Page 178 - 2018_IFGC

APPENDIX D (IFGS)

RECOMMENDED PROCEDURE FOR SAFETY
INSPECTION OF AN EXISTING APPLIANCE INSTALLATION

This appendix is not a part of the requirements of this code and is included for informational purposes only.
User note:
About this appendix: Appendix D provides procedures for testing and inspecting existing gas appliance installations for safe operation.

D.1 General. The following procedure is intended as a guide b. LEL: Numeric display with a percent lower
to aid in determining that an appliance is properly installed explosive limit (% LEL) scale from 0 percent to
and is in a safe condition for continued use. Where a gas sup- 100 percent in 1 percent increments.
plier performs an inspection, their written procedures should c. Audio: An audio sound feature to locate leaks.
be followed.
(2) CO Detector. The CO detector should be capable of
D.1.1 Application. This procedure is intended for existing the following functions and have a numeric display
residential installations of a furnace, boiler, room heater, scale as follows:
water heater, cooking appliance, fireplace appliance and a. PPM: For measuring ambient room and
clothes dryer. This procedure should be performed prior to appliance emissions a display scale in parts per
any attempt to modify the appliance installation or building million (ppm) from 0 to 1,000 ppm in 1 ppm
envelope. increments.
D.1.2 Weatherization programs. Before a building enve- b. Alarm: A sound alarm function where hazardous
lope is to be modified as part of a weatherization program, the levels of ambient CO is found (see D.2 for alarm
existing appliance installation should be inspected in accor- levels)
dance with these procedures. After all unsafe conditions are
repaired, and immediately after the weatherization is com- c. Air Free: Capable of converting CO measurements
to an air free level in ppm. Where a CO detector is
plete, the appliance inspections in D.5.2 are to be repeated.
used without an air free conversion function, the
D.1.3 Inspection procedure. The safety of the building CO air free can be calculated in accordance with
occupant and inspector are to be determined as the first step footnote 3 in Table D.6.
as described in D.2. Only after the ambient environment is
found to be safe should inspections of gas piping and appli- D.2 Occupant and inspector safety. Prior to entering a
building, the inspector should have both a combustible gas
ances be undertaken. It is recommended that all inspections
described in D.3, D.4, and D.6, where the appliance is in the detector (CGD) and CO detector turned on, calibrated, and
off mode, be completed and any unsafe conditions repaired or operating. Immediately upon entering the building, a sample
corrected before continuing with inspections of an operating of the ambient atmosphere should be taken. Based on CGD
appliance described in D.5 and D.6. and CO detector readings, the inspector should take the fol-
lowing actions:
D.1.4 Manufacturer instructions. Where available, the
manufacturer’s installation and operating instructions for the (1) The CO detector indicates a carbon monoxide level of
1
installed appliances should be used as part of these inspection 70 ppm or greater . The inspector should immediately
procedures to determine if it is installed correctly and is oper- notify the occupant of the need for themselves and any
ating properly. building occupant to evacuate; the inspector shall
immediately evacuate and call 911.
D.1.5 Instruments. The inspection procedures include mea-
suring for fuel gas and carbon monoxide (CO) and will (2) Where the CO detector indicates a reading between 30
1
require the use of a combustible gas detector (CGD) and a ppm and 70 ppm . The inspector should advise the
CO detector. It is recommended that both types of detectors occupant that high CO levels have been found and
be listed. Prior to any inspection, the detectors should be cali- recommend that all possible sources of CO should be
brated or tested in accordance with the manufacturer’s turned off immediately and windows and doors
instructions. In addition, it is recommended that the detectors opened. Where it appears that the source of CO is a
have the following minimum specifications. permanently installed appliance, advise the occupant
to keep the appliance off and have the appliance
(1) Gas Detector. The CGD should be capable of indicating serviced by a qualified servicing agent.
the presence of the type of fuel gas for which it is to be 1
used (e.g. natural gas or propane). The combustible gas (3) Where CO detector indicates CO below 30 ppm the
detector should be capable of the following: inspection can continue.
a. PPM: Numeric display with a parts per million (4) The CGD indicates a combustible gas level of 20%
(ppm) scale from 1 ppm to 900 ppm in 1 ppm LEL or greater. The inspector should immediately
increments. notify the occupant of the need for themselves and any

1
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Responding to Residential Carbon Monoxide Incidents, Guidelines for Fire and Other Emergency Response Personnel,
Approved 7/23/02
2018 INTERNATIONAL FUEL GAS CODE  165
Copyrighted © 2017 by, or licensed to, ICC (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED); licensed to UL, LLC pursuant to License Agreement with ICC. No further reproductions authorized or distribution authorized.
ANY UNAUTHROIZED REPRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTION IS A VIOLATION OF THE FEDERAL COPYRIGHT ACT AND THE LICENSE AGREEMENT; AND SUBJECT TO CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES THEREUNDER.