N.Y.C. Admin. Code § MC 804: Section MC 804: Direct-Vent, Integral Vent and Mechanical Draft Systems

804.1 Direct-vent terminations.

Vent terminals for direct-vent appliances shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. In addition, direct vent terminations shall comply with the following requirements:

1. Where located adjacent to walkways, the termination shall be not less than 7 feet (2133.6 mm) above the level of the walkway.

2. Vents shall terminate at least 3 feet (914.4 mm) above any forced air inlet, other than the forced air inlet for the subject direct vent appliance, located within 10 feet (3048 mm).

3. The vent system shall terminate at least 4 feet (1219.2 mm) below, 4 feet (1219.2 mm) horizontally from or 1 foot (304.8 mm) above any door, window or gravity air inlet into the building.

4. The vent termination point shall not be located closer than 3 feet (914.4 mm) to an interior corner formed by two walls perpendicular to each other.

5. The vent termination shall not be mounted directly above or within 3 feet (914.4 mm) horizontally from any gas or electric metering, regulating, venting relief equipment or other building opening.

6. The bottom of the vent termination shall be located at least 36 inches (914.4 mm) above finished grade.

7. The maximum heat input of an appliance served by single horizontal vent termination shall be 350,000 Btu/h (102.6 kW), unless otherwise approved by the commissioner.

8. The maximum heat input of all appliances served by horizontal vent terminations located within a 10 foot (3048 mm) radius shall be 350,000 Btu/h (102.6 kW), unless otherwise approved by the commissioner.

9. The vent termination shall be located a minimum of 4 feet (1219.2 mm) from the lot line or from adjacent buildings. The termination shall be installed in accordance with the vent manufacturer's instructions.

804.2 Appliances with integral vents.

Appliances incorporating integral venting means shall be installed in accordance with their listings and the manufacturer's instructions. In addition, integral vent terminals shall comply with the following requirements:

1. Where located adjacent to walkways, the vent terminal shall be not less than 7 feet (2133.6 mm) above the level of the walkway.

2. The vent terminal shall be at least 3 feet (914.4 mm) above any forced air inlet, other than the forced air inlet for the subject integral vent appliance, located within 10 feet (3048 mm).

3. The vent terminal shall be at least 4 feet (1219.2 mm) below, 4 feet (1219.2 mm) horizontally from or 1 foot (304.8 mm) above any door, window or gravity air inlet into the building.

4. The vent terminal shall not be located closer than 3 feet (914.4 mm) to an interior corner formed by two walls perpendicular to each other.

5. The vent terminal shall not be mounted directly above or within 3 feet (914.4 mm) horizontally from any gas or electric metering, regulating, venting relief equipment or other building opening.

6. The bottom of the vent terminal shall be located at least 36 inches (914.4 mm) above finished grade.

7. The maximum heat input of an appliance served by single horizontal vent terminal shall be 350,000 Btu/h (102.6 kW), unless otherwise approved by the commissioner.

8. The maximum heat input of all appliances served by horizontal vent terminals located within a 10 foot (3048 mm) radius shall be 350,000 Btu/h (102.6 kW), unless otherwise approved by the commissioner.

9. The vent terminal shall be located a minimum of 4 feet (1219.2 mm) from the lot line or from adjacent buildings. The termination shall be installed in accordance with the vent manufacturer's instructions.

804.2.1 Reserved.

804.3 Mechanical draft systems.

Mechanical draft systems of either forced or induced draft design shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 378 and shall comply with Sections 804.3.1 through 804.3.8.

804.3.1 Forced draft systems.

Forced draft systems and all portions of induced draft systems under positive pressure during operation shall be designed and installed so as to be gas tight to prevent leakage of combustion products into a building.

804.3.2 Automatic shutoff.

Power exhausters serving automatically fired appliances shall be electrically connected to each appliance to prevent operation of the appliance when the power exhauster is not in operation.

804.3.3 Termination.

The termination of chimneys or vents equipped with power exhausters shall be located not less than 10 feet (3048 mm) from the lot line or from adjacent buildings, unless otherwise approved by the commissioner. The exhaust shall be directed vertically away from the building.

804.3.4 Horizontal terminations.

Horizontal terminations and discharges, including any horizontal direct vent terminations subject to Section 804.1 and horizontal integral vent terminals subject to Section 804.2, shall not be permitted, unless otherwise authorized by the commissioner.

804.3.5 Vertical terminations.

Vertical terminations and discharges shall comply with Section 801.21.

804.3.6 Exhauster connections.

An appliance vented by natural draft shall not be connected into a vent, chimney or vent connector on the discharge side of a mechanical flue or power exhauster.

804.3.7 Exhauster sizing.

Mechanical flue or power exhausters and the chimney or vent system served shall be sized and installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

804.3.8 Mechanical draft systems for manually fired appliances and fireplaces.

A mechanical draft system shall be permitted to be used with manually fired appliances and fireplaces where such system complies with all of the following requirements:

1. The mechanical draft device shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 378, and shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

2. A device shall be installed in the room with the appliance or fireplace that produces visible and audible warning upon failure of the mechanical draft device or loss of electrical power, at any time that the mechanical draft device is turned on. This device shall be equipped with a battery backup if it receives power from the building wiring.

3. A smoke detector or alarm, and a carbon monoxide detector or alarm, shall be installed in the room with the appliance or fireplace. This device shall be equipped with a battery backup if it receives power from the building wiring.