or something, vertically under that eave and down between the exhausts?
Thanks in advance as I'm really interested to hear what the forumites say here.
I have a question for those with more experience. I'm in a condo on the top floor and I have a side neighbor. Both our furnaces exhaust out the back, a four-foot roof section overhang (sticks out about a foot with a gutter). They're really close to each other (2-3 ft away) and our bedroom windows (3 ft down and maybe 3 ft. to the side). Here's my issue: The wind almost constantly blows a west to east direction there, creating a wind tunnel and always blowing the other and my exhaust past my windows – I’d say 90% of the time they are gusting past my condo.
Questions are these:
1) Do we get an amount of CO from these exhausts in our air intake?
2) Would we likely get some in windows from these exhaust locations? (Wife likes fresh air when she can).
→ these two previous questions are asking how far CO travels…
3) Is there a way to create a wind break, possibly by placing some barrier, plexi or something, vertically under that eave and down between the exhausts?
Thanks in advance as I'm really interested to hear what the forumites say here.
#2
09-09-15, 09:23 AM
Group Moderator
Welcome to the forums.
The forumites could help you better with a picture or two. http://www.doityourself.com/forum/el...-pictures.html
The forumites could help you better with a picture or two. http://www.doityourself.com/forum/el...-pictures.html
#3
09-09-15, 10:34 AM
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you for your response and help - here are a couple a pics of the area.
Whole wall here, mine on left:
close up...
Whole wall here, mine on left:
close up...
#4
09-09-15, 10:40 AM
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Now that I look back at the pictures I posted I can see my measurements were a little off. Plus, below those 45 degree exhaust pipes run only about a foot or foot and a half to the dining room set of windows! You can really see the clouds of smoke roll by there in the winter months. Does that even look legal to you all?
#6
09-09-15, 10:12 PM
Group Moderator
The "smoke" you see rolling by is condensation..... moisture in the air. That's not a problem. Very little CO is dispersed in the air.
I don't know the exact distance the exhaust lines need to be away from an opening window but I don't think you have any issues there from what I've been reading.
https://law.resource.org/pub/us/code...pa.54.2006.pdf
* Vent terminal must be at least 1 foot from any door, window, or gravity inlet into the building.
* The vent and air intake terminals must be at the same height and their center lines must be between 12 and 36 inches apart. Both terminals must be on the same wall.
* Do not install directly above windows or doors.
* Top of vent terminal must be at least 5 feet below eves, soffits, or overhangs. Maximum depth of overhang is 3 feet.
* Be aware that condensate may freeze and cause damage to structures nearby.
* Install vent termination away from prevailing winds in excess of 40.
Others will stop by and add to this.
I don't know the exact distance the exhaust lines need to be away from an opening window but I don't think you have any issues there from what I've been reading.
https://law.resource.org/pub/us/code...pa.54.2006.pdf
* Vent terminal must be at least 1 foot from any door, window, or gravity inlet into the building.
* The vent and air intake terminals must be at the same height and their center lines must be between 12 and 36 inches apart. Both terminals must be on the same wall.
* Do not install directly above windows or doors.
* Top of vent terminal must be at least 5 feet below eves, soffits, or overhangs. Maximum depth of overhang is 3 feet.
* Be aware that condensate may freeze and cause damage to structures nearby.
* Install vent termination away from prevailing winds in excess of 40.
Others will stop by and add to this.
#7
09-10-15, 12:46 PM
Banned. Rule And/Or Policy Violation
Generally speaking, exhaust from dryers or condensing gas furnaces (which use PVC pipe) are not a hazard.
If you take off the panel covering your furnace burner, you can find the make and model of the furnace. Google the make and model and you can probably find the installation manual for the furnace, which would have the required clearance to many kinds of obstructions.
A poorly adjusted furnace can produce large amounts of carbon monoxide. If that is allowed to blow up against a building, the CO can infiltrate the building wall and be a hazard.
If you see any signs of black soot in those PVC pipes, they should definitely be inspected. Black soot = large amounts of carbon monoxide = a hazard.
Also, if you notice odd odors from an exhaust vent, that can indicate a problem too.
If you take off the panel covering your furnace burner, you can find the make and model of the furnace. Google the make and model and you can probably find the installation manual for the furnace, which would have the required clearance to many kinds of obstructions.
A poorly adjusted furnace can produce large amounts of carbon monoxide. If that is allowed to blow up against a building, the CO can infiltrate the building wall and be a hazard.
If you see any signs of black soot in those PVC pipes, they should definitely be inspected. Black soot = large amounts of carbon monoxide = a hazard.
Also, if you notice odd odors from an exhaust vent, that can indicate a problem too.
#8
09-10-15, 01:02 PM
Member
I am almost certain that would not pass codes in Canada. I would get it checked out. Ask your local building inspector about it.
