509.5 Masonry, Metal, and Factory-Built Chimneys.
California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5) · 2022 edition · updated 2026-09-10 · California
Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.
Chimneys shall be installed in accordance with Section 509.5.1 through Section 509.5.3. 509.5.1 Factory-Built Chimneys. Factory-built chimneys shall be listed in accordance with UL 103, UL 959, or UL 2561. Factory-built chimneys shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Factory-built chimneys used to vent appliances that operate at positive vent pressure shall be listed for such application. [NFPA 54:12.6.1.1]
509.5.1.1 Decorative Shrouds. Decorative shrouds addressed in Section 509.5.4.3 shall comply with UL 103 for factory -built residential chimneys. 509.5.2 Metal Chimneys. Metal chimneys shall be built and installed in accordance with NFPA 211. [NFPA 54:12.6.1.2] 509.5.3 Masonry Chimneys. Masonry chimneys shall be built and installed in accordance with NFPA 211 and lined with one of the following: (1) Approved clay flue lining (2) A chimney lining system listed and labeled in accor dance with UL 1777 (3) Other approved material that resists corrosion, ero sion, softening, or cracking from vent gases at temperatures up to 1800°F (982°C) Exception: Masonry chimney flues lined with a chimney lining system specifically listed for use with listed appliances with draft hoods, Category I appliances, and other appliances listed for use with Type B vents shall be permitted. The liner shall be installed in accordance with the liner manufacturer’s installation instructions. A permanent identifying label shall be attached at the point where the connection is to be made to the liner. The label shall read “This chimney liner is for appliances that burn gas only. Do not connect to solid or liquid fuel-burning appliances or incinerators.” [NFPA 54:12.6.1.3] 509.5.4 Termination. A chimney for residential-type or low-heat appliances shall extend at least 3 feet (914 mm) above the highest point where it passes through a roof of a building and at least 2 feet (610 mm) higher than any portion of a building within a horizontal distance of 10 feet (3048 mm). [NFPA 54:12.6.2.1] (See Figure 509.5.4)
509.5.4.1 Medium-Heat Gas Appliances. A chimney for medium-heat appliances shall extend at least 10 feet (3048 mm) higher than any portion of any building within 25 feet (7620 mm). [NFPA 54:12.6.2.2] 509.5.4.2 Chimney Height. A chimney shall extend at least 5 feet (1524 mm) above the highest connected appliance draft hood outlet or flue collar.
[NFPA 54:12.6.2.3] 509.5.4.3 Decorative Shrouds. Decorative shrouds shall not be installed at the termination of factory-built chimneys except where such shrouds
WATER HEATERS
are listed and labeled for use with the specific factory-built chimney system and are installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions. [NFPA 54:12.6.2.4] 509.5.5 Size of Chimneys. The effective area of a chimney venting system serving listed appliances with draft hoods, Category I appliances, and other appliances listed for use with Type B vents shall be in accordance with one of the following methods: (1) Those listed in Section 510.0. (2) For sizing an individual chimney venting system for
a single appliance with a draft hood, the effective areas of the vent connector and chimney flue shall be not less than the area of the appliance flue collar or draft hood outlet or greater than seven times the draft hood outlet area. (3) For sizing a chimney venting system connected to
two appliances with draft hoods, the effective area of the chimney flue shall be not less than the area of the larger draft hood outlet plus 50 percent of the area of the smaller draft hood outlet or greater than seven times the smaller draft hood outlet area. (4) Chimney venting systems using mechanical draft
shall be sized in accordance with approved engineering methods. (5) Other approved engineering methods. [NFPA
54:12.6.3.1] 509.5.6 Inspection of Chimneys. Before replacing an existing appliance or connecting a vent connector to a chimney, the chimney passageway shall be examined to ascertain that it is clear and free of obstructions and shall be cleaned if previously used for venting solid or liquid fuel-burning appliances or fireplaces. [NFPA 54:12.6.4.1]
509.5.6.1 Standard. Chimneys shall be lined in accordance with NFPA 211. Exception: Existing chimneys shall be permitted to have their use continued when an appliance is replaced by an appliance of similar type, input rating, and efficiency, where the chimney complies with Section 509.5.6 through Section 509.5.6.3 and the sizing of the chimney is in accordance with Section 509.5.5. [NFPA 54:12.6.4.2] 509.5.6.2 Cleanouts. Cleanouts shall be examined and where they do not remain tightly closed when not in use they shall be repaired or replaced.
[NFPA 54:12.6.4.3] 509.5.6.3 Existing Chimney. When inspection reveals that an existing chimney is not safe for the intended application, it shall be repaired, rebuilt, lined, relined, or replaced with a vent or chimney to conform to NFPA 211 and shall be suitable for the appliances to be attached. [NFPA 54:12.6.4.4]
509.5.7 Chimney Serving Appliances Burning Other Fuels. An appliance shall not be connected to a chimney flue serving a separate appliance designed to burn solid fuel. [NFPA 54:12.6.5.1]
2022 CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE 93
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FIGURE 509.5.4 TYPICAL TERMINATION LOCATIONS FOR CHIMNEYS AND SINGLE-WALL METAL PIPES SERVING RESIDENTIAL-TYPE
AND LOW-HEAT APPLIANCE
[NFPA: 54: FIGURE A.12.6.2.1]
509.5.7.1 Gas and Liquid Fuel-Burning Appli- ances. Where one chimney serves gas appliances and liquid fuel-burning appliances, the appliances shall be connected through separate openings or connected through a single opening where joined by a suitable fitting located as close as practical to the chimney. Where two or more openings are provided into one chimney flue, they shall be at different levels. Where the gas appliance is automatically controlled, it shall be equipped with a safety shutoff device. [NFPA 54:12.6.5.2]
509.5.7.2 Gas and Solid Fuel-Burning Appli- ances. A listed combination gas- and solid-fuelburning appliance connected to a single chimney flue shall be equipped with a manual reset device to shut off gas to the main burner in the event of sustained backdraft or flue gas spillage. The chimney flue shall be sized to properly vent the appliance.
[NFPA 54:12.6.5.3]
509.5.7.3 Combination Gas- and Oil-Burning Appliances. A single chimney flue serving a listed combination gas- and oil-burning appliance shall be sized in accordance with the appliance manufacturer’s instructions. [NFPA 54:12.6.5.4] 509.5.8 Support of Chimneys. All portions of chimneys shall be supported for the design and weight of the materials employed. Listed factory-built chimneys shall be supported and spaced in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions. [NFPA 54:12.6.6] 509.5.9 Cleanouts. Where a chimney that formerly carried flue products from liquid or solid fuel-burning appliances is used with an appliance using fuel gas, an accessible cleanout shall be provided. The cleanout shall have a tightfitting cover and be installed so its upper edge is at least 6 inches (152 mm) below the lower edge of the lowest chimney inlet opening. [NFPA 54:12.6.7] 509.5.10 Space Surrounding Lining or Vent. The remaining space surrounding a chimney liner, gas vent, special gas vent, or plastic piping installed within a masonry chimney shall not be used to vent another appliance. Exception: The insertion of another liner or vent within the chimney as provided in this code and the liner or vent manufacturer’s instructions. [NFPA 54:12.6.8.1]
509.5.10.1 Combustion Air. The remaining space surrounding a chimney liner, gas vent, special gas vent, or plastic piping installed within a masonry, metal, or factory-built chimney flue shall not be used to supply combustion air. Exception: Direct-vent appliances designed for installation in a solid fuel-burning fireplace where installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions. [NFPA 54:12.6.8.2]
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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
- 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
- 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
- 506.1 General. Air for combustion, ventilation, and dilution of
- 506.2 Indoor Combustion Air. The required volume of
- 505.4 Indirect-Fired Water Heaters. Indirect-fired water
- 506.4 Outdoor Combustion Air. Outdoor combustion air
- 506.3 Indoor Opening Size and Location. Openings
- 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 anchored
- 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 Types of Gases. 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 Adequate Capacity of Piping. When additional
- 507.19 Avoiding Strain on Gas Piping. Appliances shall
- 507.20 Gas Appliance Pressure Regulators. Where the
- 507.21 Venting of Gas Appliance Pressure Regula-
- 507.22 Bleed Lines for Diaphragm-Type Valves. Bleed
- 507.23 Combination of Appliances and Equipment.
- 507.24 Installation Instructions. The installing agency
- 507.25 Protection of Outdoor Appliances. Appliances
- 507.26 Accessibility for Service. All appliances shall be
- 507.27 Clearance to Combustible Materials. Appliances and thei…
- 508.1 General. Appliances on roofs shall be designed or
- 508.2 Installation of Appliances on Roofs. Appliances
- 508.3 Appliances on Roofs. Appliances located on roofs 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 shall
- 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 shall
- 509.8 Through-the-Wall Vent Termination. A mechanical draft ve…
- 509.9 Condensation Drain. Provision shall be made to
- 509.10 Vent Connectors for Category I Appliances.
- 509.11 Vent Connectors for Category II, Category III,
- 509.12 Draft Hoods and Draft Controls. Vented appliances shall…
- 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 Single Appliance Vent Table 510.1.2(1) through
- 510.2 Multiple Appliance Vent Table 510.2(1) through
- 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 …