507270-03 Page 49 of 60Issue 1917
Testing for Proper Venting and Sufcient Combustion Air for Non-Direct Vent Applications
CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING HAZARD
Failure  to  follow  the  steps  outlined  below  for  each 
appliance  connected  to  the  venting  system  being 
placed into  operation could result in carbon monoxide 
poisoning or death.
The following steps shall be followed for each appliance 
connected  to  the  venting  system  being  placed  into 
operation, while  all  other appliances connected  to  the 
venting system are not in operation.
 WARNING
After  the  gas  furnace  has  been  started,  the  following 
test  should  be  conducted  to  ensure  proper  venting  and 
sufcient combustion air has been provided to the unit as 
well as to other gas–red appliances which are separately 
vented.
If  this  furnace  replaces  a  Category  I  furnace  which  was 
commonly  vented  with  another  gas  appliance,  the  size 
of  the  existing  vent  pipe  for  that  gas  appliance  must  be 
checked.  Without  the  heat  of  the  original  furnace  ue 
products, the existing vent pipe  is probably oversized for 
the single water heater or other appliance. The vent should 
be checked for proper draw with the remaining appliance.
The  test  should  be  conducted  while  all  appliances  (both 
in operation and those not in operation) are connected to 
the venting system being tested. If the venting system has 
been  installed  improperly, or  if  provisions  have  not  been 
made for sufcient amounts of combustion air, corrections 
must be made as outlined in the previous section.
1.  Seal any unused openings in the venting system.
2.  Visually  inspect  the  venting  system  for  proper  size 
and horizontal pitch.  Determine there is no blockage 
or restriction, leakage, corrosion, or other deciencies 
which could cause an unsafe condition.
3.  To the extent that it is practical, close all building doors 
and  windows  and  all  doors  between  the  space  in 
which the appliances connected to the venting system 
are located and other spaces of the building. 
4.  Close replace dampers.
5.  Turn  on  clothes  dryers  and  any  appliances  not 
connected to the venting system. Turn on any exhaust 
fans, such as range hoods and bathroom exhausts, so 
they will operate at maximum speed. Do not operate a 
summer exhaust fan. 
6.  Follow  the  lighting  instruction  to  place  the  appliance 
being  inspected  into  operation. Adjust  thermostat  so 
appliance will operate continuously.
7.  Use the  ame of match or candle to test for spillage 
of ue  gases  at the  draft  hood  relief opening  after  5 
minutes of main burner operation. 
8.  If  improper  venting  is  observed  during  any  of  the 
above tests, the venting system must be corrected or 
sufcient  combustion/makeup  air  must  be  provided. 
The venting system should be re–sized to approach the 
minimum size as determined by using the appropriate 
tables  in  appendix  G  in  the  current  standards  of  the 
National Fuel Gas Code ANSI-Z223.1/NPFA 54 in the 
U.S.A., and the appropriate Natural Gas and Propane 
appliances venting sizing tables in the current standard 
of the CSA-B149 Natural Gas and Propane Installation 
Codes in Canada.
9.  After  determining  that  each  appliance  remaining 
connected  to  the  common  venting  system  properly 
vents when tested as indicated in step 3, return doors, 
windows,  exhaust  fans,  replace  dampers  and  any 
other gas burning appliance to their previous condition 
of use.