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Earlier editions: 20222019

Chapter 5 — WATER HEATERS

509.4 Type of Venting System to be Used.

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.

The type of venting system to be used shall be in accordance with Table 509.4. [NFPA 54:12.5.1]

509.4.1 Plastic Piping. Where plastic piping is used to vent an appliance, the appliance shall be listed for use with such venting materials and the appliance manufac

turer’s installation instructions shall identify the specific plastic piping material. The plastic pipe venting materials shall be labeled in accordance with the product standards specified by the appliance manufacturer or shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 1738. [NFPA 54:12.5.2]

TABLE 509.4

TYPE OF VENTING SYSTEM TO BE USED {NFPA 54: TABLE 12.5.1}

APPLIANCES TYPE OF VENTING
SYSTEM		 LOCATION OF
REQUIREMENTS








Listed Category I
appliances

Listed appliances
equipped with draft
hood

Appliances listed for
use with Type B gas
vent		 Type B gas vent Section 509.6








Listed Category I
appliances

Listed appliances
equipped with draft
hood

Appliances listed for
use with Type B gas
vent		 Chimney Section 509.5








Listed Category I
appliances

Listed appliances
equipped with draft
hood

Appliances listed for
use with Type B gas
vent		 Single-wall metal
pipe		 Section 509.7








Listed Category I
appliances

Listed appliances
equipped with draft
hood

Appliances listed for
use with Type B gas
vent		 Listed chimney lin-
ing system for gas
venting		 Section 509.5.3








Listed Category I
appliances

Listed appliances
equipped with draft
hood

Appliances listed for
use with Type B gas
vent		 Special gas vent
listed for these
appliances		 Section 509.4.3


Listed vented wall fur-
naces		 Type B-W gas vent Section 509.6



Category II, Category
III, and Category IV
appliances		 As specified or
furnished by
manufacturers of
listed appliances		 Section 509.4.1
and Section
509.4.3











Appliances that can be
converted to use solid
fuel

Unlisted combination
gas- and oil-burning
appliances

Combination gas- and
solid fuel-burning
appliances

Appliances listed for
use with chimneys only

Unlisted appliances		 Chimney Section 509.5


Listed combination
gas- and oil-burning
appliances		 Type L vent Section 509.6


Listed combination
gas- and oil-burning
appliances		 Chimney Section 509.5


Decorative appliance in
vented fireplace		 Chimney UMC Section
911.2

Gas-fired toilets		 Single-wall metal
pipe		 Section 509.7

Direct-vent appliances		 — Section 509.2.6

Appliances with
integral vents		 — Section 509.2.7

509.4.2 Plastic Vent Joints. Plastic pipe and fittings used to vent appliances shall be installed in accordance with the appliance manufacturer’s installation instructions. Plastic pipe venting materials listed and labeled in accordance with UL 1738 shall be installed in accor dance with the vent manufacturer’s installation instruc

TABLE 509.4

TYPE OF VENTING SYSTEM TO BE USED {NFPA 54: TABLE 12.5.1}

92 2025 CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE

WATER HEATERS

tions. Where primer is required, it shall be of a contrasting color. [NFPA 54:12.5.3] 509.4.3 Special Gas Vents. Special gas vents shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 1738 and installed in accordance with the special gas vent manufacturer’s installation instructions. [NFPA 54:12.5.4]

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▸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

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