WAC 51-56-0500   Chapter 5 -- Water heaters.  


501.0 General. The regulations of this chapter shall govern the construction, location, and installation of fuel burning and other water heaters heating potable water. The minimum capacity for water heaters shall be in accordance with the first hour rating listed in Table 5-1. See the Mechanical Code for combustion air and installation of all vents and their connectors. All design, construction, and workmanship shall be in conformity with accepted engineering practices, manufacturer's installation instructions, and applicable standards and shall be of such character as to secure the results sought to be obtained by this Code. No water heater shall be hereinafter installed which does not comply in all respects with the type and model of each size thereof approved by the authority having jurisdiction. A list of accepted gas equipment standards is included in Table 14-1.


TABLE 5-11,3
Number of Bathrooms 1 to 1.5 2 to 2.5 3 to 3.5
Number of Bedrooms 1 2 3 2 3 4 5 3 4 5 6
First Hour Rating2, Gallons 42 54 54 54 67 67 80 67 80 80 80


Notes: 1The first hour rating is found on the "Energy Guide" label.
2Nonstorage and solar water heaters shall be sized to meet the appropriate first hour rating as shown in the table.
3For replacement water heaters, see Section 101.4.1.1.1.

502.2 Chimney – Delete definition.


502.3 Chimney, Factory-Built – Delete definition.


502.4 Chimney, Masonry – Delete definition.


502.5 Chimney, Metal – Delete definition.


502.7 Direct Vent Appliance – Delete definition.


502.8 Flue Collar – Delete definition.


502.9 Gas Vent, Type B – Delete definition.


502.10 Gas Vent, Type L – Delete definition.


502.12 Vent – Delete definition.


502.13 Vent Connector – Delete definition.


502.14 Venting System – Delete definition.


504.1 Inspection of Chimneys or Vents. Delete paragraph.


505.1 Location. Water heater installation in bedrooms and bathrooms shall comply with one of the following:

     (1) Fuel-burning water heaters may be installed in a closet located in the bedroom or bathroom provided the closet is equipped with a listed, gasketed door assembly and a listed self-closing device. The self-closing door assembly shall meet the requirements of Section 505.1.1. The door assembly shall be installed with a threshold and bottom door seal and shall meet the requirements of Section 505.1.2. All combustion air for such installations shall be obtained from the outdoors in accordance with the International Mechanical Code. The closet shall be for the exclusive use of the water heater.

     (2) Water heater shall be of the direct vent type.


506.2 All storage-type water heaters deriving heat from fuels or types of energy other than gas, shall be provided with, in addition to the primary temperature controls, an over-temperature safety protection device constructed, listed, and installed in accordance with nationally recognized applicable standards for such devices and a combination temperature and pressure relief valve.


507.0 Combustion Air. For issues relating to combustion air, see the Mechanical Code.


Sections 507.1 through 507.10 are not adopted.


Sections 508.6 through 508.9 are not adopted.


508.12 Delete entire section.


508.18 Venting of Flue Gases - Delete entire section.


Sections 508.20 through 508.24.5 are not adopted.


510.0 Venting of Equipment. Delete entire section.


511.0 Sizing of Category I Venting Systems. Delete entire section.


512.0 Direct Vent Equipment. Delete entire section.


Chapter 5, Part II is not adopted.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.190, 19.27.020 and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. 07-01-094, § 51-56-0500, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. 04-01-110, § 51-56-0500, filed 12/17/03, effective 7/1/04; 02-01-114, § 51-56-0500, filed 12/18/01, effective 7/1/02.]