Gas demand water heater and clearance

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richf

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I cannot find out anything about clearances in regards to a gas demand (Rinnai) water heater in relationship to a meter socket both located outside. I know that in the NFPA 54 that 3ft is the stated clearance to gas meters and regulators. This water heater is fed from the tank/regulator which are beyond 3ft. Do I treat this water heater as a regulator/meter or not. Can it be mounted closer than 3ft?
Thanks!
 
I am assuming this is a residential installation. In general, only the gas meter/regulators have the potential to have pressures high enough to be a concern. Downstream of the regulator, closed piping is considered sufficient to avoid clearance concerns from an incidental ignition viewpoint.
 
Thanks. This is a residential installation. The water heater itself will be outside and within 6" from the meter socket. Do you consider this a "closed" piping system?
 
Yes. In this case, "closed" means there are no devices that are designed to relieve to atmosphere in the system or are prone to leaks. Valves, flanges, pressure connectors, the water heater itself, etc., are considered closed components for low pressure systems.

Edit add: In case you should wonder, "low pressure" is less than 100psi.
 
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