Chapter 8 — CHIMNEYS AND VENTS
802.7 Single-Wall Metal Pipe. Single-wall metal pipe shall
California Mechanical Code (Title 24, Part 4) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-09-10 · California
Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.
be constructed of galvanized sheet steel not less than 0.0304 of an inch (0.7722 mm) thick or of other approved, noncombustible, corrosion-resistant material. [NFPA 54:12.8.1]
802.7.1 Cold Climate. Uninsulated single-wall metal pipe shall not be used outdoors for venting appliances in regions where the 99 percent winter design temperature is below 32°F (0°C). [NFPA 54:12.8.2]
802.7.2 Termination. The termination of single-wall metal pipe shall meet the following requirements:
(1) Single-wall metal pipe shall terminate at least 5 feet (1524 mm) in vertical height above the highest connected appliance draft hood outlet or flue collar.
(2) Single-wall metal pipe shall extend at least 2 feet (610 mm) above the highest point where it passes through a roof of a building and at least 2 feet (610 mm) higher than any portion of a building within a horizontal distance of 10 feet (3048 mm).
(3) An approved cap or roof assembly shall be attached to the terminus of a single-wall metal pipe. [NFPA 54:12.8.3]
802.7.3 Installation with Appliances Permitted by Section 802.4. Single-wall metal pipe shall not be used as a vent in dwellings and residential occupancies.
[NFPA 54:12.8.4.1]
802.7.3.1 Limitations. Single-wall metal pipe shall be used only for runs directly from the space in which the appliance is located through the roof or exterior wall to the outer air. A pipe passing through a roof shall extend without interruption through the roof flashing, roof jacket, or roof thimble. [NFPA 54:12.8.4.2]
802.7.3.2 Attic or Concealed Space. Singlewall metal pipe shall not originate in any unoccupied attic or concealed space and shall not pass through any attic, inside wall, concealed space, or floor. [NFPA 54:12.8.4.3]
802.7.3.3 Clearances. Minimum clearances from
single-wall metal pipe to combustible material shall be in accordance with Table 802.7.3.3. Reduced
clearances from single-wall metal pipe to combustible material shall be as specified for vent connectors. [NFPA 54:12.8.4.4]
802.7.3.4 Roof Thimble. Where a single-wall metal pipe passes through a roof constructed of combustible material, a noncombustible, nonventilating thimble shall be used at the point of passage. The thimble shall extend at least 18 inches (457 mm) above and 6 inches (152 mm) below the roof with the annular space open at the bottom and closed only at the top. The thimble shall be sized in accordance with Section 802.7.3.5. [NFPA 54:12.8.4.5] 802.7.3.5 Combustible Exterior Wall. Singlewall metal pipe shall not pass through a combustible exterior wall unless guarded at the point of passage by a ventilated metal thimble not smaller than the following:
(1) For listed appliances with draft hoods and appliances listed for use with Type B gas vents, the thimble shall be a minimum of 4 inches (102 mm) larger in diameter than the metal pipe. Where there is a run of not less than 6 feet
(1829 mm) of metal pipe in the opening between the draft hood outlet and the thimble, the thimble shall be a minimum of 2 inches (51 mm) larger in diameter than the metal pipe.
(2) For unlisted appliances having draft hoods, the thimble shall be a minimum of 6 inches (152 mm) larger in diameter than the metal pipe.
(3) For residential and low-heat appliances, the thimble shall be a minimum of 12 inches (305 mm) larger in diameter than the metal pipe.
Exception: In lieu of thimble protection, all combustible material in the wall shall be removed a suffi cient distance from the metal pipe to provide the
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CHIMNEYS AND VENTS
specified clearance from such metal pipe to combustible material. Any material used to close up such opening shall be noncombustible. [NFPA 54:12.8.4.6] 802.7.4 Size of Single-Wall Metal Pipe. Single-wall metal piping shall comply with the following require ments:
(1) A venting system of a single-wall metal pipe shall be sized in accordance with one of the following methods and the appliance manufacturer’s instructions:
(a) For a draft hood-equipped appliance, in accordance with Section 803.0.
(b) For a venting system for a single appliance with a draft hood, the areas of the connector and the pipe each shall not be less than the area of the appliance flue collar or draft hood outlet, whichever is smaller. The vent area shall not be greater than seven times the draft hood outlet area.
(c) Engineering methods.
(2) Where a single-wall metal pipe is used and has a shape other than round, it shall have an equivalent effective area equal to the effective area of the round pipe for which it is substituted and the minimum internal dimension of the pipe shall be 2 inches (51 mm).
(3) The vent cap or a roof assembly shall have a venting capacity not less than that of the pipe to which it is attached. [NFPA 54:12.8.5]
802.7.5 Support of Single-Wall Metal Pipe. All portions of single-wall metal pipe shall be supported for the design and weight of the material employed. [NFPA 54:12.8.6]
802.7.6 Marking. Single-wall metal pipe shall comply with the marking provisions of Section 802.6.5. [NFPA 54:12.8.7]
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Ask AI about this code▸Contents — California Mechanical Code (Title 24, Part 4)
- Chapter 1 — GENERAL CODE PROVISIONS
- Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 3 — GENERAL REGULATIONS
- Chapter 4 — VENTILATION AIR
- Chapter 5 — EXHAUST SYSTEMS
- Chapter 6 — DUCT SYSTEMS
- Chapter 7 — COMBUSTION AIR
▸Chapter 8 — CHIMNEYS AND VENTS
Overview- 801.1 Applicability. The requirements of this chapter shall
- 801.2 Venting of Gas Appliances. Low-heat and
- 801.3 Appliances Fueled by Other Fuels. Appliances
- 802.1 Listing. Type B and Type B-W gas vents shall comply with…
- 802.2 Connection to Venting Systems. Except as permitted in Se…
- 802.3 Minimum Safe Performance. Venting systems shall
- 802.4 Type of Venting System to be Used. The type of
- 802.5 Masonry, Metal, and Factory-Built Chimneys.
- 802.6 Gas Vents. The installation of gas vents shall meet
- 802.7 Single-Wall Metal Pipe. Single-wall metal pipe shall
- 802.8 Through-the-Wall Vent Termination. Throughthe-wall vent …
- 802.9 Condensation Drain. Provision shall be made to
- 802.10 Vent Connectors for Category I Appliances.
- 802.11 Vent Connectors for Category II, Category III,
- 802.12 Appliances Requiring Draft Hoods. Vented
- 802.13 Manually Operated Dampers. A manually operated damper s…
- 802.14 Automatically Operated Vent Dampers. An
- 802.15 Obstruction of Flow. Devices that retard the flow
- 803.1 Additional Requirements to Single Appliance
- 803.2 Additional Requirements to Multiple-Appliance
- Chapter 9 — INSTALLATION OF SPECIFIC APPLIANCES
- Chapter 10 — BOILERS AND PRESSURE VESSELS
- Chapter 11 — REFRIGERATION
- Chapter 12 — HYDRONICS
- Chapter 13 — FUEL GAS PIPING
- Chapter 14 — PROCESS PIPING
- Chapter 15 — SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
- Chapter 16 — STATIONARY POWER PLANTS
- Chapter 17 — GEOTHERMAL ENERGY SYSTEMS AND AMBIENT TEMPERATURE…
- Chapter 18 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
- Appendix A — RESIDENTIAL PLAN EXAMINER REVIEW FORM FOR HVAC SY…
- Appendix B — PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED TO PLACE GAS EQUIPMENT …
- Appendix C — INSTALLATION AND TESTING OF OIL (LIQUID) FUEL-FIR…
- Appendix D — FUEL SUPPLY: MANUFACTURED/MOBILE HOME PARKS AND R…
- Appendix E — SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
- Appendix F — SIZING OF VENTING SYSTEMS AND OUTDOOR COMBUSTION …
- Appendix G — EXAMPLE CALCULATION OF OUTDOOR AIR RATE
- Appendix H — PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Appendix I — INDOOR HORTICULTURAL FACILITIES
- Appendix J — CLEAN AIR DELIVERY