Ohio Administrative Code
Title 4101:8 - Board of Building Standards: Residential Code of Ohio
Chapter 4101:8-18 - Chimneys and Vents
Section 4101:8-18-01 - Chimneys and vents

Universal Citation: OH Admin Code 4101:8-18-01

Current through all regulations passed and filed through September 16, 2024

[Comment: When a reference is made within this rule to a federal statutory provision, an industry consensus standard, or any other technical publication, the specific date and title of the publication as well as the name and address of the promulgating agency are listed in rule 4101:8-44-01 of the Administrative Code. The application of the referenced standards shall be limited and as prescribed in section 102.5 of rule 4101:8-1-01 of the Administrative Code.]

SECTION 1801

GENERAL

1801.1 Venting required. Fuel-burning appliances shall be vented to the outdoors in accordance with their listing and label and manufacturer's installation instructions except appliances listed and labeled for unvented use. Venting systems shall consist of approved chimneys or vents, or venting assemblies that are integral parts of labeled appliances. Gas-fired appliances shall be vented in accordance with Chapter 24.

This section should not be construed as permitting the installation of portable unvented heaters in locations otherwise prohibited by section 3701.82 of the Revised Code or rules adopted by the state fire marshal pursuant to 3701.82 of the Revised Code.

1801.2 Draft requirements. A venting system shall satisfy the draft requirements of the appliance in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions, and shall be constructed and installed to develop a positive flow to convey combustion products to the outside atmosphere.

1801.3 Existing chimneys and vents. Where an appliance is permanently disconnected from an existing chimney or vent, or where an appliance is connected to an existing chimney or vent during the process of a new installation, the chimney or vent shall comply with Sections 1801.3.1 through 1801.3.4.
1801.3.1 Size. The chimney or vent shall be resized as necessary to control flue gas condensation in the interior of the chimney or vent and to provide the appliance, or appliances served, with the required draft. For the venting of oil-fired appliances to masonry chimneys, the resizing shall be done in accordance with NFPA 31.

1801.3.2 Flue passageways. The flue gas passageway shall be free of obstructions and combustible deposits and shall be cleaned if previously used for venting a solid or liquid fuel-burning appliance or fireplace. The flue liner, chimney inner wall or vent inner wall shall be continuous and free of cracks, gaps, perforations, or other damage or deterioration that would allow the escape of combustion products, including gases, moisture and creosote.

1801.3.3 Cleanout. Masonry chimneys shall be provided with a cleanout opening complying with Section 1003.17.

1801.3.4 Clearances. Chimneys and vents shall have airspace clearance to combustibles in accordance with this code and the chimney or vent manufacturer's installation instructions.

Exception: Masonry chimneys equipped with a chimney lining system tested and listed for installation in chimneys in contact with combustibles in accordance with UL 1777, and installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, shall not be required to have a clearance between combustible materials and exterior surfaces of the masonry chimney. Noncombustible fire stopping shall be provided in accordance with this code.

1801.4 Space around lining. The space surrounding a flue lining system or other vent installed within a masonry chimney shall not be used to vent any other appliance. This shall not prevent the installation of a separate flue lining in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions and this code.

1801.5 Mechanical draft systems. A mechanical draft system shall be used only with appliances listed and labeled for such use. Provisions shall be made to prevent the flow of fuel to the equipment when the draft system is not operating. Forced draft systems and portions of induced draft systems under positive pressure during operation shall be designed and installed to prevent leakage of flue gases into a building.

1801.6 Direct-vent appliances. Direct-vent appliances shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

1801.7 Support. Venting systems shall be adequately supported for the weight of the material used.

1801.8 Duct penetrations. Chimneys, vents and vent connectors shall not extend into or through supply and return air ducts or plenums.

1801.9 Fireblocking. Vent and chimney installations shall be fireblocked in accordance with Section 602.8.

1801.10 Unused openings. Unused openings in any venting system shall be closed or capped.

1801.11 Multiple-appliance venting systems. Two or more listed and labeled appliances connected to a common natural draft venting system shall comply with the following requirements:
1. Appliances that are connected to common venting systems shall be located on the same floor of the dwelling.

Exception: Engineered systems as provided for in Section 2427.

2. Inlets to common venting systems shall be offset such that no portion of an inlet is opposite another inlet.

3. Connectors serving appliances operating under a natural draft shall not be connected to any portion of a mechanical draft system operating under positive pressure.

1801.12 Multiple solid fuel prohibited. A solid fuel-burning appliance or fireplace shall not connect to a chimney passageway venting another appliance.

SECTION 1802

VENT COMPONENTS

1802.1 Draft hoods. Draft hoods shall be located in the same room or space as the combustion air openings for the appliances.

1802.2 Vent dampers. Vent dampers shall comply with Sections 1802.2.1 and 1802.2.2.
1802.2.1 Manually operated. Manually operated dampers shall not be installed except in connectors or chimneys serving solid fuel-burning appliances.

1802.2.2 Automatically operated. Automatically operated dampers shall conform to UL 17 and be installed in accordance with the terms of their listing and label. The installation shall prevent firing of the burner when the damper is not opened to a safe position.

1802.3 Draft regulators. Draft regulators shall be provided for oil-fired appliances that must be connected to a chimney. Draft regulators provided for solid fuel-burning appliances to reduce draft intensity shall be installed and set in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions.
1802.3.1 Location. Where required, draft regulators shall be installed in the same room or enclosure as the appliance so that a difference in pressure will not exist between the air at the regulator and the combustion air supply.

SECTION 1803

CHIMNEY AND VENT CONNECTORS

1803.1 General. Connectors shall be used to connect fuel-burning appliances to a vertical chimney or vent except where the chimney or vent is attached directly to the appliance.

1803.2 Connectors for oil and solid fuel-burning appliances. Connectors for oil and solid fuel-burning appliances shall be constructed of factory-built chimney material, Type L vent material or single-wall metal pipe having resistance to corrosion and heat and thickness not less than that of galvanized steel as specified in Table 1803.2.

TABLE 1803.2

THICKNESS FOR SINGLE-WALL METAL PIPE CONNECTORS

DIAMETER OF CONNECTOR (inches)

GALVANIZED SHEET METAL GAGE NUMBER

MINIMUM THICKNESS (inch)

Less than 6

26

0.019

6 to 10

24

0.024

Over 10 through 16

22

0.029

For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.

1803.3 Installation. Vent and chimney connectors shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and within the space where the appliance is located. Appliances shall be located as close as practical to the vent or chimney. Connectors shall be as short and straight as possible and installed with a slope of not less than 1/4 inch (6 mm) rise per foot of run. Connectors shall be securely supported and joints shall be fastened with sheet metal screws or rivets. Devices that obstruct the flow of flue gases shall not be installed in a connector unless listed and labeled or approved for such installation.
1803.3.1 Floor, ceiling and wall penetrations. A chimney connector or vent connector shall not pass through any floor or ceiling. A chimney connector or vent connector shall not pass through a wall or partition unless the connector is listed and labeled for wall pass-through, or is routed through a device listed and labeled for wall pass-through and is installed in accordance with the conditions of its listing and label. Connectors for oil-fired appliances listed and labeled for Type L vents, passing through walls or partitions shall be in accordance with the following:
1. Type L vent material for oil appliances shall be installed with not less than listed and labeled clearances to combustible material.

2. Single-wall metal pipe shall be guarded by a ventilated metal thimble not less than 4 inches (102 mm) larger in diameter than the vent connector. Not less than 6 inches (152 mm) of clearance shall be maintained between the thimble and combustibles.

1803.3.2 Length. The horizontal run of an uninsulated connector to a natural draft chimney shall not exceed 75 percent of the height of the vertical portion of the chimney above the connector. The horizontal run of a listed connector to a natural draft chimney shall not exceed 100 percent of the height of the vertical portion of the chimney above the connector.

1803.3.3 Size. A connector shall not be smaller than the flue collar of the appliance.

Exception: Where installed in accordance with the appliance manufacturer's instructions.

1803.3.4 Clearance. Connectors shall be installed with clearance to combustibles as set forth in Table 1803.3.4. Reduced clearances to combustible materials shall be in accordance with Table 1306.2 and Figure 1306.1.

TABLE 1803.3.4

CHIMNEY AND VENT CONNECTOR CLEARANCES TO COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALSa

TYPE OF CONNECTOR

MINIMUM CLEARANCE (inches)

Single-wall metal pipe connectors:

Oil and solid-fuel appliances

Oil appliances listed for use with Type L vents

18

9

Type L vent piping connectors:

Oil and solid-fuel appliances

Oil appliances listed for use with Type L vents

9

3b

For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.

a. These minimum clearances apply to unlisted single-wall chimney and vent connectors. Reduction of required clearances is permitted as in Table 1306.2.

b. Where listed Type L vent piping is used, the clearance shall be in accordance with the vent listing.

1803.3.5 Access The entire length of a connector shall allow access for inspection, cleaning and replacement.

1803.4 Connection to fireplace flue. Connection of appliances to chimney flues serving fireplaces shall comply with Sections 1803.4.1 through 1803.4.4.
1803.4.1 Closure and accessibility. A noncombustible seal shall be provided below the point of connection to prevent entry of room air into the flue. Means shall be provided for access to the flue for inspection and cleaning.

1803.4.2 Connection to factory-built fireplace flue. A different appliance shall not be connected to a flue serving a factory-built fireplace unless the appliance is specifically listed for such an installation. The connection shall be made in compliance with the appliance manufacturer's instructions.

1803.4.3 Connection to masonry fireplace flue. A connector shall extend from the appliance to the flue serving a masonry fireplace to convey the flue gases directly into the flue. The connector shall be provided with access or shall be removable for inspection and cleaning of both the connector and the flue. Listed direct-connection devices shall be installed in accordance with their listing.

1803.4.4 Size of flue. The size of the fireplace flue shall be in accordance with Section 1805.3.1.

SECTION 1804

VENTS

1804.1 Type of vent required. Appliances shall be provided with a listed and labeled venting system as set forth in Table 1804.1.

TABLE 1804.1

VENT SELECTION CHART

VENT TYPES

APPLIANCE TYPES

Type L oil vents

Oil-burning appliances listed and labeled for venting with Type L vents

Pellet vents

Pellet fuel-burning appliances listed and labeled for use with pellet vents

1804.2 Termination. Vent termination shall comply with Sections 1804.2.1 through 1804.2.6.
1804.2.1 Through the roof. Vents passing through a roof shall extend through flashing and terminate in accordance with the manufacturer's installation requirements.

1804.2.2 Decorative shrouds. Decorative shrouds shall not be installed at the termination of vents except where the shrouds are listed and labeled for use with the specific venting system and are installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

1804.2.3 Natural draft appliances. Vents for natural draft appliances shall terminate not less than 5 feet (1524 mm) above the highest connected appliance outlet, and natural draft gas vents serving wall furnaces shall terminate at an elevation not less than 12 feet (3658 mm) above the bottom of the furnace.

1804.2.4 Type L vent. Type L venting systems shall conform to UL 641 and shall terminate with a listed and labeled cap in accordance with the vent manufacturer's installation instructions not less than 2 feet (610 mm) above the roof and not less than 2 feet (610 mm) above any portion of the building within 10 feet (3048 mm).

1804.2.5 Direct vent terminations. Vent terminals for direct-vent appliances shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

1804.2.6 Mechanical draft systems. Mechanical draft systems shall comply with UL 378 and shall be installed in accordance with their listing, the manufacturer's instructions and, except for direct-vent appliances, the following requirements:
1. The vent terminal shall be located not less than 3 feet (914 mm) above a forced air inlet located within 10 feet (3048 mm).

2. The vent terminal shall be located not less than 4 feet (1219 mm) below, 4 feet (1219 mm) horizontally from, or 1 foot (305 mm) above any door, window or gravity air inlet into a dwelling.

3. The vent termination point shall be located not closer than 3 feet (914 mm) to an interior corner formed by two walls perpendicular to each other.

4. The bottom of the vent terminal shall be located not less than 12 inches (305 mm) above finished ground level.

5. The vent termination shall not be mounted directly above or within 3 feet (914 mm) horizontally of an oil tank vent or gas meter.

6. Power exhauster terminations shall be located not less than 10 feet (3048 mm) from lot lines and adjacent buildings.

7. The discharge shall be directed away from the building.

1804.3 Installation. Type L and pellet vents shall be installed in accordance with the terms of their listing and label and the manufacturer's instructions.
1804.3.1 Size of single-appliance venting systems. An individual vent for a single appliance shall have a cross-sectional area equal to or greater than the area of the connector to the appliance, but not less than 7 square inches (4515 mm2) except where the vent is an integral part of a listed and labeled appliance.

1804.4 Door swing. Appliance and equipment vent terminals shall be located such that doors cannot swing within 12 inches (305 mm) horizontally of the vent terminals. Door stops or closers shall not be installed to obtain this clearance.

SECTION 1805

MASONRY AND FACTORY-BUILT CHIMNEYS

1805.1 General. Masonry and factory-built chimneys shall be built and installed in accordance with Sections 1003 and 1005, respectively. Flue lining for masonry chimneys shall comply with Section 1003.11.

1805.2 Masonry chimney connection. A chimney connector shall enter a masonry chimney not less than 6 inches (152 mm) above the bottom of the chimney. Where it is not possible to locate the connector entry not less than 6 inches (152 mm) above the bottom of the chimney flue, a cleanout shall be provided by installing a capped tee in the connector next to the chimney. A connector entering a masonry chimney shall extend through, but not beyond, the wall and shall be flush with the inner face of the liner. Connectors, or thimbles where used, shall be firmly cemented into the masonry.

1805.3 Size of chimney flues. The effective area of a natural draft chimney flue for one appliance shall be not less than the area of the connector to the appliance. The area of chimney flues connected to more than one appliance shall be not less than the area of the largest connector plus 50 percent of the areas of additional chimney connectors.

Exception: Chimney flues serving oil-fired appliances sized in accordance with NFPA 31.

1805.3.1 Size of chimney flue for solid-fuel appliance. Except where otherwise specified in the manufacturer's installation instructions, the cross-sectional area of a flue connected to a solid fuel-burning appliance shall be not less than the area of the flue collar or connector, and not larger than three times the area of the flue collar.

Replaces: 4101:8-18-01

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