Empire Comfort Systems VFHS-20R-1 Installation Instructions Manual page 7

3. Add the BTU/Hr of all fuel burning appliances in the space.
Vent-free heater
Gas water heater
Gas furnace
Vented gas heater
Gas fireplace logs
Other gas appliances* +
Total
Example: Vented gas heater
Vent-free heater +
Total
*Do not include direct-vent gas appliances. Direct vent draws
combustion air from the outdoors and vents to the outdoors.
4. Compare the maximum BTU/Hr the space can support with
the actual amount of BTU/Hr used.
BTU/Hr (maximum the space can support)
BTU/Hr (actual amount of BTU/Hr used)
Example:
25,600 BTU/Hr (maximum the space can support)
38,000 BTU/Hr (actual amount of BTU/Hr used)
Warning: If the area in which the heater may be operated is
smaller than that defined as an unconfined space or if the building
is of unusually tight construction, provide adequate combustion
and ventilation air by one of the methods described in the
National Fuel Gas Code, ANSI Z223.1, Section 5.3 or applicable
local codes.
The space in the above example is a confined space because the
actual BTU/Hr used is more than the maximum BTU/HR the
space can support. You must provide additional fresh air. Your
options are as follows:
A. Rework worksheet, adding the space of an adjoining room. If
the extra space provides an unconfined space, remove door to
adjoining room or add ventilation grills between rooms. See
Ventilation Air From Inside Building.
B. Vent room directly to the outdoors. See Ventilation Air
From Outdoors.
C. Install a lower BTU/Hr heater, if lower BTU/Hr size makes
room unconfined.
If the actual BTU/Hr used is less than the maximum BTU/Hr the
space can support, the space is an unconfined space. You will
need no additional fresh air ventilation.
WARNING: You must provide additional ventilation
air in a confined space.
VENTILATION AIR
Ventilation Air From Inside Building (Figure 1)
This fresh air would come from an adjoining unconfined space.
When ventilating to an adjoining unconfined space, you must
provide two permanent openings: one within 12" of the ceiling
and one within 12" of the floor on the wall connecting the two
spaces (see options 1 and 2, Figure 1). You can also remove door
into adjoining room (see option 3, Figure 1). Each ventilation grill
or opening shall have a minimum free area of one square inch per
1,000 BTUH of the total input rating of the gas equipment in the
confined space.
VFHS-20/10
BTU/Hr
BTU/Hr
BTU/Hr
BTU/Hr
BTU/Hr
BTU/Hr
= BTU/Hr
20,000 BTU/Hr
18,000 BTU/Hr
= 38,000 BTU/Hr
Figure 1
WARNING: Rework worksheet, adding the space of the
adjoining unconfined space. The combined spaces must
have enough fresh air to supply all appliances in both
spaces.
Ventilation Air From Outdoors (Figure 2)
Provide extra fresh air by using ventilation grills or ducts. You
must provide two permanent openings: one within 12" of the
ceiling and one with 12" of the floor. Connect these items directly
to the outdoors or spaces open to the outdoors. These spaces
include attics and crawl spaces. In most cases for direct
communication with the outdoors or direct communication through
a vertical duct a free area opening of one square inch per 4,000
BTUH of heater input rating for each grill. If a horizontal duct is
used, a grill free area or duct opening shall have a free area
opening of one square inch per 2,000 BTUH for each grill. Follow
the National Fuel Code NFPA 54/ANSI Z223.1, Section 5.3 Air
for Combustion and Ventilation for required size of ventilation
grills or ducts.
IMPORTANT: Do not provide openings for inlet or outlet air into
attic if attic has a thermostat-controlled power vent. Heated air
entering the attic will activate the power vent.
Figure 2
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