From the 2006 IRC. (bold and underlining are
mine)
- SECTION
P3103
- - VENT TERMINALS
- - - P3103.1 Roof
extension. Open vent pipes that extend through a roof shall be terminated at
least 6 inches (152 mm) above the roof or 6 inches (152 mm) above the
anticipated snow accumulation, whichever is greater, except that where a roof is
to be used for any purpose other than weather protection, the vent extension
shall be run at least 7 feet (2134 mm)above the
roof.
- - - P3103.2 Frost closure.
Where the 97.5-percent value for outside design temperature is 0°F
(-18°C) or less, every vent extension through a roof or wall shall be a minimum
of 3 inches (76 mm) in diameter. Any increase in the size of the vent shall be
made inside the structure a minimum of 1 foot (305 mm) below the roof or inside
the wall.
- - - P3103.3 Flashings and sealing.
The
juncture of each vent pipe with the roof line shall be made water tight by an
approved flashing. Vent extensions in walls and soffits shall be made weather
tight by caulking.
- - - P3103.4 Prohibited use.
Vent terminals shall not be used as a flag pole or to support flag
poles, TV aerials, or similar items, except when the piping has been anchored in
an approved manner.
- - - P3103.5 Location of vent
terminal. An open vent terminal from a drainage system shall not be
located less than 4 feet (1219 mm) directly beneath any door, openable window,
or other air intake opening of the building or of an adjacent building, nor
shall any such vent terminal be within 10 feet (3048 mm) horizontally of such an
opening unless it is at least 2 feet (610 mm) above the top of such
opening.
- - - P3103.6 Extension through the
wall.Vent terminals extending through the wall shall terminate a
minimum of 10 feet (3048 mm) from the lot line and 10 feet (3048 mm) above the
highest adjacent grade within 10 feet (3048 mm) horizontally of the vent
terminal. Vent terminals shall not terminate under the overhang of a
structure with soffit vents. Side wall vent terminals shall be protected to
prevent birds or rodents from entering or blocking the vent
opening.
First A, the "vent terminal" must then also meet P3103.5 Location
of vent terminal.
First B, vents with an
extension through the wall must meet P3103.6 Extension through the
wall.
- [Note that First
B 'Extension through the wall' is of secondary importance to First A only in
that it has "additional requirements" over First A (which is typically the only
one of the two applied as most vent terminals 'roof extensions' and not 'wall
extensions').]
Second, the vent must also meet 3103.2 Frost closure (if in the
area described by the temperature limitation).
Followed by the lesser
important (to that photo): P3103.3 Flashings and sealing, and, P3103.4
Prohibited use.
That vent extension through the wall *DOES NOT MEET*
'P3103.5 Location of vent terminal' or 'P3103.6 Extension through the wall, and
I don't know if the '3103.2 Frost closure' section applies.
__________________
Mike Schulz
Lic. 393
Office/Fax: (919)
557-3889
Cell: (919) 614-0208
www.houseinspections.com
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