ASTM E1998-11

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

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Although a number of different methods have been used to assess backdrafting and spillage (see NFPA 54, CAN/CGSB-51.71, and 1-4) a single well-accepted method is not yet available. At this point, different methods can yield different results. In addition, advantages and drawbacks of different methods have not been evaluated or described.
To provide a consistent basis for selection of methods, this guide summarizes different methods available to assess backdrafting and spillage. Advantages and limitations of each method are addressed.
One or more of the methods described in this guide should be performed when backdrafting or spillage from vented combustion appliances is suspected to be the cause of a potential problem such as elevated carbon monoxide (CO) levels or excessive moisture.
The following are examples of specific conditions under which such methods could be performed:
When debris or soot is evident at the draft hood, indicating that backdrafting may have occurred in the past,
When a new or replacement combustion appliance is added to a residence,
When a new or replacement exhaust device or system, such as a downdraft range exhaust fan, a fireplace, or a fan-powered radon mitigation system, is added,
When a residence is being remodeled or otherwise altered to increase energy efficiency, as with various types of weatherization programs, and  
When a CO alarm device has alarmed and a combustion appliance is one of the suspected causes of the alarm.
Depending on the nature of the test(s) conducted and the test results, certain preventive or remedial actions may need to be taken. The following are examples:
If any of the short-term tests indicates a potential for backdrafting, and particularly if more than one test indicates such potential, then the appliance and venting system should be further tested by a qualified technician, or remedial actions could be taken in accordance with 5.5.3.
If continuous monitoring indicates that backdrafting ...
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. The 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 a 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 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.9 This guide does not purport to address all safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user to establish appropriate safety and health practices and to 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 gui...

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Aug-2011
• ICS: 91.140.65 - Water heating equipment
• Technical Committee: E06 - Performance of Buildings
• Drafting Committee: E06.41 - Air Leakage and Ventilation Performance

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E1998-02(2007) - Standard Guide for Assessing Depressurization-Induced Backdrafting and Spillage from Vented Combustion Appliances
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2011
• Replaced By: ASTM E1998-11(2018) - Standard Guide for Assessing Depressurization-Induced Backdrafting and Spillage from Vented Combustion Appliances
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2018

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: E1998 − 11
Standard Guide for
Assessing Depressurization-Induced Backdrafting and
1
Spillage from Vented Combustion Appliances
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1998; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.9 This guide does not purport to address all safety
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
1.1 Thisguidedescribesandcomparesdifferentmethodsfor
of the user to establish appropriate safety and health practices
assessing the potential for, or existence of, depressurization-
and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations
induced backdrafting and spillage from vented residential
prior to use.Carbonmonoxide(CO)exposureorflameroll-out
combustion appliances.
may occur when performing certain procedures given in this
1.2 Assessment of depressurization-induced backdrafting
guide. See Section 7, for precautions that must be taken in
andspillageisconductedundereitherinduceddepressurization
conducting such procedures.
or natural conditions.
2. Referenced Documents
1.3 Residential vented combustion appliances addressed in
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
thisguideincludehotwaterheatersandfurnace.Theguidealso
D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of
is applicable to boilers.
Atmospheres
1.4 The methods given in this guide are applicable to
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
Category I (draft-hood- and induced-fan-equipped) furnaces.
E779 TestMethodforDeterminingAirLeakageRatebyFan
The guide does not apply to Category III (power-vent-
Pressurization
equipped) or Category IV (direct-vent) furnaces.
3
2.2 CAN/CGSB Standards:
CAN/CGSB51.71 TheSpillageTest—MethodtoDetermine
1.5 The methods in this guide are not intended to identify
the Potential for Pressure-Induced Spillage from Vented,
backdrafting or spillage due to vent blockage or heat-
Fuel-Fired;SpaceHeatingAppliances;WaterHeaters,and
exchanger leakage.
Fireplaces
1.6 This guide is not intended to provide a basis for
4
2.3 ANSI Standards:
determining compliance with code requirements on appliance
ANSI Z21.47 Gas-fired Central Furnace
and venting installation, but does include a visual assessment
5
2.4 NFPA Standards:
of the installation. This assessment may indicate the need for a
NFPA 54 National Fuel Gas Code
thorough inspection by a qualified technician.
1.7 Users of the methods in this guide should be familiar 3. Terminology
with combustion appliance operation and with making house-
3.1 Definitions:
tightness measurements using a blower door. Some methods
3.1.1 For definitions of general terms related to building
described in this guide require familiarity with differential-
construction used in this specification, refer to Terminology
pressure measurements and use of computer-based data-
E631,andforgeneraltermsrelatedtosamplingandanalysisof
logging equipment.
atmospheres, refer to Terminology D1356.
1.8 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
standard.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
3
Available from Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB), Sales Center,
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on Performance Place du Portage III, 6B1, 11 Laurier Street, Gatineau, Quebec K1A 1G6, Canada,
of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.41 on Air http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/ongc-cgsb/cn-cu-eng.html.
4
Leakage and Ventilation Performance. Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2011. Published October 2011. Originally 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
5
approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as E1998 – 02 (2007). Available from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch
DOI: 10.1520/E1998-11. Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471, http://www.nfpa.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E1998 − 11
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: 3.2.13 induced draft (ID) fan, n—a fan used in a venting
3.2.1 air leakage, n—the movement or flow of air through system that removes flue gases under non-positive static vent
the building envelope which is driven by a pressure differential pressure.
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:E1998–02(Reapproved 2007) Designation:E1998–11
Standard Guide for
Assessing Depressurization-Induced Backdrafting and
1
Spillage from Vented Combustion Appliances
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1998; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. 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. The 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 a thorough
inspection by a qualified technician.
1.7 Usersofthemethodsinthisguideshouldbefamiliarwithcombustionapplianceoperationandwithmakinghouse-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
1.8 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.9 This guide does not purport to address all safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
toestablishappropriatesafetyandhealthpracticesandtodeterminetheapplicabilityofregulatorylimitationspriortouse.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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
E779 Test Method for Determining Air Leakage Rate by Fan Pressurization
E1827Test Methods for DeterminingAirtightness of Buildings Using an Orifice Blower Door Test Method for DeterminingAir
Leakage Rate by Fan Pressurization
3
2.2 CGSB Standard:CAN/CGSB Standards:
51.71CAN/CGSB 51.71 The Spillage Test—Method to Determine the Potential for Pressure-Induced Spillage from Vented,
Fuel-Fired; Space Heating Appliances; Water Heaters, and Fireplaces
4
2.3 ANSI Standard:ANSI Standards:
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E06 on Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.41 onAir Leakage and
Ventilation Performance.
Current edition approved Aug.Sept. 1, 2007.2011. Published August 2007.October 2011. Originally approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 20022007 as
E1998 – 02 (2007). DOI: 10.1520/E1998-02R07.10.1520/E1998-11.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from the CGSB Sales Centre, Ottawa, Canada K1A 1G6.
3
Available from Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB), Sales Center, Place du Portage III, 6B1, 11 Laurier Street, Gatineau, Quebec K1A 1G6, Canada,
http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/ongc-cgsb/cn-cu-eng.html.
4
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

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E1998–11
Z21.47ANSI Z21.47 Gas-fired Central Furnace
5
2.4 NFPA Standard:NFPA Standards:
54NFPA 54 National Fuel Gas Code
3. Terminology
3.1Definitions—For
...