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December 28, 2007
Boiler Room Question
Fellow Brownstoners,
We have a 3-family house that currently uses a GAS boiler. At one point, there used to be a FUEL boiler in the same spot. Look at picture of old plan w/ fuel boiler. My question is, now that that room is a gas boiler, does it still need the requirements of the fuel boiler, ie 4" CMU walls and 26 ga metal for ceiling. Am I able to take those walls down and open the space up?
Comments
I have a 3 family too with a gas boiler. It was my understanding that with a 3 family you have to keep your boiler in the enclosed room. Lets hear what Master Plvmber has to say.
Posted by: Rick at December 28, 2007 10:17 AM
That is my understanding as well.
Besides, it keeps the fumes and furnace noise confined to that room. I use my basement as a work room, and I'm glad I don't have to worry about the fumes, and pollution on my stuff, or accidentally getting any projects too close to the furnace.
Posted by: Montrose Morris at December 28, 2007 11:06 AM
The boiler room has to be in a 2hr fire rated wall, whether that is built out of block or out of gyp. is not an issue per-se.
Posted by: Espresso at December 28, 2007 11:17 AM
Original Poster here: So it must be enclosed and have a 2-hr fire rated separation in some form or another plus ventilation. Is there a requirement on the boiler room size, or clearance from the boiler? If the room cannot be opened up, it would be nice to make the room smaller. Also, can I relocate the Washer and Dryer to that same room? Thanks to all.
Posted by: sxm at December 28, 2007 12:25 PM
My understanding of the code is that as you have a 3 family home it must be a fire rated room. you need to be able to acess the boiler & water heater to maintain or replace in the future. You must have free air with a fuseable link grille in the event of a fire in the boiler room & all penetrations must be fire rated or have fire stops on them. I would not want to be doing my wash in a smelly & hot boiler room in the middle of the summer or winter for that matter.
Posted by: guest at December 28, 2007 1:23 PM
Does anyone know what the code is for a 2-family? What would that entail in terms of a sheetrock and frame wall?
Posted by: ohiise at December 28, 2007 5:48 PM
A two family has significantly fewer code restrictions than a three family. It's effectively treated by code as a single family home, i.e. no enclosure required.
Posted by: housebywe at December 28, 2007 8:45 PM
housebywe:
It is evident from your website that you have the background to know what you're talking about with regard to the code, but would you personally feel comfortable about not having a boiler protected by a two hour enclosure? I know I wouldn't, whatever the code says.
Posted by: johnife at December 28, 2007 10:03 PM
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