How far off the floor does a water heater in a garage have to be?

Question

How far off the floor does a water heater in a garage have to be?

Answer 1

The purpose of raising the water heater(gas) is not because of rust out.

In a garage the gas fumes from cars hang low to the ground and the flame from a gas water heater could ignite them.

Here in the New Orleans area the code requires the water heater in a garage to be at least 18" above the floor. In my opinion I would never put a gas water heater in a garage, maybe an electric one.

One instant was a father asked his 9 yr. old son to go get the gas can out of the garage so as to fill the lawn mower. The child put the gas can on his little wagon and started out of the garage, the can overturned, spilled and the flame from the water heater ignited the fuel and the boy was burned and died. True story and a friend of mine.

Answer 2

USA   The International Residential Code and Mechanical Code and Fuel Gas Code require the open flame to be minimum 18 inches above a garage floor.  If you have a fuel-fired water heater (gas or oil) you will need to elevate it so the flame is at least that high.  HOWEVER, your local municipality is allowed to be more strict than the IRC, IMC and IFC and might not allow fuel fired appliaces in the garage at all.  Check with your local code enforcement department.

Answer 3

There iis no set height. If you have a water problem in the basenet then install it on cinder blocks to keep it dry. If you dont have water problems then usually a paver type brick will do the trick. This keeps the bottom of the heater from rusting out from the contact to the floor. I have also used pressure treated 4x4s but prefer the paving stones.  

Answer 4

Hubby is master plumber and he says 12"

Answer 5

The code in my State is 18 Inches.

The possibility of open gas containers or gasoline fumes reaching the pilot light or open flame in the heater is the reason for the height.

It is also good to be up off a floor that might have a possibility of flooding over the burner section of your heater.

Answer 6

nc code is 18 inches..and setting on a non combustible material...we build ours and put left over ceramic tile on top of the stand..

lic. gen. contractor

Answer 7

code requires a gas water heater to be off of the floor 18 inches in a garage , electric water heater has no height requirement , i am sure  manufaturers recommendations will determine this as well .page 7 of the document below is a good example .

Answer 8

depends on the area you are in.  Here in west central Florida some counties require 8",,, in central VA just a noncorrosive spill pad is required.  

A call to a local plumber should answer that pretty quick as the answer varies widely by the area.

Answer 9

all the above is true and in addition some municipalities you are required to be so many feet above MHW (mean high water) in coastal areas

Answer 10

It has to be above the area were gas fumes settle, so that is how they come up with the 18" code requirement.