AN UPDATE ON SIDE YARD VENTING PRESENTED BY: HOWARD ANDERSON, BRUINS PLUMBING (EDMONTON, RED DEER) DAVID MACTAVISH, EMCO (CALGARY, LETHBRIDGE) Builders Technical Session 1 In Partnership with:

Changes to Venting Requirements What were the concerns? How did the STANDATA come to be? What does the new Standata say? How can installations avoid problems Critical points for good installations 2

The Issues that Prompted Change Municipalities were receiving complaints Noise Intake of exhaust gases Build-up of icicles Frosting on fences & houses 3

Recognition at the Code Level The B149 Gas Code current edition 2010 was revised and contains this new requirement: A vent shall not terminate where it may cause hazardous frost or ice accumulations on adjacent property surfaces 4

The Goal of the Standata Issued in September, by the Safety Codes Councils gas technical council (G-01-10) Goals: To ensure the safe and effective venting of gas heating appliances Add some parameters around the general sentence in the B149 Gas code, to minimize the effect of the emissions of vents for furnaces, boilers and hot water heaters 5

Specific Wording of the Standata Key Items in the STANDATA: Vents Category III or IV appliances Redirection of exhaust plume The effect of the vent with property lines Less than 4 feet 4 feet to 8 feet Greater than 8 feet 6

Standata Requirements In side yards with a minimum unobstructed distance of 4 feet (1.2 metres) and up to 8 feet There needs to be a means of re-directing the vent with a certified fitting by: - a Tee or a 90 degree elbow - or a termination acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction Must be installed according to manufacturers installation instructions 7

Examples of Manufacturers Directions 8

Avoiding Icicles and Severe Frosting Condense vent gasses as much as possible inside the house Slope to inside Use long enough runs for condensing to occur Provide proper support for the runs to encourage drainage Consider up-sizing the vent piping Consider the length of the vent exhaust pipe on the exterior Avoid concentrating all vents in one area; spacing between vents Consider insulating the pipe Consider using after market condensers ALWAYS Install according to manufacturers directions 9

Placement of Vents, Climate and House Geometry Ensure proper separation of vent hoods Consider prevailing winds in the side yard Dont place vents near bump–outs Consider future decks, number of stories Consider separating intakes and exhausts on different walls of the home 10

Consider Venting Through the Roof Consider whether vent is on windward or leeward side of roof Vents are usually small enough to vent through wall cavities Mechanically support the vent at the top Discharge out the leeward side Glue joints must be done well Right glue, right pipe, right gluing method See IPEX Manual 11

Roof Venting - Rheem 12

Avoiding Noise Issues 13 Placing too many appliances too close together Sizing of the vent pipes Stress on the vent

Better Installs 14

Better Installs 15

Other Installations 16

Coordinate HVAC and Plumbing Installs 17 Builders need to collaborate with their trades Locations of mechanical rooms, decks Locations on drawings Appliance placements Locations on site Coordination between plumbing and HVAC installs

Innovative Installs 18

Issues Need to be Corrected As a site supervisor, raising issues with the installing trade can resolve poor installation issues Work with your code authorities Proper de-ration for high altitude appliances will help with the amount of condensation that occurs in the vent plume 19

Set Consumer Expectations At point of sale At time of walk through Temporary frosting to be expected Icicles need to be taken down Frost needs to be cleaned from intake screens Fine insect screens cannot be used Potential noise Permanent piece in their turnover documents 20

In Summary Proper Installs are CRITICAL Diversion according to AHJ and manufacturers instructions Coordination of trades Maximize condensing to the interior Watch placement on the exterior for: o Proper separation o Prevailing winds o House configurations 21

In Summary 22 Designers and Site supervisors need to play a role Inspections can help nip issues during construction Educate homeowners on: o Expectations o Maintenance required

Questions? 23