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WARNING
The State of California has determined that this prod
uct may contain or produce a chemical or chemicals,
in very low doses, which may cause serious illness
or death. It may also cause cancer, birth defects or
reproductive harm.
Combustion, Dilution & Ventilation Air
In the past, there was no problem in bringing in sufficient
outdoor air for combustion. Infiltration provided all the air
that was needed. In today's homes, tight construction prac
tices make it necessary to bring in air from outside for
combustion. Take into account that exhaust fans, ap
pliance vents, chimneys, and fireplaces force additional air
that could be used for combustion out of the house. Unless
outside air is brought into the house for combustion, nega
tive pressure (outside pressure is greater than inside pres
sure) will build to the point that a downdraft can occur in the
furnace vent pipe or chimney. As a result, combustion
gases enter the living space creating a potentially danger
ous situation.
In the absence of local codes concerning air for combus
tion and ventilation, use the guidelines and procedures in
this section to install ML180DF furnaces to ensure efficient
and safe operation. You must consider combustion air
needs and requirements for exhaust vents. A portion of this
information has been reprinted with permission from the
National Fuel Gas Code (ANSI‐Z223.1). This reprinted ma
terial is not the complete and official position of the ANSI on
the referenced subject, which is represented only by the
standard in its entirety.
CAUTION
Do not install the furnace in a corrosive or contami
nated atmosphere. Meet all combustion and ventila
tion air requirements, as well as all local codes.
All gas‐fired appliances require air for the combustion pro
cess. If sufficient combustion air is not available, the fur
nace or other appliances will operate inefficiently and un
safely. Enough air must be provided to meet the needs of
all fuel‐burning appliances and appliances such as ex
haust fans which force air out of the house. When fire
places, exhaust fans, or clothes dryers are used at the
same time as the furnace, much more air is necessary to
ensure proper combustion and to prevent a downdraft. In
sufficient air causes incomplete combustion which can re
sult in carbon monoxide.
CAUTION
Insufficient combustion air can cause headaches,
nausea, dizziness or asphyxiation. It will also cause
excess water in the heat exchanger resulting in rust
ing and premature heat exchanger failure. Excessive
exposure to contaminated combustion air will result
in safety and performance related problems. Avoid
exposure to the following substances in the
combustion air supply:
Permanent wave solutions
Chlorinated waxes and cleaners
Chlorine base swimming pool chemicals
Water softening chemicals
De‐icing salts or chemicals
Carbon tetrachloride
Halogen type refrigerants
Cleaning solvents (such as perchloroethylene)
Printing inks, paint removers, varnishes, etc.
Hydrochloric acid
Cements and glues
Antistatic fabric softeners for clothes dryers
Masonry acid washing materials
In addition to providing combustion air, fresh outdoor air di
lutes contaminants in the indoor air. These contaminants
may include bleaches, adhesives, detergents, solvents
and other contaminants which can corrode furnace compo
nents.
The requirements for providing air for combustion and ven
tilation depend largely on whether the furnace is installed in
an unconfined or a confined space.
Unconfined Space
An unconfined space is an area such as a basement or
large equipment room with a volume greater than 50 cubic
feet (1.42 m3) per 1,000 Btu (.29 kW) per hour of the com
bined input rating of all appliances installed in that space.
This space also includes adjacent rooms which are not
separated by a door. Though an area may appear to be un
confined, it might be necessary to bring in outdoor air for
combustion if the structure does not provide enough air by
infiltration. If the furnace is located in a building of tight
construction with weather stripping and caulking around
the windows and doors, follow the procedures in the air
from outside section.
Confined Space
A confined space is an area with a volume less than 50 cu
bic feet (1.42 m3) per 1,000 Btu (.29 kW) per hour of the
combined input rating of all appliances installed in that
space. This definition includes furnace closets or small
equipment rooms.
When the furnace is installed so that supply ducts carry air
circulated by the furnace to areas outside the space
containing the furnace, the return air must be handled by
ducts which are sealed to the furnace casing and which ter
minate outside the space containing the furnace. This is
