38 Energy Savings Plus Health | INDOOR AIR QUALITY GUIDELINES FOR MULTIFAMILY BUILDING UPGRADES
PRIORITY ISSUE 12.0 UNVENTED COMBUSTION APPLIANCES
ASSESSMENT PROTOCOLS (AP) MINIMUM ACTIONS (MA) EXPANDED ACTIONS (EA)
AP 12.1 Identify Unvented Combustion
Appliances and Applicable Regulations
Identify any unvented gas or kerosene
space heaters or vent-free combustion
appliances (e.g., ovens, cooktops,
fireplaces).
Determine whether any local or state
regulations prohibiting these devices
apply.
Check locations of unvented gas or
kerosene space heaters and assess the
potential for the unvented heaters to
influence the thermostat that controls
the primary heat source (e.g., the
central heating system). Assess the
potential for the space heaters to
override the operation of the primary
heat source.
Determine whether CO detection
and warning equipment is installed
in dwelling units with unvented
combustion appliances.
MA 12.1 Ensure Adequate Exhaust and
Ventilation in Kitchens Equipped with
Gas Cooking Appliances
Ensure ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2013
requirements, and any applicable
building code requirements, for local
exhaust and outdoor air ventilation
are met for kitchens equipped with
gas cooking appliances. Ensure that
kitchen exhaust fans vent directly to
the outdoors. See Priority Issue 21.0
Local Exhaust Ventilation for additional
guidance.
MA 12.2 Remove Unvented Combustion
Space Heaters
With the occupants' permission, remove
any unvented gas or kerosene space
heaters that do not conform to local
or state regulations. If the heaters are
used as the primary source of heat for
a space, replace them with electric
or vented, code-compliant heating
systems.
Note:
All equipment removals should include
proper disposal so that hazardous units
are not reinstalled or used elsewhere.
With the occupants' permission, remove
other unvented heaters, except when
used as a secondary heat source and it
can be confirmed that the unit is listed
to ANSI Z21.11.2. Heaters that are
not listed to ANSI Z21.11.2 should be
removed prior to the building upgrade,
if feasible, but may remain until a
replacement heating system is in place.
If occupants object to these
recommendations:
• Provide occupants with information
about the hazards of improperly
operating unvented space heaters
or vent-free appliances including,
for example the manufacturers'
written instructions and CPSC's
Carbon Monoxide Questions
and Answers and EPA's Carbon
Monoxide's Impact on Indoor
Air Quality. The manufacturers'
instructions may specify open
windows during operation because
use of the device requires adequate
or additional ventilation to remove
products of combustion such as
CO, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide,
particulate matter and water vapor.
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Appendix B: Property Management and Occupant Education
