Mich. Admin. Code R. 400.11217

Current through Vol. 24-21, December 1, 2024

Section R. 400.11217 - Heating

Rule 217.

(1) Heating shall be by a central heating plant, a permanently installed electrical system, or a sealed combustion unit or units mounted on an outside wall.

(2) A central heating plant shall be installed in a 1-hour-fire-resistant enclosure that includes a B-labeled fire door and frame assembly in any interior opening. Combustible ducts shall not be used inside of, or penetrate a required fire-rated enclosure. Air for proper combustion shall be drawn directly from the outside of the building by a permanently open louver, and approved mechanically operated automatic louver or noncombustible duct. A fuel-fired central heating plant requires fire damper installations where ducts penetrate a 1-hour fire rated enclosure except where the heating plant complies with either subrule (6), (7), or (8) of this rule.

(3) A permanently installed electrical system shall be either baseboard or panel. It shall be listed by a nationally recognized independent testing laboratory and installed according to the manufacturer's specifications.

(4) In new construction, additions, conversions, or remodeling, roof-mounted, fuel-fired heating units shall be separated from any building that is used for camper sleeping by at least 1-hour-fire-resistive construction. In all camper-occupied buildings, whether used for camper sleeping or not, roof-mounted fuel-fired heating units shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications utilizing industry-recognized methods and materials.

(5) A sealed combustion unit shall be approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, mounted on an outside wall, properly vented, and installed according to the manufacturer's specifications.

(6) In new construction and conversions where buildings are used for sleeping and where an electrically powered smoke detection system is not required, there shall be a duct smoke detector installed ahead of the fresh air intake in the return air duct of the system so that upon smoke detector activation, the fan to the heating unit will shut down.

(7) Buildings used for sleeping and requiring an electrically powered fire detection system shall have the system connected to the furnace so that activation of the fire detection system will shut down the fan. This is not required if either of the following provisions is complied with:

(a) Approved fire dampers are installed at all duct penetrations in the heat plant enclosure.

(b) The heating system has a duct smoke detector installed ahead of the fresh air intake on the return air portion of the system, as permitted in subrule (6) of this rule, so that activation of the detector will shut down the fan and sound the building fire alarm.

(8) Fire dampers are not required to be installed in the heating plant room enclosure of a building that is not used for sleeping.

(9) A flame-producing water heater shall be installed in either the same enclosure as the heating plant or in a separate enclosure that affords the same protection.

(10) In a building that is not used for sleeping additional protection is not required for the fuel-fired heating plant or water heater if all of the following are met:

(a) The heating plant and/or water heater is located in a basement that is not used by campers.

(b) There is approved floor separation consisting of minimum of standard partition construction between the basement and the remainder of the building.

(c) The basement is not used for the storage of any combustibles without a 1-hour fire resistive separation between the storage and the heating plant. Any doorways in the separation wall(s) shall be protected with "B" labeled fire door/frame assemblies, including self-closing devices and positive latching hardware.

(11) A portable heating unit shall not be used in a camper-occupied building.

(12) A solid fuel-burning space heater shall not be installed in a building that is used for sleeping. A solid fuel-burning heating appliance, that is approved by an independent nationally recognized testing laboratory and that is installed according to the manufacturer's specifications, may be installed in a non-sleeping occupancy. A chimney shall be inspected and a proper and thorough cleaning shall be performed at least once every 2 months during the heating season. Prefabricated chimneys may be installed in accordance with their listings. A masonry chimney shall be provided with an approved fire clay flue liner.

(13) A central, solid fuel-burning heating plant may be approved if it is enclosed by a minimum of 1-hour-fire-resistant construction and if it is installed according to test and manufacturer's specifications. Due to the possibility of ambient heat buildup in small enclosures, strict safe engineering practices shall be followed to allow for the proper dispersion of excessive heat and the intake of adequate combustion air.

(14) A boiler shall be inspected and certified as required by the boiler division of the bureau of construction codes of the department of energy, labor, and economic growth.

(15) A masonry fireplace may be used if it is provided with an approved screen or glass device to prevent the spread of fire and embers and if the chimney is provided with an approved fire clay flue liner or consists of a properly installed U.L. listed prefabricated metal chimney. The chimney shall be visually inspected every other month while in use and cleaned as needed but no less than once every 12 months. A fireplace shall have a noncombustible hearth that extends a minimum of 20 inches out from the front, and 12 inches beyond each side of the fireplace opening and a noncombustible face that extends not less than 12 inches above, and 12 inches on each side of the fireplace opening.

(16) In new construction, additions, conversions or remodeling, a gas-log fireplace may be used if the fireplace is provided with an approved screen or glass device, it vents products of combustion directly to the outside, and it is installed and maintained in strict accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. The installation shall be approved by the mechanical inspector having jurisdiction.

(17) In new construction, additions, conversions or remodeling, fireplaces shall not be installed in a camper sleeping building unless there is a 1-hour fire resistive separation, including 45-minute fire-rated door/frame assemblies, between the fireplace use area and the camper sleeping area and with each area having proper independent exiting. In existing licensed camp buildings that are used for sleeping, fireplaces may only be used if they meet the requirements of this subrule or are properly fitted with a sealed combustion gas-log insert that requires tools to access any open flame. The flames shall be kept inaccessible to campers, and the insert must comply with subrule (5) of this rule for location and installation.

Mich. Admin. Code R. 400.11217

1984 AACS; 1994 AACS; 2009 AACS