FHA Requirement For Water Heaters In Garage?

[BEEHLER]

If the water heater is in the garage, does it still need to be elevated 18" from floor to meet FHA's minimum requirements? Please advise. Thanks.

 

[Mr Rex]

[FONT=Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Gas water heaters are required to be 18" above the floor of a garage in most codes. FHA says it must meet code:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Chapter 1
Appraisal & Property Requirements
[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Page 1-27[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Requirements: [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]1. All water heaters must have a non-adjustable temperature and pressure-relief valve.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]2. The water heater must comply with local building codes regardless of its location.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]3. Rental water heaters are not acceptable. [/FONT]

 

[BEEHLER]

Water Heaters

What if the water heater is electric? By the way thanks for the reply.

 

[RSW]

What if the water heater is electric? By the way thanks for the reply.

Electric water heaters just have to meet local code. Now, if your local code says it has to be then it has to be elevated.

 

[Mr Rex]

Electric water heaters do not matter. The idea behind raising a gas water heater 18'' above the floor is that gas fumes sink, so that if your car has a gas tank leak or you spill gas filling the mower etc, the pilot light is above the level of the fumes.

 

[Bob Ipock]

Some local codes call for a "stop" such as a steel post in front of a water heater so a car could not hit it and cause a water, electrical or gas problem.

 

[Mr Rex]

I can tell you a funny story about my little experiment with sinking gas fumes. It involves using a little gasoline to start a burn pile, a thrown match, and the loss of hair on my feet and up my legs about crew sock high. I was wearing flip flops of course.:icon_mrgreen:

 

[RSW]

I can tell you a funny story about my little experiment with sinking gas fumes. It involves using a little gasoline to start a burn pile, a thrown match, and the loss of hair on my feet and up my legs about crew sock high. I was wearing flip flops of course.:icon_mrgreen:

Is that what happened to your hair on top of your head?

 

[Mr Rex]

I still have most of my hair, and I was a hairy beast from birth. So I rock the Bert Reynolds chest beard if I wear an open collar. Luckily not much back hair, or I would have to buy into all that evolution jazz.

 

[Mike Boyd]

If the water heater is in the garage, does it still need to be elevated 18" from floor to meet FHA's minimum requirements? Please advise. Thanks.

Only if it is gas water heater.