Earlier this year, one of the Inspection Question of the Week topics involved the proper elevation for gas water heater installations within a garage. The answer stated that the ignition source (flame) must be elevated 18 inches off the floor. The intention of this standard was to prevent accidental combustion of flammable vapors around the water heater. Last week I was made aware that the code recently changed and 18 inches was no longer the specific requirement. The question now becomes - What IS the new requirement?

True or False? The new minimum elevation requirement for gas fired water heaters installation in a garage is specified at greater than 18 inches above the floor.

FALSE - The most recent edition of the Florida Building Code no longer specifies the necessary elevation for a gas fired water heater. The code NOW requires the appliance to be installed "in accordance with the manufacturers instructions". So what does that mean? It means that the installer will now have to READ the installation instructions for each water heater being installed and customize the application to the manufacturers specification. Why the code change? Because manufacturers of gas water heaters are now using a design that prevents accidental combustion of flammable vapors, making the 18 inch elevation requirement unnecessary.

Angie Brooks at Adagio Realty, Inc