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]
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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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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. A mechanical draft ve…
- 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 Draft Hoods and Draft Controls. Vented appliances shall…
- 802.13 Manually Operated Dampers. A manually operated damper s…
- 802.14 Obstructions. Devices that retard the flow of vent
- 802.15 Automatically Operated Vent Dampers. An
- 803.1 Single Appliance Vent Table 803.1.2(1) through
- 803.2 Multiple Appliance Vent Table 803.2(1) through
- 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 — 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 — GEOTHERMAL ENERGY SYSTEMS
- Appendix G — SIZING OF VENTING SYSTEMS AND OUTDOOR COMBUSTION …
- Appendix H — EXAMPLE CALCULATION OF OUTDOOR AIR RATE