Requirements for Furnaces

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bjp_ne_elec

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In NY State (where I got my JW license) we only needed a switch for an oil boiler. Where are the guidelines for things related to furnaces listed?

In NE I've notice these switches above some furnaces - but not sure what it's officially called. I know in the one new home I've done since being in NE, the HVAC guy installed it - and just asked that I series it in with the power to the furnace. This one was gas, and he left a switch box and a 1/2 EMT stick of pipe up to a box he mounted in the floor joists. This I used for the disconnect (SP switch). In NYS, this all would have been done by the EC - but hey it turned out to put me a little money and labor ahead, as I had figured on doing this work.

What is that switch called that sits above the furnace? Again, back in NY, we didn't install them. I have a gas forced air in my house, which was built 15 years ago, and I don't have one. The new house I wired, was also a gas furnace, and it had one. I never crossed paths with the HVAC contractor on that job, as it was so spaced out, but the one painter said he remembered the contractor say something about going to the local fire department to see if the switch above the furnace was required. Is it something that could vary by town?

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Dennis - that I understand. The switch that I'm talking about is mounted up in the floor joist above the furnace - should have been more clear. It's in a red box, and I"m assuming it's thermally actuated. Again, never seen them in any installations I ever did in NY State.
 
In MA those rules are found in the fire regulations for oil burners.

Switch required outside the boiler room and a thermal cut out switch above the oil burner that will stop the oil pump.
 
OK - that makes sense. So in MA they're not required for gas furnaces - correct? The house I did was in a pretty small town, so I'm wondering if it's just a matter of the unqualified calling the shots - as it was a gas forced air unit.
 
Iwire - in MA is it supplied by the HVAC contractor as well? Is it something that is available through an HVAC supplier? As it was already there, and I didn't cross paths with him, I'm curious.
 
I believe the device you are talking about is commonly called a "Firomatic."

As Bob pointed out they are required for oil burners due to the special hazards of oil burners. Around here they are installed by the electrician or the oil burner technician.
 
bjp_ne_elec said:
Iwire - in MA is it supplied by the HVAC contractor as well?
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No, the EC provides the special read switch plate that says Oil Burner Shutdown and the red thermal cut out switch that normal mounts to a 4" Rd surface box.

The electrical supply houses stock them.
 
oil burners are not common in my area but I would certainly want the thing to shut down under abnormal circumstances long before there is enough heat near the ceiling to operate a lockout device located there.
 
kwired said:
oil burners are not common in my area but I would certainly want the thing to shut down under abnormal circumstances long before there is enough heat near the ceiling to operate a lockout device located there.
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As you would expect oil burners like gas burner have built in safety features, but for whatever reason, and I suspect it goes way back in time, oil burners require the thermal switch above it. Almost every home I have lived in has had oil heat and I have never seen a safety problem.:smile:
 
Found this on a previous post - OP called it a Fire-O-Matic. Does anyone have a pic, and is this the official name? Just so happens that he was discussing NH. He indicates for oil burner, although the job I did, the HVAC guy was told to put one in for a gas unit - I won't mention the town.


elecmen elecmen is offline
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Default oil burner wiring question
I know this is not a electrical code question but here goes. In NH a fire-o-matic (thermal cut-out switch )is required over a oil burner. What I want to know is there a height restriction? I would like to mount it on a garage ceiling that is about 14' high over the burner. Thoughts?
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bjp_ne_elec said:
He indicates for oil burner, although the job I did, the HVAC guy was told to put one in for a gas unit - I won't mention the town.
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I have never been able to locate any written code that requires a Firomatic on anything besides an oil burner. 99.99% of the time it's "inspector's preference" and tradition to install them on all furnaces and boilers regardless of fuel type. :roll: Funny this is that we don't install them over gas water heaters...hmmm...that should tell you how useful a Firomatic is. ;)
 
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