§ 3a.36. Clearances.
(a) The following clearances apply for boilers installed after January 1, 1960:
(1) The minimum clearance around each boiler must be 30 inches with at least 6 feet clearance from the floor to overhead obstructions.
(2) The minimum clearance around each unfired pressure vessel must be 18 inches. The minimum clearance in front of a manhole cover must be 30 inches.
(3) A clearance of at least 12 inches must be provided between the floor and lower head or the underside of the shell of an unfired pressure vessel. The clearance distance must be the measurement from a vessel appendage to the next object.
(b) The following requirements apply to a single installation or assembly of storage water heaters or instantaneous water heaters, which operate as a unit:
(1) The unit may be arranged with a minimum clearance of 6 inches between components if an 18-inch clearance shall be maintained around the assembly. The clearance in front of a manhole opening is a minimum of 30 inches.
(2) An assembly may not exceed 9 million BTU input.
(3) Casings must be readily removable for inspection purposes, if casings are provided.
(c) A new building containing multiple boiler installations must meet the following minimum overhead clearance requirements:
(1) Between the boiler platform and the ceiling: 7 feet.
(2) Between the top of the boiler proper and the ceiling for all installations: 3 1/2 feet.
(3) Between the highest point of any valve or fitting and the ceiling: 6 inches.
(d) Subsections (a) and (b) do not apply to pressure vessels of factory assembled package units that are governed by § 3a.111 (relating to field inspections) if there is adequate clearance for operation and inspection. Subsection (a) applies to the entire factory assembled unit.
(e) The minimum clearance around a wall-hung boiler must be 30 inches except for the wall mount side.
(f) The clearance between modules in a modular system may be reduced to the manufacturer’s recommendations if the entire modular boiler system meets the 30-inch clearance requirement of subsection (a)(1).
(g) This section does not apply to a miniature boiler if the boiler can be safely inspected as installed.
(h) Tripping hazards are not permitted.
Cross References This section cited in 34 Pa. Code § 3a.98 (relating to plan approval); 34 Pa. Code § 3a.161 (relating to modular boilers); and 34 Pa. Code § 3a.166 (relating to miniature boilers and kitchen equipment).
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