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Chapter 8 — CHIMNEYS AND VENTS

803.1 Single Appliance Vent Table 803.1.2(1) through

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.

Table 803.1.2(6). Venting Table 803.1.2(1) through Table 803.1.2(6) shall not be used where obstructions are installed in the venting system. The installation of vents serving listed appliances with vent dampers shall be in accordance with the appliance manufacturer’s instructions or in accordance with the following:

(1) The maximum capacity of the vent system shall be deter mined using the “NAT Max” column.

(2) The minimum capacity shall be determined as though the

appliance were a fan-assisted appliance, using the “FAN Min” column to determine the minimum capacity of the vent system. Where the corresponding “FAN Min” is “NA,” the vent configuration shall not be permitted and an alternative venting configuration shall be utilized.

[NFPA 54:13.1.1]

803.1.1 Vent Downsizing. Where the vent size determined from the tables is smaller than the appliance draft hood outlet or flue collar, the use of the smaller size shall be permitted, provided that the installation complies with all of the following requirements:

(1) The total vent height ( H ) is at least 10 feet (3048

mm).

(2) Vents for appliance draft hood outlets or flue collars

12 inches (305mm) in diameter or smaller are not reduced more than one table size.

(3) Vents for appliance draft hood outlets or flue collars

larger than 12 inches (305 mm) in diameter are not reduced more than two table sizes.

(4) The maximum capacity listed in the tables for a fan assisted appliance is reduced by 10 percent (0.90 x maximum table capacity).

(5) The draft hood outlet is greater than 4 inches (102

mm) in diameter. A 3 inch (76 mm) diameter vent shall not be connected to a 4 inch (102 mm) diameter draft hood outlet. This provision shall not apply to fan-assisted appliances. [NFPA 54:13.1.2]

803.1.2 Elbows. Single-appliance venting configurations with zero (0) lateral lengths in Table 803.1.2(1), Table 803.1.2(2), and Table 803.1.2(5) shall not have elbows in the venting system. Single-appliance venting with lateral lengths include two 90 degree elbows. For each additional elbow up to and including 45 degrees, the maximum capacity listed in the venting tables shall be reduced by 5 percent. For each additional elbow greater than 45 degrees up to and including 90 degrees, the maximum capacity listed in the venting tables shall be reduced by 10 percent. Where multiple offsets occur in a vent, the total lateral length of all offsets combined shall not exceed that specified in Table 803.1.2(1) through Table 803.1.2(5). [NFPA 54:13.1.3]

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CHIMNEYS AND VENTS

803.1.3 Zero Lateral. Zero (0) lateral ( L ) shall apply only to a straight vertical vent attached to a top outlet draft hood or flue collar. [NFPA 54:13.1.4] 803.1.4 High-Altitude Installations. Sea level input ratings shall be used when determining maximum capacity for high-altitude installation. Actual input (derated for altitude) shall be used for determining minimum capacity for high-altitude installation. [NFPA 54:13.1.5] 803.1.5 Multiple Input Ratings. For appliances with more than one input rate, the minimum vent capacity (FAN Min) determined from Table 803.1.2(1) through Table 803.2(9) shall be less than the lowest appliance input rating, and the maximum vent capacity (FAN Max/NAT Max) determined from the tables shall be greater than the highest appliance rating input. [NFPA 54:13.1.6]

803.1.6 Corrugated Chimney Liner Reduction. Listed corrugated metallic chimney liner systems in masonry chimneys shall be sized by using Table 803.1.2(1) or Table 803.1.2(2) for Type B vents, with the maximum capacity reduced by 20 percent (0.80 x maximum capacity) and the minimum capacity as shown in Table 803.1.2(1) or Table 803.1.2(2).

Corrugated metallic liner systems installed with bends or offsets shall have their maximum capacity further reduced in accordance with Section 803.1.2. The 20 percent reduction for corrugated metallic chimney liner systems includes an allowance for one long radius 90 degree (1.57 rad) turn at the bottom of the liner. [NFPA 54:13.1.7] 803.1.7 Connection to Chimney Liners. Connections between chimney liners and listed double-wall connectors shall be made with listed adapters designed for such purpose. [NFPA 54:13.1.8] 803.1.8 Vertical Vent Upsizing Using 7 x Rule. Where the vertical vent has a larger diameter than the vent connector, the vertical vent diameter shall be used to determine the minimum vent capacity, and the connector diameter shall be used to determine the maximum vent capacity. The flow area of the vertical vent shall not exceed seven times the flow area of the listed appliance categorized vent area, flue collar area, or draft hood outlet area unless designed in accordance with approved engineering methods. [NFPA 54:13.1.9] 803.1.9 Draft Hood Conversion Accessories. Draft hood conversion accessories for use with masonry chimneys venting listed Category I fan-assisted appliances shall be listed and installed in accordance with the listed accessory manufacturer’s installation instructions.

[NFPA 54:13.1.10] 803.1.10 Chimney and Vent Locations. Table 803.1.2(1) through Table 803.1.2(5) shall be used only for chimneys and vents not exposed to the outdoors below the roof line. A Type B vent or listed chimney lining system passing through an unused masonry chimney flue shall not be considered to be exposed to the outdoors. Where vents extend outdoors above the roof more than 5 feet (1524 mm) higher than required by Table 802.6.1, and where

Table 803.1.2(1) through Table 803.1.2(5) shall be used only for chimneys and vents not exposed to the outdoors below the roof line. A Type B vent or listed chimney lining system passing through an unused masonry chimney flue shall not be considered to be exposed to the outdoors. Where vents extend outdoors above the roof more than 5 feet (1524 mm) higher than required by Table 802.6.1, and where

vents terminate in accordance with Section 802.6.1(1)(b), the outdoor portion of the vent shall be enclosed as required by this paragraph for vents not considered to be exposed to the outdoors, or such venting system shall be engineered. A Type B vent passing through an unventilated enclosure or chase insulated to a value of not less than R8 shall not be considered to be exposed to the outdoors. Table 803.1.2(3) in combination with Table 803.1.2(6) shall be used for clay tile-lined exterior masonry chimneys, provided all of the following requirements are met: (1) The vent connector is Type B double wall. (2) The vent connector length is limited to 18 in./in. (18

mm/mm) of vent connector diameter. (3) The appliance is draft hood equipped. (4) The input rating is less than the maximum capacity

given in Table 803.1.2(3). (5) For a water heater, the outdoor design temperature

shall not be less than 5°F (-15°C). (6) For a space-heating appliance, the input rating is

greater than the minimum capacity given by Table 803.1.2(6). [NFPA 54:13.1.11] 803.1.11 Residential and Low-Heat Appliances. Flue lining system for residential and low heat appliance shall be in accordance with Section 803.1.11.1 and Section 803.1.11.2.

803.1.11.1 Clay Flue Lining. Clay flue lining shall be manufactured in accordance with ASTM C315 or other approved standard. 803.1.11.2 Chimney Lining. Chimney lining shall be listed in accordance with UL 1777. 803.1.12 Corrugated Vent Connector Size. Corrugated vent connectors shall not be smaller than the listed appliance categorized vent diameter, flue collar diameter, or draft hood outlet diameter. [NFPA 54:13.1.12] 803.1.13 Upsizing. Vent connectors shall not be upsized more than two sizes greater than the listed appliance categorized vent diameter, flue collar diameter, or draft hood outlet diameter. [NFPA 54:13.1.13] 803.1.14 Single Run of Vent. In a single run of vent or vent connector, more than one diameter and type shall be permitted to be used, provided that all the sizes and types are permitted by the tables. [NFPA 54:13.1.14] 803.1.15 Interpolation. Interpolation shall be permitted in calculating capacities for vent dimensions that fall between table entries. [NFPA 54:13.1.15] 803.1.16 Extrapolation. Extrapolation beyond the table entries shall not be permitted. [NFPA 54:13.1.16] 803.1.17 Engineering Methods. For vent heights lower than 6 feet (1829 mm) and higher than shown in Table 803.1.2(1) through Table 803.2(9), engineering methods shall be used to calculate vent capacities.

capacities for vent dimensions that fall between table entries. [NFPA 54:13.1.15] 803.1.16 Extrapolation. Extrapolation beyond the table entries shall not be permitted. [NFPA 54:13.1.16] 803.1.17 Engineering Methods. For vent heights lower than 6 feet (1829 mm) and higher than shown in Table 803.1.2(1) through Table 803.2(9), engineering methods shall be used to calculate vent capacities.

[NFPA 54:13.1.17] 803.1.18 Height Entries. Where the actual height of a vent falls between entries in the height column of the applicable table in Table 803.1.2(1) through Table 803.1.2(6), either of the following shall be used:

152 2022 CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE

(1) Interpolation. (2) The lower appliance input rating shown in the table

entries for FAN MAX and NAT MAX column values, and the higher appliance input rating for the FAN MIN column values. [NFPA 54:13.1.18]

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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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