NC Fuel Gas Code 2011
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December 2011
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Administration
Chapter 3 General Regulations
Chapter 5 Chimneys & Vents
Chapter 7 Gaseous Hydrogen S.
POLICY
Chapter 2 Definitions
Chapter 4 Gas Piping Install.
Chapter 6 Specific Appliances.
Chapter 8 Ind./Special Waste
OTHER
Chapter 1 Administrative:
1) (Q) An engineer provides combustion and ventilation air louver calculations on a
Mechanical Plan for an equipment room with both oil and gas fired equipment.
Can the plans examiner accept the calculations as an alternate design?
(A) Yes. The plan reviewer would need to decide if the calculations and louver
Meet the equivalency test per 105.2.
2) (Q) A Mechanical Inspector is inspecting a furnace change out which did not
require plan review. He notices the new furnace is significantly heavier that the
old unit that has been replaced. Can the inspector pass the inspection as is?
(A)The inspector can use his discretionary powers as a sworn official of the state in one
of three ways. 1. He can determine that the weight of the unit is sufficiently
supported as installed and approve the inspection as is. 2. He can turn the unit down
until he receives a letter from a structural engineer that the installation is supported
per code. 3. He can require plans to be submitted with structural information about
support of the unit to be approved by plan review. Ref: 107.3 NCSBC; Admin.
Code.
Chapter 3General Regulations:
1) Q) The installation instructions for an 80 percent furnace cautions against
providing combustion air from areas such as laundry rooms. The
manufacturer states that installation of a furnace adjacent to laundry
equipment can lead to premature corrosion from chemicals in laundry
detergents. Would it be acceptable to draw combustion air from an open
basement or garage, which by definition is not a confined space, even though
laundry equipment is also located in that space?
A) The unit must be installed according to manufacturer's specifications;
however, as long as it is not in a confined space and the area can provide
adequate combustion air, the installation described above would not be an
issue. The intent of the manufacturers' caution statement is to address a
small room specifically designated as a laundry room. 303.1
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NC Fuel Gas Code 2011
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December 2011
2) Q) At the final inspection the mechanical inspector finds the 3rd party label is missing from
a gas regulator. The contractor tells the inspector that the factory “self certifies” the
regulator to meet the ASTM requirements and presents a letter from the factory
verifying the product has been tested at the factory. Should the inspector approve the
regulator “as is” and final the inspection?
(A) The field inspector should turn the regulator down until it can be determined if the
product meets the ASTM standard specified by the code with the proper label from
the testing lab. Per the Department of Insurance a factory is not allowed to “self
certify” a product. It must have the listing and labeling information from an
approved testing facility. Approved facilities can be found on the DOI web site. Ref:
301.3, 301.5
3) (Q) A gas appliance has been changed out “like for like” in a residential single family
dwelling, however, it is located in a closet opening directly into a bathroom. The closet
door is not louvered; however, the door has been undercut. Can this change out be
approved by the inspector without additional changes?
(A) No. Combustion and ventilation air shall come directly from the outside and the
door shall be weather stripped with a self-closing device. In addition the closet
cannot be used for any other purpose. Ref: 303.3, exception # 5
4) (Q) A boiler requires a barrier separation per the NC Building Code. The boiler is gas
fired and exceeds 15 PSI and 10 Boiler Horsepower. What code requirements would
the boiler have to meet to be approved for minimum combustion and ventilation air
requirements?
(A) Combustion and ventilation air shall be calculated per Section 304 of the NC
Fuel Gas code. If the boiler is regulated by the NC Department of Labor per GS 95
and different criteria exist for combustion and ventilation air then either code
calculation is acceptable as meeting minimum code requirements.
Chapter 4 Gas Piping Installation:
1)
(Q) When and where are sediment traps required?
A) Section 408 requires a sediment trap as close as practical to the inlet side
of the equipment. This would include gas regulators. Regulators for
individual appliances may utilize a single trap for both the regulator as
well as the appliance. Illuminating appliances, ranges, clothes dryers, gas
logs, log lighters and outdoor grills are exempt from traps. Ref: 408
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NC Fuel Gas Code 2011
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December 2011
2)
(Q) May a flexible gas connector run through the appliance housing?
A) No! Ref: 411.1.3.3
3)
(Q) A home inspector has disapproved the material for a “T” fitting in a gas line
stating in his report: “There is a galvanized “T” fitting in the gas line at the first
floor furnace. This is not an acceptable material for gas piping. The galvanizing will
flake off and cause problems with the gas equipment. I recommend correction by a
qualified plumber.” Is this a correct call by the home inspector?
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(A) NO. Galvanized pipe and fittings are an approved material. See material listing.
Re: Section 403.
4)
(Q We received a call that black iron gas piping was being strapped directly to the
underside of the roof sheeting in an attic. Roofing contractors had replaced the
sheeting. Is the gas piping being supported correctly? What is the correct way to
support the piping per the code?
(A)The piping is not supported correctly. It shall be supported by the structural
members of the roof (trusses or sleepers). The roof sheeting does not provide
proper support and is subject to cause damage to the piping via the roofing nails.
Spacing of the supports shall be in accordance with table 415.1. Ref: [B] 302.1
Table 415.1 for spacing requirements.
Chapter 5 Chimneys and Vents:
1) (Q) I am terminating a direct vent appliance on the exterior wall of a residential
building. The fireplace I am venting is on the same wall as the porch. The
porch is open on three sides and the termination cap provides adequate
protection for the vent opening. Am I allowed to install this per code?
A) Yes. A venting system shall be designed and constructed so as to develop a
positive flow adequate to convey flue or vent gases to the outdoor
atmosphere. Once a deck is completely covered and/or screened in, it now
could be an occupied space and would no longer be considered outdoors. We
have to depend on the field Inspector to make an informed judgment. There
are special circumstances where this would be allowed. If the manufacturer’s
instructions allow the installation on an open porch (3 sides) and the
termination vent is protected the installation may be allowed. Ref: 503.3
2) (Q) Screws in venting: Are they necessary? For example, in type B venting.
A) No. Some Manufacturer’s instructions actually allow screws at joints as long as 3
they do not penetrate past the outer wall of the B vent. Ref: 503.6
NC Fuel Gas Code 2011
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December 2011
3) (Q)Under what circumstances, if any, may gas appliance vent pass through the
following? (a) An appliance housing. (b) A factory built fireplace. (c) A floor. (d)
A wall.
(A) (a) If the appliance housing is listed and approved for the vent material
passing through the housing. (b) Similar to answer (a) Ref: 501.7.2 3.
(c) & (d) Not allowed. Single Wall Connector Ref: 503.10.14, (see exceptions)
Medium heat connectors. Ref: 503.10.16
4)
(Q) A Mechanical Contractor has insulated the vent for a 90+ furnace within
an unconditioned space in a single family home. Should the Mechanical
Inspector turn him down? The contractor tells the inspector the requirement is in
the manufacturer’s instructions.
(A) The inspector would have to approve the installation if the contractor is
correct about the manufacturer’s instructions. The inspector can still call the
manufacturer for clarification. Ref: 503.4.1, 503.4.2
5)
(Q)What is the maximum height for a vent used on a 40 gal., natural draft, gas fired
water heater?
(A) Install per manufacturers instruction depending on venting requirements.
Ref: FG 503.3.3#1,624.1
Chapter 6 Specific Appliances:
1) (Q) I want to install code approved unvented gas logs in a commercial restaurant
that seats 100 people. Can this appliance be installed in an assembly
occupancy?
A) No. Unvented room heaters shall not be installed within Groups A, E, and I
Occupancies. Ref: 621.4 (FGC)
2) (Q) A new 5 million BTUH instantaneous water heater is being installed in an
existing food processing plant. The water heater is located in an existing pump
room that also contains electrical panels. The pump room area is 1000 square
feet. Combustion and ventilation air openings are installed high and low and
meet code sizing requirements. Does the pump room have to comply with the
boiler room requirements of [B] 1015.3 for egress?
A) Yes. At 15.1 Boiler Horse Power it will require two remote exit doors per the
Building Code.
3) (Q) What is the BTUH conversion factor for BTUH to Boiler Horse Power?
A) One boiler horse power equal 330,000 BTUH.
4) (Q) Are there other factors or trade requirements that may be effected by the
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NC Fuel Gas Code 2011
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December 2011
installation of the boiler in the pump room?
A) Inspectors should be aware of clearance to combustibles. Ref: 631.3. (FGC)
5) (Q) When the stamping on a pressure-retaining item becomes indistinct or the
nameplate is lost, illegible, or loose, but traceability to the original pressureretaining item is still possible, can a new nameplate be made and attached to
anexistingboiler?
Answer: Yes. All re-stamping must be done in accordance with the original
code of construction. Requests for permission to re-stamp or replace
nameplates must be made to the jurisdiction in which the pressure-retaining
item is located. The jurisdiction may grant such requests if satisfied with the
information submitted. Permission from the jurisdiction is not required for
the reattachment of nameplates that are loose or not fully attached. When
traceability cannot be established, the jurisdiction must be contacted.
Ref; 105, 301.4, 631.1, 631.2
6) (Q) I am a homeowner and I have built a new home. I am selling my existing
home which is being moved off site to make way for a new highway.
The gas water heater is only 2 years old. I am going to re-locate it to my new
residence. I am doing all of the work myself. Is this allowed in Mecklenburg
County?
(A) Yes. You must pass the homeowners test and pull all required permits. The
installation must meet current code. Ref: 102.7, 624.1
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NC Fuel Gas Code 2011
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December 2011
4th
3rd
2nd
1st
Note: The questions above are color coded to identify the quarter
of the calendar year that questions were completed. Quarters
color coded L to R, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.
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