Can a water heater be enclosed in a closet?
Water heaters can be installed in bedroom or bathroom closets, if necessary or preferred, but only if they’re an electric, direct vent or sealed combustion chamber unit. Other water heaters that use fuel combustion are not permitted to be installed in bedrooms, bathrooms or closets that open into these rooms.
What kind of drywall do you use in a furnace room?
Fire Resistant: Fire resistant drywall is made with glass fibers in an extra-thick design. This makes them ideal for use in utility rooms, garages and areas near a furnace or wood stove.
How do you enclose a hot water heater?
Curtains. Perhaps the simplest way to hide your furnace and water heater is to add a sliding curtain as a divider. You will need to measure the wall height to determine proper curtain length, as well as the needed width. Be sure to give a few inches of clearance so the curtain doesn’t touch your heater.
What thickness drywall do I need?
1/2-inch drywall is the most versatile board and the most common thickness for the 16-inch on-center interior walls in most homes. It offers a good balance between strength and weight. 5/8-inch drywall is a heavier product that resists sagging in ceilings and in 24-inch on-center interior walls.
Does a water heater closet need to be vented?
When a residential, gas fired water heater is installed in a closet, the heater combustion gases must be vented to the outside of the residence and the fresh air needed for combustion must be drawn in from outside the home using double wall metal pipe; single wall pipe is not permitted.
What size should a water heater closet be?
For a gas-powered water tank, the clearance space it will need is 4 inches or 10.16 centimeters on the front, 6” from the vent pipe and at least 2 inches or 5 centimeters of space on the sides and the back. The top of the draft hood should have 12” of clearance.
How do I know if my drywall is fire rated?
Type X drywall has special core additives that allow it to be used in fire rated designs and usually comes in 5/8” thickness. Type X drywall products will have a UL/ULC Marking printed on the back of each board identifying it as a fire-resistance rated board.
Is purple drywall fire rated?
No. While all drywall is naturally fire-resistant, PURPLE drywall is unique because it also resists moisture, mold and mildew. Some PURPLE drywall products also stand up to scratches, scuffs, dents and sound.
What is fire rated drywall?
Fire-rated drywall is drywall that is thicker than standard sheets and which sometimes comes with extra additives to the gypsum core such as fiberglass. The purpose of fire-rated drywall is to slow the progress of fire to give inhabitants enough time to escape.
What is the most common drywall thickness?
1/2-Inch-
1/2-Inch-Thick Drywall
Half-inch drywall panels are the standard thickness for interior walls, as well as ceilings.
How thick should bathroom drywall be?
1/2 inch
The most common thicknesses for general application are 3/8 inch and 1/2 inch. However, several decades ago, 1/2 inch became the industry standard. Quarter-inch drywall is often used to cover damaged plaster walls and also for curved areas because it bends easier than thicker drywall.
What is the difference between Sheetrock and drywall?
Sheetrock is a brand of drywall that is a registered trademark of the U.S. Gypsum Company. With the exception of a couple of chemicals that allow the Sheetrock formula to be patented, there is practically no difference between Sheetrock and other drywall.
How much space should be between water heater and wall?
Minimum clearances between the water heater and combustible and noncombustible construction are 0” at the sides and rear, 4” at the front, and 6” from the vent pipe.
What is code for venting a hot water heater?
The water heater must be vented in accordance with the section “Venting of Equipment” of the latest edition of the National Fuel Gas Code: ANSI Z223. 1/NFPA 54 in the United States and/or Section 7 of the CAN/CSA B149. 1 Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code in Canada, as well as applicable local building codes.
Does gas water heater need louvered door?
If the water heater needs more air than is available in the room, you will need vents or a louvered door connected to another part of the house or the outdoors. In most cases, you will need two vents, one located within 12 inches of the ceiling and another within 12 inches of the floor.
Can you put a gas water heater in a closet?
Yes, a gas water heater can be installed in a closet as long as the closet is not used for storage. The International Residential Code (IRC) specifically bans a storage closet as a location for a gas water heater.
How do you strap a water heater in a closet?
Wrap the heavy-gauge metal strapping 1-1/2 times around the tank. Start by placing the strapping at the back of the tank. Bring it to the front and then take it back to the wall. Secure this strapping to the wall studs or the wood block using several 1/4-inch x 3-inch or longer lag screws with oversized washers.
Can a gas hot water heater be enclosed?
Hot water heaters — both gas and electric — can be enclosed. However, insulation blankets are no longer recommended for hot water heaters. Each state has codes that dictate hot water heater installation. Most defer to manufacturer recommendations when it comes to space allowance for an enclosed water heater.
Can I build a wall around my hot water heater?
You can enclose the water heater by building a wall around it and constructing a utility closet.
How do I hide my gas hot water heater?
Ideas for Hiding a Hot Water Heater
- Add a Closet. If you have the space, you can hire a contractor to install drywall and a door. …
- Create a Hot Water Cover or Cabinet. Creating a cabinet is a great option if you want something less permanent than a closet. …
- Hang Curtains. …
- Use a Room Divider or Screen.
