802.3 Minimum Safe Performance — 2025 California Mechanical Code

Venting systems shall be designed and constructed to convey all flue and vent gases to the outdoors. [NFPA 54:12.1]

802.3.1 Appliance Draft Requirements. A venting system shall satisfy the draft requirements of the appliance in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. [NFPA 54:12.4.1]

802.3.2 Appliance Venting Requirements. Appliances required to be vented shall be connected to a vent ing system designed and installed in accordance with the provisions of Section 802.4 through Section 802.15.

[NFPA 54:12.4.2]

802.3.3 Mechanical Draft Systems. Mechanical draft systems shall be listed in accordance with UL 378 and installed in accordance with both the appliance and the mechanical draft system manufacturer’s installation instructions. [NFPA 54:12.4.3.1]

802.3.3.1 Venting. Appliances requiring venting shall be permitted to be vented by means of mechanical draft systems of either forced or induced draft design. [NFPA 54:12.4.3.2]

802.3.3.2 Leakage. Forced draft systems and all portions of induced draft systems under positive pressure during operation shall be designed and installed so as to prevent leakage of flue or vent gases into a building. [NFPA 54:12.4.3.3]

802.3.3.3 Vent Connectors. Vent connectors

serving appliances vented by natural draft shall not be connected into any portion of mechanical draft systems operating under positive pressure. [NFPA 54:12.4.3.4]

802.3.3.4 Operation. Where a mechanical draft system is employed, provision shall be made to prevent the flow of gas to the main burners when the draft system is not performing so as to satisfy the operating requirements of the appliance for safe performance. [NFPA 54:12.4.3.5]

802.3.4 Ventilating Hoods and Exhaust Systems. Where automatically operated appliances, other than food service appliances, are vented through a ventilating hood or exhaust system equipped with a damper or with a power means of exhaust, provisions shall be made to allow the flow of gas to the main burners only when the damper is open to a position to properly vent the appliance and when the power means of exhaust is in operation. [NFPA 54:12.4.4.1]

802.3.5 Circulating Air Ducts, Above-Ceiling Air- Handling Spaces, and Furnace Plenums. Venting systems shall not extend into or pass through any fabricated air duct or furnace plenum. [NFPA 54:12.4.5.1]

802.3.6 Above-Ceiling or Nonducted Air Han- dling System. Where a venting system passes through an above-ceiling air space or other nonducted portion of an air-handling system, it shall conform to one of the following requirements:

(1) The venting system shall be a listed special gas vent, other system serving a Category III or Category IV appliance, or other positive pressure vent, with joints sealed in accordance with the appliance or vent manufacturer’s instructions.

(2) The vent system shall be installed such that no fittings or joints between sections are installed in the above-ceiling space.

(3) The venting system shall be installed in a conduit or enclosure with joints between the interior of the enclosure and the ceiling space sealed. [NFPA 54:12.4.5.2]