Water Heater In Closet.

[William jackson]

Does a water heater located in a water heater closet in the garage need to be strapped to meet FHA guidelines.? I have researched and found yes and no.

 

[Jim Shoe]

Does a water heater located in a water heater closet in the garage need to be strapped to meet FHA guidelines.? I have researched and found yes and no.

Just point it out as a potential safety hazard due to subject being located in an earthquake area. Actually, I put a comment in the report that I am deferring that call (making the report subject to or not) to the underwriter. In the game of hot potato, they will say it needs to be strapped, ask you to make the report subject to, then you go back out to check the completion.

You don't have to be the bad guy, you don't eat it if a fire burns down the house, and you make a couple of bucks on the completion. Or, you are not the bad guy, you don't eat it if a fire burns down the house, and you don't need to do the completion (because they don't ask to make it subject to). The underwriter takes the heat if there are ever any problems.

 

[William jackson]

Jim,
That sounds great, thank you.
William

 

[Michigan CG]

......Actually, I put a comment in the report that I am deferring that call (making the report subject to or not) to the underwriter.....

Absolutely the correct answer.

 

[Smokey Bear]

Should be, if it's not. I remember the Landers/Big Bear quake. I was upstairs, and the water heater was brilliantly located in a closet at the landing where the stairs turned. Water heater fell out of the closet, blocking my exit from the 2nd floor. And I REALLY wanted to get the hell out of there.

Yeah, I'd call it out for not being strapped.

 

[RSW]

Does a water heater located in a water heater closet in the garage need to be strapped to meet FHA guidelines.? I have researched and found yes and no.

Water heaters are the only thing that the FHA requires to be installed up to code. I would assume that the water heater has to be strapped since you are in CA.

 

[RSW]

Read this.....

 

[Lobo Fan]

Water heater strapping is a local code issue and is not required in my area, as we are not seismically active. It is like the swimming pool covers that can support a person walking across it. Those are California things.

 

[appraisalpartners]

Water heaters require "dual earthquake straps" or "seismic bracing" by code in CA.

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

Read this.....

Rental water heaters are not allowed.
Never heard of renting one before.

I'm not sure if it's a state building code or what, but around here water heaters need the proper earthquake strapping, etc.


You don't need the thing falling over and spewing hot water while blocking your exit. Could be a fire hazard too.