Water Vapor: A By-Product Of Unvented Room Heaters; Provisions For Adequate Combustion And Ventilation Air - Empire Heating Systems SR-6-3 Installation Instructions And Owner's Manual

WATeR VAPOR: A By-PRODUCT OF UnVenTeD ROOM HeATeRS

Water vapor is a by-product of gas combustion. An unvented room
heater produces approximately one (1) ounce (30ml) of water for
every 1,000 BTU's (.3KW's) of gas input per hour.
Unvented room heaters must be used as supplemental heat (a
room) rather than a primary heat source (an entire house). In most
supplemental heat applications, the water vapor does not create a
problem. In most applications, the water vapor enhances the low
humidity atmosphere experienced during cold weather.
PROVISIOnS FOR ADeqUATe COMBUSTIOn & VenTILATIOn AIR

Provisions for Adequate Combustion and Ventilation Air

This heater shall not be installed in a confined space or unusually
tight construction unless provisions are provided for adequate
combustion and ventilation air.
The National Fuel Gas Code, ANSI Z223.1 defines a confined space
as a space whose volume is less than 50 cubic feet per 1,000 Btu per
hour (4.8m per kw) of the aggregate input rating of all appliances
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installed in that space and an unconfined space as a space whose
volume is not less than 50 cubic feet per 1,000 Btu per hour (4.8m
per kw) of the aggregate input rating of all appliances installed in
that space. Rooms communicating directly with the space in which
the appliances are installed, through openings not furnished with
doors, are considered a part of the unconfined space.
The following example is for determining the volume of a typical
area in which the SR-18 may be located and for determining if
this area fits the definition of an unconfined space.
The maximum input of the SR-18 is 18,000 Btu per hour. Based
on the 50 cubic feet per 1,000 Btu per hour formula, the minimum
area that is an unconfined space for installation of the SR-18 is
900 cubic feet, 50 cubic feet x 18 = 900 cubic feet. To determine
the cubic feet of the area in which the SR-18 is to be installed,
measure the length, width and height of the area. example: The
area measures 13 feet in length, 9 feet in width and 8 feet in
height, the area is 936 cubic feet. The SR-18 can be installed in
this unconfined space with no requirement to provide additional
combustion and ventilation air.
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The following steps will help insure that water vapor does not
become a problem.
1. Be sure the heater is sized properly for the application, including
ample combustion air and circulation air.
2. If high humidity is experienced, a dehumidifier may be used to
help lower the water vapor content of the air.
3. Do not use an unvented room heater as the primary heat source
(an entire house).
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/nFPA 54, Air for Combustion and
Ventilation, or applicable local codes.
Unusually Tight Construction
The air that leaks around doors and windows may provide enough
fresh air for combustion and ventilation. However, in buildings of
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unusually tight construction, you must provide additional fresh
air.
Unusually tight construction is defined as construction where:
a. Walls and ceilings exposed to the outside atmosphere have
a continuous water vapor retarder with a rating of one perm
or less with openings gasketed or sealed, and
b. Weatherstripping has been added on openable windows and
doors, and
c. Caulking or sealants are applied to areas such as joints
around window and door frames, between sole plates and
floors, between wall-ceiling joints, between wall panels, at
penetrations for plumbing, electrical, and gas lines, and at
other openings.
If the heater is installed in a building of unusually tight construction,
adequate air for combustion, ventilation and dilution of flue gases
shall be provided in accordance with AnSI Z223.1/nFPA54.
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