Water heater in bathroom | Int'l Plumbing, Mech'l & Fuel Gas Codes | Forum

Originally posted by jim baird:
So, an electric water heater can be put in a bathroom, verdad?

Yes, an electric water heater can be put in a bathroom if is not a Fuel-fired appliance.

From the 2003 IRC:
"M2005.2 Prohibited locations.
Fuel-fired water heaters shall not be installed in a room used as a storage closet. Water heaters located in a bedroom or bathroom shall be installed in a sealed enclosure so that combustion air will not be taken from the living space. Direct-vent water heaters are not required to be installed within an enclosure."

From the 2003 IMC:
"303.3 Prohibited locations.
Fuel-fired appliances shall not be located in, or obtain combustion air from, any of the following rooms or spaces:
1. Sleeping rooms.
2. Bathrooms.
3. Toilet rooms.
4. Storage closets.
5. Surgical rooms.
Exception: This section shall not apply to the following appliances:
1. Direct-vent appliances that obtain all combustion air directly from the outdoors.
2. Solid fuel-fired appliances, provided that the room is not a confined space and the building is not of unusually tight construction.
3. Appliances installed in a dedicated enclosure in which all combustion air is taken directly from the outdoors, in accordance with Section 703. Access to such enclosure shall be through a solid door, weather-stripped in accordance with the exterior door air leakage requirements of the International Energy Conservation Code and equipped with an approved self-closing device."

The concern isn''t the water heater itself, but the source for combustion and ventilation air.

The IPC commentary explains: ... In small rooms such as bedrooms and bathrooms, the doors are typically closed when occupied.
The potential threats include oxygen depletion, elevated levels of CO and other combustion gases.