Skip to content
ChatProjectCodes

Earlier editions: 20222019

Chapter 5 — WATER HEATERS

509.3 Minimum Safe Performance.

California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-09-12 · California

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

Venting systems shall be designed and constructed to convey all flue and vent gases to the outdoors. [NFPA 54:12.1] 509.3.1 Appliance Draft Requirements. A venting system shall satisfy the draft requirements of the appliance in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

[NFPA 54:12.4.1]

509.3.2 Appliance Venting Requirements. Appliances required to be vented shall be connected to a venting system designed and installed in accordance with the provisions of Section 509.4 through Section 509.15.

[NFPA 54:12.4.2] 509.3.3 Mechanical Draft Systems. Mechanical draft systems shall be listed in accordance with UL 378 and installed in accordance with both the appliance and the mechanical draft system manufacturer’s installation instructions. [NFPA 54:12.4.3.1]

WATER HEATERS

509.3.3.1 Venting. Appliances requiring venting shall be permitted to be vented by means of mechanical draft systems of either forced or induced draft design. [NFPA 54:12.4.3.2]

509.3.3.2 Leakage. Forced draft systems and all portions of induced draft systems under positive pressure during operation shall be designed and installed so as to prevent leakage of flue or vent gases into a building. [NFPA 54:12.4.3.3]

509.3.3.3 Vent Connectors. Vent connectors serving appliances vented by natural draft shall not be connected into any portion of mechanical draft systems operating under positive pressure. [NFPA 54:12.4.3.4]

509.3.3.4 Operation. Where a mechanical draft system is employed, provision shall be made to prevent the flow of gas to the main burners when the draft system is not performing so as to satisfy the operating requirements of the appliance for safe performance. [NFPA 54:12.4.3.5]

509.3.4 Ventilating Hoods and Exhaust Systems. Where automatically operated appliances, other than food service appliances, are vented through a ventilating hood or exhaust system equipped with a damper or with a power means of exhaust, provisions shall be made to allow the flow of gas to the main burners only when the damper is open to a position to properly vent the appliance and when the power means of exhaust is in operation. [NFPA 54:12.4.4.1]

509.3.5 Circulating Air Ducts, Above-Ceiling Air- Handling Spaces, and Furnace Plenums. Venting systems shall not extend into or pass through any fabricated air duct or furnace plenum. [NFPA 54:12.4.5.1] 509.3.6 Above-Ceiling or Nonducted Air Han- dling System. Where a venting system passes through an above-ceiling air space or other nonducted portion of an air-handling system, it shall conform to one of the following requirements:

(1) The venting system shall be a listed special gas vent, other system serving a Category III or Category IV appliance, or other positive pressure vent, with joints sealed in accordance with the appliance or vent manufacturer’s instructions.

(2) The vent system shall be installed such that no fittings or joints between sections are installed in the above-ceiling space.

(3) The venting system shall be installed in a conduit or enclosure with joints between the interior of the enclosure and the ceiling space sealed. [NFPA 54:12.4.5.2]

Get a plain-English answer with a citation back to this text.

Ask AI about this code
Export this section
▸Contents — California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5)
California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5)
  1. Chapter 1 — GENERAL CODE PROVISIONS
  2. Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
  3. Chapter 3 — GENERAL REGULATIONS
  4. Chapter 4 — PLUMBING FIXTURES AND FIXTURE FITTINGS
  5. ▸Chapter 5 — WATER HEATERS
    Overview
    1. 501.1 Applicability.
    2. 501.2 California Energy Code Water Heating System
    3. 502.1 General.
    4. 503.1 Inspection of Chimneys or Vents.
    5. 503.2 Final Water Heater Inspection.
    6. 504.1 Location.
    7. 504.2 Vent.
    8. 504.3 Clearance.
    9. 504.4 Pressure-Limiting Devices.
    10. 504.5 Temperature Limiting Devices.
    11. 504.6 Temperature, Pressure, and Vacuum Relief Devices.
    12. 504.7 Lead Content.
    13. 505.1 Water Heaters.
    14. 505.2 Safety Devices.
    15. 505.3 Oil-Fired Water Heaters.
    16. 505.4 Indirect-Fired Water Heaters.
    17. 506.1 General.
    18. 506.2 Indoor Combustion Air.
    19. 506.3 Indoor Opening Size and Location.
    20. 506.4 Outdoor Combustion Air.
    21. 506.5 Combination Indoor and Outdoor Combustion Air.
    22. 506.6 Engineered Installations.
    23. 506.7 Mechanical Combustion Air Supply.
    24. 506.8 Louvers, Grilles, and Screens.
    25. 506.9 Combustion Air Ducts.
    26. 507.1 Dielectric Insulator.
    27. 507.2 Seismic Provisions.
    28. 507.3 Appliance Support.
    29. 507.4 Ground Support.
    30. 507.5 Drainage Pan.
    31. 507.6 Added or Converted Equipment or Appliances.
    32. 507.7 Type of Gas(es).
    33. 507.8 Safety Shutoff Devices for Unlisted LP-Gas Appliance Use…
    34. 507.9 Use of Air or Oxygen Under Pressure.
    35. 507.10 Protection of Gas Appliances from Fumes or Gases other …
    36. 507.11 Process Air.
    37. 507.12 Flammable Vapors.
    38. 507.13 Installation in Residential Garages.
    39. 507.14 Installation in Commercial Garages.
    40. 507.15 Installation in Aircraft Hangars.
    41. 507.16 Venting of Flue Gases.
    42. 507.17 Extra Device or Attachment.
    43. 507.18 Addition to Existing System.
    44. 507.19 Avoiding Strain on Gas Piping.
    45. 507.20 Gas Appliance Pressure Regulators.
    46. 507.21 Bleed Lines for Diaphragm-Type Valves.
    47. 508.2 Installation of Appliances on Roofs.
    48. 508.3 Appliances on Roofs.
    49. 507.22 Combination of Appliances and Equipment.
    50. 507.23 Installation Instructions.
    51. 507.24 Protection of Outdoor Appliances.
    52. 507.25 Accessibility for Service.
    53. 507.26 Clearance to Combustible Materials.
    54. 508.1 General.
    55. 508.4 Appliances in Attics and Under-Floor Spaces.
    56. 509.1 Listing.
    57. 509.2 Connection to Venting Systems.
    58. 509.3 Minimum Safe Performance.
    59. 509.4 Type of Venting System to be Used.
    60. 509.5 Masonry, Metal, and Factory-Built Chimneys.
    61. 509.6 Gas Vents.
    62. 509.7 Single-Wall Metal Pipe.
    63. 509.9 Condensation Drain.
    64. 509.10 Vent Connectors for Category I Appliances.
    65. 509.8 Through-the-Wall Vent Termination.
    66. 509.13 Manually Operated Dampers.
    67. 509.14 Automatically Operated Vent Dampers.
    68. 509.15 Obstructions.
    69. 510.1 Additional Requirements to Single Appliance Vent.
    70. 509.11 Vent Connectors for Category II, Category III, and Cate…
    71. 509.12 Appliances Requiring Draft Hoods.
    72. 510.2 Additional Requirements to Multiple-Appliance Vent.
  6. Chapter 6 — WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION
  7. Chapter 7 — SANITARY DRAINAGE
  8. Chapter 8 — INDIRECT WASTES
  9. Chapter 9 — VENTS
  10. Chapter 10 — TRAPS AND INTERCEPTORS
  11. Chapter 11 — STORM DRAINAGE
  12. Chapter 12 — FUEL GAS PIPING
  13. Chapter 13 — HEALTH CARE FACILITIES AND MEDICAL GAS AND MEDICA…
  14. Chapter 14 — FIRESTOP PROTECTION
  15. Chapter 15 — ALTERNATE WATER SOURCES FOR NONPOTABLE APPLICATIONS
  16. Chapter 16 — NONPOTABLE RAINWATER CATCHMENT SYSTEMS
  17. Chapter 17 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
  18. Appendix A — RECOMMENDED RULES FOR SIZING THE WATER SUPPLY SYS…
  19. Appendix B — EXPLANATORY NOTES ON COMBINATION WASTE AND VENT S…
  20. Appendix C — ALTERNATE PLUMBING SYSTEMS
  21. Appendix D — SIZING STORM WATER DRAINAGE SYSTEMS
  22. Appendix E — MANUFACTURED/MOBILE HOME PARKS AND RECREATIONAL V…
  23. Appendix F — FIREFIGHTER BREATHING AIR REPLENISHMENT SYSTEMS
  24. Appendix G — SIZING OF VENTING SYSTEMS
  25. Appendix H — PRIVATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS
  26. Appendix I — INSTALLATION STANDARDS
  27. Appendix J — COMBINATION OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR COMBUSTION AND …
  28. Appendix K — POTABLE RAINWATER CATCHMENT SYSTEMS
  29. Appendix L — SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
  30. Appendix M — PEAK WATER DEMAND CALCULATOR
  31. Appendix N — IMPACT OF WATER TEMPERATURE ON THE POTENTIAL FOR …
  32. Appendix O — NON-SEWERED SANITATION SYSTEMS
  33. Appendix P — PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
  34. Appendix Q — INDOOR HORTICULTURAL FACILITIES
  35. Appendix R — TINY HOUSES
  36. Appendix S — ONSITE STORMWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS

GoCodebook provides public access, search, citation, multilingual explanation, and practical interpretation of legally adopted building regulations. It is not a substitute for the official ICC or California code publications.