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Chapter 8 — CHIMNEYS AND VENTS

802.8 Through-the-Wall Vent Termination.

California Mechanical Code (Title 24, Part 4) · 2022 edition · updated 2026-09-10 · California

Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.

A mechanical draft venting system shall terminate at least 3 feet (914 mm) above any forced air inlet located within 10 feet (3048 mm). (See Figure 802.8) Exceptions: (1) This provision shall not apply to the combustion air

intake of a direct vent appliance. (2) This provision shall not apply to the separation of the

integral outdoor air inlet and flue gas discharge of listed outdoor appliances. [NFPA 54:12.9.1] 802.8.1 Mechanical Draft Venting System. A mechanical draft venting system of other than direct vent type shall terminate not less than 4 feet (1219 mm) below, 4 feet (1219 mm) horizontally from, or 1 foot (305 mm) above any door, operable window, or gravity air inlet into any building. The bottom of the vent terminal shall be located at least 12 inches (305 mm) above finished ground level. [NFPA 54:12.9.2] 802.8.2 Direct Vent Appliance. The clearances for through-the-wall direct vent terminals shall be in accordance with Table 802.8.2. The bottom of the vent terminal and the air intake shall be located not less than 12 inches (305 mm) above finished ground level. [NFPA 54:12.9.3]

A

TABLE 802.8.2 THROUGH-THE-WALL DIRECT VENT TERMINATION

CLEARANCES

[NFPA 54: TABLE 12.9.3]

DIRECT VENT APPLIANCE
INPUT RATING
THROUGH THE WALL VENT
TERMINAL CLEARANCE FROM ANY
AIR OPENING INTO A BUILDING
(inches)


10 000 Btu/h and less
6



Greater than 10 000 Btu/h
and not exceeding 50 000
Btu/h
9



Greater than 50 000 Btu/h
and not exceeding 150 000
Btu/h
12



> 150 000 Btu/h
In accordance with the appliance
manufacturer’s instructions and in
no case less than the clearances
specified in Section 802.8.1.

For SI Units: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1000 British thermal units per hour = 0.293 kW

802.8.3 Category I through Category IV and Non- categorized Appliances. Through-the-wall vents for Category II and Category IV appliances and noncatego

CHIMNEYS AND VENTS

rized condensing appliances shall not terminate over public walkways or over an area where condensate or vapor could create a nuisance or hazard or could be detrimental to the operation of regulators, relief valves, or other equipment. Where local experience indicates that condensate is a problem with Category I and Category III appliances, this provision shall also apply.

Drains for condensate shall be installed in accordance with the appliance and the vent manufacturer’s installation instructions. [NFPA 54:12.9.4] 802.8.4 Annular Spaces. Where vents, including those for direct vent appliances or combustion air intake pipes, penetrate outside walls of buildings, the annular spaces around such penetrations shall be permanently sealed using approved materials to prevent entry of combustion products into the building. [NFPA 54:12.9.5] 802.8.5 Vent Terminals. Vent systems for Category IV appliances that terminate through an outside wall of a building and discharge flue gases perpendicular to the adjacent wall shall be located not less than 10 feet (3048 mm) horizontally from an operable opening in an adjacent building. Exception: This shall not apply to vent terminals that are 2 feet (610 mm) or more above or 25 feet (7620 mm) or more below operable openings. [NFPA 54:12.9.6]

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Contents — California Mechanical Code (Title 24, Part 4)
California Mechanical Code (Title 24, Part 4)
  1. Chapter 1 — GENERAL CODE PROVISIONS
  2. Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
  3. Chapter 3 — GENERAL REGULATIONS
  4. Chapter 4 — VENTILATION AIR
  5. Chapter 5 — EXHAUST SYSTEMS
  6. Chapter 6 — DUCT SYSTEMS
  7. Chapter 7 — COMBUSTION AIR
  8. Chapter 8 — CHIMNEYS AND VENTS
  9. Chapter 9 — INSTALLATION OF SPECIFIC APPLIANCES
  10. Chapter 10 — BOILERS AND PRESSURE VESSELS
  11. Chapter 11 — REFRIGERATION
  12. Chapter 12 — HYDRONICS
  13. Chapter 13 — FUEL GAS PIPING
  14. Chapter 14 — PROCESS PIPING
  15. Chapter 15 — SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
  16. Chapter 16 — STATIONARY POWER PLANTS
  17. Chapter 17 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
  18. Appendix A — RESIDENTIAL PLAN EXAMINER REVIEW FORM FOR HVAC SY…
  19. Appendix B — PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED TO PLACE GAS EQUIPMENT …
  20. Appendix C — INSTALLATION AND TESTING OF OIL (LIQUID) FUEL-FIR…
  21. Appendix D — FUEL SUPPLY: MANUFACTURED/MOBILE HOME PARKS AND R…
  22. Appendix E — SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
  23. Appendix F — GEOTHERMAL ENERGY SYSTEMS
  24. Appendix G — SIZING OF VENTING SYSTEMS AND OUTDOOR COMBUSTION …
  25. Appendix H — EXAMPLE CALCULATION OF OUTDOOR AIR RATE

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