CPA Attic Furnace Page 1 of 2

Revision Date: 10/25/09

FURNACE (ATTIC) General Requirements/Checklist for:
City of Palo Alto (CPA) Residential
Building Inspection Division Codes Enforced:
285 Hamilton Ave. 2007 CBC, CMC,CEC,CPC
Inspection Request: 650 329-2496 Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC)
Building Division IVR# 609
The information provided in this document is general and intended as a guide only. Each project is unique and
additional requirements may be enforced as deemed appropriate.

WARNING
 Failure to complete items below, prior to inspection, may result in a re-inspection fee.
GREEN BUILDING TIPS *Rebate www.cityofpaloalto.org/smartenergy
 *Energy Star gas furnace saves as much as 20% annually on your total energy cost.
NOT ALLOWED
 Whole house fan is not allowed when furnace is located in attic or furnace derives its
combustion air from either the attic or the inside of house. See exceptions in whole house
fan checklist under mechanical in the index.
INSPECTION
 Access
 Truss system shall be engineered for furnace location. CPC
 Access cover shall be insulated with R-30, recommend rigid foam. Title-24 Energy Code
 Access scuttle to be the size of largest piece of equipment, but not less than 22” x 30” net
clear opening and 30” in height. CMC 305, CBC 1203.2 CBC
 Access passageway 24” wide continuous unobstructed solid flooring, if less than 6’ high,
max. 20’ from scuttle access opening. CMC 904.11.2, 904.11.3
 Provide a level working platform 30” deep x 30” wide at front or service side of unit and 30”
high CMC 904.11.4
 Mechanical
 Verify furnace make, model and size is per Title-24 energy forms on plan.
 Provide manufacturer’s installation instructions for the inspection. CMC 304.1
 Verify that insulation collar is properly installed.
 Properly support and secure the unit. CMC 304.4
 Gas appliance Vents shall be installed per Chapter 8 of the 2007 California
Mechanical Code. Vents that pass through unconditioned areas such as attic, roofs,
underfloor, and unconditioned basements shall be listed Type B or Type L double wall vents
and shall have a minimum 1” inch clearance to combustibles. Single wall vents are not
allowed. CMC 802.10.2
 Vents shall extend in a vertical direction with off sets not exceeding 45 degrees, except that
a vent system having not more than one 60 degree offset shall be permitted. Any angle
greater than 45 degrees from the vertical is considered horizontal. The total horizontal
distance of vent plus the horizontal vent connector serving draft hood equipped appliances
shall not be greater than 75 percent of the vertical height of the vent. CMC 802.6.1
 CPA Attic Furnace Page 2 of 2

 Gravity vent termination to be 1’ foot above roof if slope of roof not greater than 6/12.
Steeper roofs require additional height. Termination to be 8’ feet from vertical surfaces
above roof line. All combustibles to be at least 1” inch from double wall vent. Overall vent
height to be 5’ min. above vent collar of the FAU in the attic. CMC 802.6.2
 Combustion and circulating air shall be provided in accordance with CMC 701.0
See “Combustion air for gas appliance” guidelines for approved methods of obtaining
combustion air. Direct vent appliances are exempt from the provisions of chapter 7 in
the CMC and shall be installed per the appliance listing.
 Insulated ductwork properly supported and joints properly secured duct insulation R-value
of 4.2. CMC Table 6-6 a & b, CMC 604.5 , table 6-10, CMC 605
 Generally return air inlet cannot be in the same room as the appliance or in the bathroom,
kitchen or closets. CMC 906
 Provide automatic setback thermostat. Title-24 of the Energy Code, section 150
 Installation of whole house fans may not be allowed if they adversely effect the operation
of other equipment within the building. CMC 503.1
 Electrical and Lighting
 All electrical wiring within 6’ of the attic access scuttle must be secured and protected by a
guard strip to prevent damage to the cable. CEC 320.23
 Light and receptacle outlet required. Timer type light switch shall be located at attic entry
and receptacle outlet within 25’ of furnace. CMC 904.11.5
 Air conditioner condenser to be provided with a separate dedicated circuit and disconnect
(Fused or HACR breaker) in sight of the unit and readily accessible. CEC 440-2, 440-14,
220-18
 Identify breaker at meter panel and verify proper conductor size. CEC 110-22, table 310-16
 Retrofit smoke detectors required. Generally, all bedrooms, hallways leading to bedrooms
and top of stairway, if any, require battery operated smoke detectors. CBC 907.2.10.1.2
 Automatic setback thermostat needs to be installed for furnace.
 Plumbing
 Condensate drain and secondary drain – 1/8” per ft min. slope with supports every 4’.
Retrofit units both drains may run to the exterior. Secondary condensate drain to be
terminated over window/door to grab attention if a/c equipment malfunctions. CPC 814
 Gas
 Gas supply flex connectors are not allowed to pass through the equipment housing. CMC
303
 Gas line air test required when any modifications are made to gas line piping. Require a
whole house gas test. CPC 1214.5
 Gas shut-off within 6’ of unit. CPC 1212.
 Gas connector shall be rated/sized for load/demand of the furnace; shall not pass through
any walls, partitions, ceilings, floors or concealed space; connector shall not exceed 3’ feet
in length; and the existing old connector shall not be reused when replacing the furnace.
DO NOT REMOVE SIZING LABLE FROM CONNECTOR, INSPECTOR MUST VERIFY. CMC
1312.1 (d)