ASTM E1998-99

Standard Guide for Assessing Depressurization-Induced Backdrafting and Spillage from Vented Combustion Appliances

SCOPE
1.1 This guide describes and compares different methods for assessing the potential for, or existence of, depressurization-induced backdrafting and spillage from vented residential combustion appliances.
1.2 Assessment of depressurization-induced backdrafting and spillage is conducted under either induced depressurization or natural conditions.
1.3 Residential vented combustion appliances addressed in this guide include hot water heaters and furnace. This guide also is applicable to boilers.
1.4 The methods given in this guide are applicable to Category I (draft-hood and induced-fan equipped) furnaces. The guide does not apply to Category III (power-vent equipped) or Category IV (direct-vent) furnaces.
1.5 The methods in this guide are not intended to identify backdrafting or spillage due to vent blockage or heat-exchanger leakage.
1.6 This guide is not intended to provide a basis for determining compliance with code requirements on appliance and venting installation, but does include a visual assessment of the installation. This assessment may indicate the need for thorough inspection by a qualified technician.
1.7 Users of the methods in this guide should be familiar with combustion appliance operation and with making house-tightness measurements using a blower door. Some methods described in this guide require familiarity with differential-pressure measurements and use of computer-based data-logging equipment.
1.8 This guide does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Carbon monoxide (CO) exposure or flame roll-out may occur when performing certain procedures given in this guide. See Section 7, for precautions that must be taken in conducting such procedures.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Jan-1999
• ICS: 91.140.65 - Water heating equipment
• Technical Committee: E06 - Performance of Buildings
• Drafting Committee: E06.41 - Air Leakage and Ventilation Performance

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM E1998-02 - Standard Guide for Assessing Depressurization-Induced Backdrafting and Spillage from Vented Combustion Appliances
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2002

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or
withdrawn. Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: E 1998 – 99
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Guide for
Assessing Depressurization-Induced Backdrafting and
1
Spillage from Vented Combustion Appliances
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1998; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D 1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of
2
Atmospheres
1.1 This guide describes and compares different methods for
3
E 631 Terminology of Building Constructions
assessing the potential for, or existence of, depressurization-
E 779 Test Method for Determining Air Leakage Rate by
induced backdrafting and spillage from vented residential
3
Fan Pressurization
combustion appliances.
E 1827 Test Methods for Determining Airtightness of
1.2 Assessment of depressurization-induced backdrafting
4
Buildings Using an Orifice Blower Door
and spillage is conducted under either induced depressurization
2.2 CGSB Standard:
or natural conditions.
51.71 The Spillage Test—Method to Determine the Poten-
1.3 Residential vented combustion appliances addressed in
tial for Pressure-Induced Spillage from Vented, Fuel-
this guide include hot water heaters and furnace. The guide also
Fired; Space Heating Appliances; Water Heaters, and
is applicable to boilers.
5
Fireplaces
1.4 The methods given in this guide are applicable to
2.3 ANSI Standard:
Category I (draft-hood- and induced-fan-equipped) furnaces.
6
Z21.47 Gas-fired Central Furnace
The guide does not apply to Category III (power-vent-
2.4 NFPA Standard:
equipped) or Category IV (direct-vent) furnaces.
7
54 National Fuel Gas Code
1.5 The methods in this guide are not intended to identify
backdrafting or spillage due to vent blockage or heat-
3. Terminology
exchanger leakage.
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this guide,
1.6 This guide is not intended to provide a basis for
refer to Terminologies E 631 and D 1356.
determining compliance with code requirements on appliance
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
and venting installation, but does include a visual assessment
3.2.1 air leakage, n—the movement or flow of air through
of the installation. This assessment may indicate the need for a
the building envelope which is driven by a pressure differential
thorough inspection by a qualified technician.
across the envelope.
1.7 Users of the methods in this guide should be familiar
3.2.2 air leakage rate, n—the volume of air movement per
with combustion appliance operation and with making house-
unit time across the building envelope.
tightness measurements using a blower door. Some methods
3.2.3 airtightness, n—the degree to which the building
described in this guide require familiarity with differential-
envelope resists flow of air.
pressure measurements and use of computer-based data-
3.2.4 blower door, n—a fan pressurization device incorpo-
logging equipment.
rating a controllable fan and instruments for airflow measure-
1.8 This guide does not purport to address all safety
ment and building pressure difference measurement that
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
mounts securely in a door or other opening.
of the user to establish appropriate safety and health practices
3.2.5 Category 1 appliance, n—an appliance that operates
and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations
with non-positive static pressure and with a vent gas tempera-
prior to use. Carbon monoxide (CO) exposure or flame roll-out
ture that avoids excessive condensate production in the vent
may occur when performing certain procedures given in this
(see NFPA 54).
guide. See Section 7, for precautions that must be taken in
conducting such procedures.
2
2. Referenced Documents
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.03.
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.11.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.07.
5
Available from the CGSB Sales Centre, Ottawa, Canada K1A 1G6.
1 6
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-6 on Performance Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th
of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.41 on Air Leakage Floor, New York, NY 10036.
7
and Ventilation Performance. Available from the National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park,
Current edition approved Jan. 10, 1999. Published April 1999. P.O. Box 9101, Quincy, MA 02269.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
NOTICE:¬This¬standa
...