Am I really going to start a fire by having fuel parked near a gas hot water heater in the garage like the safety sticker says? The ideal parking spot for the golf cart is there without having to give up a vehicle spot. House was built in 2006 and is on the original heater so should be FVIR and is elevated to code.
Keep Me From Blowing Up My House
- Thread starter TARider
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2005
- Location
- Stanley, NC
It's only a problem if it leaks.
drkelly
Dipstick who put two vehicles on jack stands
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2005
- Location
- Oak Ridge/Stokesdale, NC
Sell the golf cart and get a bicycle.
I have 3 already.....
braxton357
Robot
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2005
- Location
- Morganton
If it got hot enough in there for the cart to vent gas fumes possibly. Theoretically yes, in practice the odds of there being enough gas vapor from your cart in an area the size of a garage to combust are very slim. Especially if it's vented.
maulcruiser
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2005
- Location
- Bladenboro/Wilmington, NC
This a climate controlled garage? If not, then install a small exhaust fan so that fumes won't build.
I wish it was climate controlled. I'll look into exhaust fans.
RatLabGuy
You look like a monkey and smell like one too
- Joined
- May 18, 2005
- Location
- Churchville, MD
I'd think it would have to be helaciously thick gas vapors to ever be an issue. Like, a massive pool of open gas on the floor right underneath the water heater or something.
In thinking through this, what we're talking about is gasoline contamination of the air that is sucked into the chamber in order for it to be able to combust. That would have to be a pretty high % vapor in the air to do anything notable. Although I'm sure some math could tell you what was required.
To eliminate the problem, you could make an intake pipe for the WH that draws air from someplace else, like outside under your eaves. You don't want it to be from a conditioned air space b/c you're creating a slight vacuum (I assume the heater has a flue as well)
In thinking through this, what we're talking about is gasoline contamination of the air that is sucked into the chamber in order for it to be able to combust. That would have to be a pretty high % vapor in the air to do anything notable. Although I'm sure some math could tell you what was required.
To eliminate the problem, you could make an intake pipe for the WH that draws air from someplace else, like outside under your eaves. You don't want it to be from a conditioned air space b/c you're creating a slight vacuum (I assume the heater has a flue as well)
GotWood
Sayer of Fact
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2007
- Location
- Maiden, NC
As a fireman, I love stupid chances! 1 in a million is better odds than the lottery .
That's the one that makes me hesitate.
fourtrax
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2007
- Location
- Just below the Apex
gas vapor is heavier then air it will settle low to the ground near where your pilot light is on the water heater. if the gas tank is sealed (has a lid) and is out of the sun you shouldn't have that much expansion or vapor. I mean I wouldn't put the gas right next to the heater. but, you should be ok.
After all they design the house with the hot water heater in the garage, which was designed to park cars in, which run off gas. not much difference. It all has to pass building code.
There is a vent at the top of the heater where exhaust exits and proceeds up the flue this action also pulls air out of the garage coupled with the fact that most garage doors are drafty there is not much chance for pressure to build up. just be smart if you see something that holds gas is leaking get it fixed other wise vapor should be minimal.
After all they design the house with the hot water heater in the garage, which was designed to park cars in, which run off gas. not much difference. It all has to pass building code.
There is a vent at the top of the heater where exhaust exits and proceeds up the flue this action also pulls air out of the garage coupled with the fact that most garage doors are drafty there is not much chance for pressure to build up. just be smart if you see something that holds gas is leaking get it fixed other wise vapor should be minimal.