City of Garland TX water heater requirements

Effective September 2007, the Texas State Legislature enacted into the Plumbing License Law additional wording to specifically include water heaters in their list of plumbing fixtures, required by law, to have a plumbing permit issued prior to installation. In addition, the law provides that such installations be done according to current codes by a Garland TX licensed master plumber and inspected by a licensed plumbing inspector.

City of Garland Texas Water Heater Installations Requirements:

A permit must be obtained for a water heater replacement. An inspection must be made of all water heater replacements. Approximate times can be scheduled for the inspections (within 2 hours). The homeowner needs to contact the inspector directly to set up the appointment. Inspectors can be reached between 7:30 – 8:30 and from 3:30 – 4:00. An adult must be present to complete inspection.

T & P valve must be installed and operating properly. T & P drained must be at least ¾” copper or CPVC. It must terminate on the garage floor or outside and be turned down approximately 6” of the garage floor or ground. A shut off valve is required on the cold water pipe at the water heater. Water heaters in garages are ONLY required to be elevated when required by the manufacturer’s installation instructions.  Dielectric connections are only required to be installed when required by the manufacturer’s installation instructions. A pan and drain is required on any water heater in an attic, on the second floor, over pier and beam construction or when there is an existing pan and drain. The drain must be 3/4′” and drain outside between 6” – 24” off the ground. 

Gas water heaters: A gas shutoff valve is required within 6 feet of the water heater. It must be accessible and be in the same room with the water heater. Combustion air must be provided for a gas water heater in a closet or in a small room. Type B vent (double wall) is required into and through the attic (or other concealed space). There must be 1” clearance between the vent and sheetrock, wood, insulation and combustibles. A gas water heater in a bathroom or bedroom must be installed inside a closet used solely for the water heater. The closet must have a threshold and a solid door that is weather-stripped. Water heater vent cap must have proper clearance above the roof. Water heater vent cap must be 8’ from any vertical walls or have proper clearance above the roof that is supported by a wall within 8’ of the vent cap. (Direct vent water heaters can be installed according to manufacturer’s instructions.)

Water heaters in attics: The water heater must be within 20’ of the attic access. Permanent steps or a permanent ladder is required into the attic (pull down starts are ok) the attic access and the path to the water heater must be large enough to install the new water heater and remove the old water heater. A light that can be switched from the attic access is required. A 24” wide catwalk to the water heater plat form is required. A 30” x 30” work platform in front of the water heater controls is required. A pan with a drain that terminates outside is required. The vent cap on a gas water heater must be at least 5’ above the draft collar.

City of Garland TX Building Inspections 972-205-2300

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