Furnace on a platform?

lmorsino

Why do HVAC contractors like to install a furnace on a small platform rather than just on the basement floor? Is there a code requirement for this or is it just in case there is water in the basement or something?

turnermech

The only code that i know of that requires furnaces to be elevated are when they are installed in a garage. It is silly but it is to prevent a car from hitting them.

Elavated in a basement may be just for the prevention of water damage. I live in an area with few basements. we are mostly below sea level so I may not be the best one to respond to such a question

gregzoll

It depends on if the basement may or can get water in it. Any time a room is below grade, it can be flooded. Even if you get 2 or 3 feet or even as little as 6 inches in a basement, it can wreck havoc on mechanicals. That is where you need a plan along with a cash fund to cover anything the insurance through your home owner's will not cover.

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scottmcd9999

We have a subdivision along our river, and in those homes code required mechanical equipment to be elevated to some degree, and it also required ductwork to be above the flood plain (which is just silly, since the entire dang house was below the flood plain).

In other areas, furnaces are often installed on a plenum (i.e. the metal box that serves as the termination point for the return ducting). Those plenums are generally 12" tall or more.

AFAIK, there is no other requirement for a furnace to be on a platform. We've installed many directly on the concrete basement floor, and the inspectors pass them every time.

Also, different regions have differet established practices, and that may be just one of those practices. For example, in our region you almost never see ductboard in either residential or commercial. However, the RUUD tech rep here reported that another region about 85 miles away uses a LOT of ductboard in residentail apps. Go figure ...