I converted my garage into a bedroom. I enclosed the gas hot water heater in a utility closet. It does have

Question

flue gas vent that goes through the roof. I put two vents in the utility closet one below the burner and the other towards the top of the closet door. The gas hot water heater is away from an outside wall... So are the two vents i put in the closet (vent in room)and the flue gas vent that goes to the roof enough...? Or do is this dangerous for the person living is that room? the room is 3000 cubic feet and the water heater has 40,000 btus.

Answer 1

   There are two dangers here. Is the flue pipe metalbestas or lined to prevent  a fire from heat conduction at ceiling and roof penetrations?  The door should be steel and louvered at the bottom.  This louvered door should have a fire rating and sized to provide combustible air to water heater burner. The second danger is carbon monoxide. Check draft at draft diverter with a match or smoke candle for proper ventilation. If it doesn't draft properly shut off the water heater and call a licenced heating contractor! I also would install a carbon monoxide/fire detector both in the water heater room and the adjoining room. If you have any further questions consult with your local building department or licenced heating contractor. This project is safe if done properly with the correct materials.

Answer 2

Yes. It is very dangerous. Do not use this room for sleeping . The water heater you described needs a source of oxygen for the flame to heat the water and you are not providing it in the correct way. You either need to add a source of outside air with venting or change the water heater to a 'direct vent' style. Talking to your local building officials will inform you tremendously. They are there to help you. It is inferred that you did not get a permit to do this but you can talk in the most general terms and get your information. Please hear this and do not allow anyone to sleep there. You have created a very dangerous situation. Do not delay.

Answer 3

I think you should ask an expert about this.  If the heater is room sealed it could be OK but to be on the safe side you need expert advice.  The downside is it could be disastrous if you have made an error.  Good luck.

Answer 4

hi there- becuase this is a bedroom there are things you need to due to the closet such as weather strip the door and self closing hinges as such. national fuel gas code section 9.28.1 --- also for your venting if you punched through the wall and didnt go to a chimney i hope you did this with bvent and not smoke pipe?? national fuel gas code section 10.6.1 will walk you through.-----also for your venting and intake of your combstion air refer to section 8.2. this will tell you that the reason for your vents is to bring in air and that will be 8.3.2.3. one opening will be cut 12 inches on top and one will be cut 12 inches on bottom. i went into detail and gave you the specific section from memory. these are not well maybe's and i think's and not here go to this website. you are dealing with a SERIOUS ISSUE THAT WHEN NOT FOLLOWED RIGHT WILL KILL YOU..... my advice to you is dont cut any corners. do it the right way. its for your safety and any one else who is going to be in there