Expert: Keith Fuller - 8/18/2011

Question
What is the code for having a gas water heater in a garage. Currently,have one in the garage; it is enclosed by three walls and a louvered door. It has been there as long as we have been in the house(5 yrs).

Answer
The code that governs the building will be that which was in effect at the time of construction. Your municipal building official should be able to provide that information to you.  The PA Uniform Construction Code (which refers to the ICC Codes) now requires that a flame producing device be elevated when in a garage to prevent gasoline vapors(which are heavier than air) from being ignited by the device. The installation you indicate seems to be not in the garage, but in an adjacent closet that is provided ventilation air for combustion. I obviously don't know all the details of the installation, but the thing to do is maintain a sealed door to the garage while obtaining the combustion air for the ignition from an area other than the garage. In my fire service and code related experience, I have not seen and incident where an elevated unit has ignited gasoline fumes, but if it were my house, it's not a chance I'd want to take.  Anything you can do to separate the possibility of gasoline fumes from reaching any ignition source is worth doing, whether it's a code required item of not.

In your case, the Certified Building Official of your municipality is the go-to person to address your concerns.