508.2 Installation of Appliances on Roofs. Appliances
California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-09-10 · California
Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.
shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions. [NFPA 54:9.4.2.1] 508.2.1 Edge of Roof Clearance. Appliances shall be installed on a well-drained surface of the roof. At least 6 feet (1829 mm) of clearance shall be available between any part of the appliance and the edge of a roof or similar hazard, or rigidly fixed rails, guards, parapets, or other building structures at least 42 inches (1067 mm) in height shall be provided on the exposed side. [NFPA 54:9.4.2.2]
508.2.1.1 Guards and Rails. Guards or rails shall be required where the following exist:
(1) The clearance between the appliance and a roof edge or open end of an equipment platform is less than 6 feet (1829 mm).
(2) The open end of the equipment platform is located more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the roof, floor, or grade below.
Where guards or rails are installed, they shall be constructed so as to prevent the passage of a 21 inch (533 mm) diameter ball, resist the imposed loading conditions, and shall extend not less than 30 inches (762 mm) beyond each side of the equipment or appliance.
Exception: Guards shall not be required where a permanent fall arrest anchorage connector system in accordance with ASSP Z359.1 is installed.
508.2.2 Electrical Power. Appliances requiring an external source of electrical power shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 70. [NFPA 54:9.4.2.3]
508.2.3 Platform or Walkway. Where water stands on the roof at the appliance or in the passageways to the appliance, or where the roof is of a design having a water seal, a suitable platform, walkway, or both shall be provided above the water line. Such platform(s) or walkway(s) shall be located adjacent to the appliance and control panels so that the appliance can be safely serviced where water stands on the roof. [NFPA 54:9.4.2.4]
Get a plain-English answer with a citation back to this text.
Ask AI about this code▸Contents — California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5)
- Chapter 1 — GENERAL CODE PROVISIONS
- Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 3 — GENERAL REGULATIONS
- Chapter 4 — PLUMBING FIXTURES AND FIXTURE FITTINGS
▸Chapter 5 — WATER HEATERS
Overview- 501.1 Applicability. The regulations of this chapter shall gov…
- 501.2 California Energy Code Water Heating System
- 502.1 General. It shall be unlawful for a person to install,
- 503.1 Inspection of Chimneys or Vents. This inspection shall b…
- 503.2 Final Water Heater Inspection. This inspection
- 504.1 Location. Water heater installations in bedrooms and
- 504.2 Vent. Water heaters of other than the direct-vent type
- 504.3 Clearance. The clearance requirements for water
- 504.4 Pressure-Limiting Devices. A water heater installation s…
- 504.5 Temperature Limiting Devices. A water heater
- 504.6 Temperature, Pressure, and Vacuum Relief
- 504.7 Lead Content. Water heaters shall comply with the
- 505.1 Water Heaters. Water heaters deriving heat from
- 505.2 Safety Devices. Storage-type water heaters and hot
- 505.3 Oil-Fired Water Heaters. Oil-fired water heaters
- 505.4 Indirect-Fired Water Heaters. Indirect-fired water
- 506.1 General. Air for combustion, ventilation, and dilution o…
- 506.2 Indoor Combustion Air. The required volume of
- 506.3 Indoor Opening Size and Location. Openings
- 506.4 Outdoor Combustion Air. Outdoor combustion air
- 506.5 Combination Indoor and Outdoor Combustion
- 506.6 Engineered Installations. Engineered combustion
- 506.7 Mechanical Combustion Air Supply. Where all
- 506.8 Louvers, Grilles, and Screens. The required size
- 506.9 Combustion Air Ducts. Combustion air ducts shall
- 507.1 Dielectric Insulator. The Authority Having Jurisdiction …
- 507.2 Seismic Provisions. Water heaters shall be
- 507.3 Appliance Support. Appliances and equipment shall
- 507.4 Ground Support. A water heater supported from the
- 507.5 Drainage Pan. Where a water heater is located in an
- 507.6 Added or Converted Equipment or Appliances.
- 507.7 Type of Gas(es). The appliance shall be connected to
- 507.8 Safety Shutoff Devices for Unlisted LP-Gas
- 507.9 Use of Air or Oxygen Under Pressure. Where air
- 507.10 Protection of Gas Appliances from Fumes or
- 507.11 Process Air. In addition to air needed for combustion i…
- 507.12 Flammable Vapors. Appliances shall not be
- 507.13 Installation in Residential Garages. Appliances
- 507.14 Installation in Commercial Garages. Appliances
- 507.15 Installation in Aircraft Hangars. Heaters in aircraft h…
- 507.16 Venting of Flue Gases. Appliances shall be vented
- 507.17 Extra Device or Attachment. No device or attachment sha…
- 507.18 Addition to Existing System. When additional
- 507.19 Avoiding Strain on Gas Piping. Appliances shall
- 507.20 Gas Appliance Pressure Regulators. Where the
- 507.21 Bleed Lines for Diaphragm-Type Valves. Bleed
- 508.2 Installation of Appliances on Roofs. Appliances
- 508.3 Appliances on Roofs. Appliances located on roofs or
- 507.22 Combination of Appliances and Equipment.
- 507.23 Installation Instructions. The installer shall conform …
- 507.24 Protection of Outdoor Appliances. Appliances
- 507.25 Accessibility for Service. All appliances shall be
- 507.26 Clearance to Combustible Materials. Appliances and thei…
- 508.1 General. Appliances on roofs shall be designed or
- 508.4 Appliances in Attics and Under-Floor Spaces.
- 509.1 Listing. Type B and Type B-W gas vents shall comply
- 509.2 Connection to Venting Systems. Except as permitted in Se…
- 509.3 Minimum Safe Performance. Venting systems
- 509.4 Type of Venting System to be Used. The type of
- 509.5 Masonry, Metal, and Factory-Built Chimneys.
- 509.6 Gas Vents. The installation of gas vents shall meet
- 509.7 Single-Wall Metal Pipe. Single-wall metal pipe
- 509.9 Condensation Drain. Provision shall be made to
- 509.10 Vent Connectors for Category I Appliances.
- 509.8 Through-the-Wall Vent Termination. Throughthe-wall vent …
- 509.13 Manually Operated Dampers. A manually operated damper s…
- 509.14 Automatically Operated Vent Dampers. An
- 509.15 Obstructions. Devices that retard the flow of vent
- 510.1 Additional Requirements to Single Appliance
- 509.11 Vent Connectors for Category II, Category III,
- 509.12 Appliances Requiring Draft Hoods. Vented
- 510.2 Additional Requirements to Multiple-Appliance
- Chapter 6 — WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION
- Chapter 7 — SANITARY DRAINAGE
- Chapter 8 — INDIRECT WASTES
- Chapter 9 — VENTS
- Chapter 10 — TRAPS AND INTERCEPTORS
- Chapter 11 — STORM DRAINAGE
- Chapter 12 — FUEL GAS PIPING
- Chapter 13 — HEALTH CARE FACILITIES AND MEDICAL GAS AND MEDICA…
- Chapter 14 — FIRESTOP PROTECTION
- Chapter 15 — ALTERNATE WATER SOURCES FOR NONPOTABLE APPLICATIONS
- Chapter 16 — NONPOTABLE RAINWATER CATCHMENT SYSTEMS
- Chapter 17 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
- Appendix A — RECOMMENDED RULES FOR SIZING THE WATER SUPPLY SYS…
- Appendix B — EXPLANATORY NOTES ON COMBINATION WASTE AND VENT S…
- Appendix C — ALTERNATE PLUMBING SYSTEMS
- Appendix D — SIZING STORM WATER DRAINAGE SYSTEMS
- Appendix E — MANUFACTURED/MOBILE HOME PARKS AND RECREATIONAL V…
- Appendix F — FIREFIGHTER BREATHING AIR REPLENISHMENT SYSTEMS
- Appendix G — SIZING OF VENTING SYSTEMS
- Appendix H — PRIVATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS
- Appendix I — INSTALLATION STANDARDS
- Appendix J — COMBINATION OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR COMBUSTION AND …
- Appendix K — POTABLE RAINWATER CATCHMENT SYSTEMS
- Appendix L — SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
- Appendix M — PEAK WATER DEMAND CALCULATOR
- Appendix N — IMPACT OF WATER TEMPERATURE ON THE POTENTIAL FOR …
- Appendix O — NON-SEWERED SANITATION SYSTEMS
- Appendix P — PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Appendix Q — INDOOR HORTICULTURAL FACILITIES
- Appendix R — TINY HOUSES
- Appendix S — ONSITE STORMWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS