Termination The termination of chimneys or vents equipped with power exhausters shall be located a minimum of 10 feet (3048 mm) from the lot line or from adjacent buildings. The exhaust shall be directed away from the building.
Page 67 of the 2000 IMC, which is the code used around here. Probably is a newer version, check with your local AHJ for their opinion.
city follows IMC, not UMC
Some time ago I asked about this, and someone said that according to the UMC, the vents must be 4ft from a property line.
This has to do with our neighbor's new furnace, which is venting directly in front of our front door (which is on the side of our Dutch colonial).
The city says they follow the International Mechanical Code, not the UMC, and there is nothing in it about the distance from the property line. I find this hard to believe.
Unfortunately, the IMC is not on the web; I'd have to buy a book. So any help is appreciated.
used to be 3', then 6' and now 10', city ( chicago ) is still working on "harmonizing" these issues between the
building, fire, plumbing and mechanical codes.
in the past ( and some still ) do conflict though.
might check with the "other codes" to see if they
have a different view on that.
i.e., local fire code may have greater clearance than
IMC, and that's what's used as the minimum standard.
Sec.8, pg. 63 chi mech code;
18-28-804.3.3 Termination. The termination of chimneys or
vents equipped with power exhausters shall be located a
minimum of 10 feet (3048 mm) from the lot line or from
adjacent buildings. The exhaust shall be directed away from
the building.
this now applies to all buidings here grandfathered or not.
the city has to follow national building codes, they are the minimum, a local building inspector can toughen existing regs but cannot soften them.
Thanks for the quick and knowledgeable help. With renewed confidence I will pursue the matter further.
Look at your local zoning laws, you may find some relief there as well. J. Lockard
> Look at your local zoning laws, you may find some
> relief there as well. J. Lockard
In reference to Venting your neighbor's appliance near your front door, You may look at NFPA. I do not have my copy here so I am going by memory and not the exact wording.
There is a section as to venting with regards to near a window, door and sidewalk. I am sure you can interpret it as any building not just the building that is housing the appliance.
I cannot believe that there is even someone that would install with no regard for human life and safety.
Have you questioned the building inspector or fire inspector? keep us all posted on this one.
I refused to install a power vent (on an old farm house)for an oil Hot Air furnace because it could not be installed corrcetly. (To close to windows and main front door as well as blowing across the main side walk.) Homeowner told me not to worry about those silly charts and diagrams I showed him. I told him that I would not be able to live with myself if there were ever an injury due the installation being incorrect.
those silly little charts and diagrams spoil everyone fun.
3 feet from any window or door,
10 feet from the property line.
I wonder however about dryers and their vents. Same dynamic, just not a "boiler."
The code is silent on dryer venting. Then again, who'd run their dryer 20 hours a day all winter long. (:-o)
