missylrn Posted February 23, 2010 Report Share Posted February 23, 2010 It has been brought to our attention that our furnace was not installed to code (by the previous owner). It apparently needs to be 18" off the ground in our garage. Should this have been brought to our attention during our home inspection by our inspection engineer? I realize they can't know every code but from what I hear this is pretty basic common sence and is an "unsafe" situation. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Moore Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 The source of ignition needs to be 18" off the ground, not necessarily the whole furnace. It depends on the configuration and type of furnace. The manual should have that info. We might be able to help more with a photo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry Simon Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 It has been brought to our attention that our furnace was not installed to code (by the previous owner). It apparently needs to be 18" off the ground in our garage. Should this have been brought to our attention during our home inspection by our inspection engineer? I realize they can't know every code but from what I hear this is pretty basic common sence and is an "unsafe" situation. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. The furnace ignition source is what you should be concerned with. How high above the floor is that? Regardless of whether or not this should have been reported on (what did your inspector say to that?), if you bring in a plumber, the plumber will tell you something that was *missed* with the plumbing. Same for an electrician. Same for a roofer. I guarantee that. Who's tag-line is "Hon, your inspector shoulda seen that." ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben H Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 Like the others have said; The furnace ignition source is what should be measured. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terence McCann Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 It has been brought to our attention that our furnace was not installed to code (by the previous owner). It apparently needs to be 18" off the ground in our garage. Should this have been brought to our attention during our home inspection by our inspection engineer? Did the previous owner bring this to your attention before or after the home was sold? As Richard stated the "flame" -source of ignition- needs to be 18" above the garage floor. Someone may be thinking that the whole furnace needs to be 18" above the floor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missylrn Posted February 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 Some background on the situation: We bought the house 1.5 years ago. A few months ago we received a notice for an open permit. The permit was opened in 2002 by the previous owner for some plumbing and furnace work. In order to close this old permit (which was NOT disclosed by the previous owner) we had to have the town out to inspect. They did and all of the work had been done but the only issue was that the furnace (ignition) was not the proper height (only 6 inches off the ground and not the 18 inches it's supposed to be). I have not had any out yet to give estimate so no one gave me the tag line "the inspector should have caught it" I realize the majority of the issue lies with the owner not disclosing but what did I pay for with the inspection. While this is not my background I don't need someone to tell me "it seems to be working". I think I paid for the inspector to tell me if there were any MAJOR UNSAFE issues with the house. IE - the chance of blowing up my home every time we start our cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark P Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 If in fact there is an open ignition source 6 inches off the garage floor, then yes the inspector missed something he/she should not have. I cannot not ever remember seeing a furnace with a set up as you describe, so a picture would be interesting and informative. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Maxwell Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 ......especially if this is a furnace from 2002. All modern gas fired furnaces that I have seen have the blower compartment at the base and then the burner on top of that which usually puts it at or above the 18". I too would like to see a photo of this furnace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plummen Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 are they talking about the control box for the ignition being 6" of the ground or the actual burners? id be more concerned about where the burners are,ive never seen one with burners 6" from bottem of cabinet. got any pictures? [:-magnify Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missylrn Posted February 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 It is a "New Yorker" Classic CG - A Series Gas Boiler. The unit sits 1-2 inches off of the ground. The gas line going into the unit is about 6 inches off of the ground. My garage is too dark to take a picture tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Lamb Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 You can decide for yourself if your inspector missed something obvious and important. The IRC defines "Ignition Source" as, "a flame, spark or hot surface capable of igniting flammable vapors or fumes." so it's not just the burners that are considered. So if and when you have the boiler moved, I'd recommend moving the whole unit 18" above the floor if practical. I'm pretty sure this got debated in another thread. It also needs to be protected from vehicle impact if a car or whatever can hit it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kibbel Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 Furnace - heats air Boiler - heats water Now it's clear that the burners are within 18" of the floor. See if the installer put his company's sticker on the boiler jacket. New Yorker installation instructions specifically state not to install their boilers where gasoline and any other flammable vapors or liquids are used/stored. Who puts boilers in garages in North Jersey? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 Missylrn, Call me at 973-252-1160; I'm in Succasunna. I'll be more than happy to talk to you about this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missylrn Posted February 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 Thanks for the clarification. Our home inspector's report calls it a "furnace". So we assumed it was a furnace. I believe the previous homeowner (handyman) installed it. The garage is heated - maybe that's why it's there? Thanks for the help. We've contacted a licensed plumber who will fix the problem. I just wish the inspector brought this unsafe situation to our attention before we bought the house and we would have had the previous owner fix it. That's what I paid him for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Fabry Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 "That's what I paid him for." Just curious... how much is a home inspection in West Milford? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 Thanks for the clarification. Our home inspector's report calls it a "furnace". . . . Good grief! - Jim Katen, Oregon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terence McCann Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 A picture or two would still be nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 Yeah, I've seen lots of boilers with the burners within six inches of the floor. He screwed up....big time. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren Posted February 25, 2010 Report Share Posted February 25, 2010 Check out my blog on Active rain http://activerain.com/blogsview/1414206 ... in-garages Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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