Heating Appliances And Installations - Miscellaneous - Health & Safety - CA

Section § 19881

This law says you cannot sell unvented heaters meant for use inside homes, unless it's an electric heater or decorative gas logs for a vented fireplace. However, unvented decorative gas logs and fireplaces that use natural gas can be sold if approved by specific state departments. They need to meet developed safety standards, not exceed a development cost of $145,000, and be listed by an approved agency. These standards need to be adopted by the California Building Standards Commission. Additionally, their installation must follow the California Building Standards Code.

(a) No person shall sell, or offer for sale, any new or used unvented heater that is designed to be used inside any dwelling house or unit, with the exception of an electric heater, or decorative gas logs for use in a vented fireplace.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), natural-gas-fueled unvented decorative gas logs and fireplaces may be sold if the Department of Housing and Community Development and the State Department of Health Services approve of their use, and all of the following are satisfied:

(1) The Department of Housing and Community Development and the State Department of Health Services consider and develop recommended standards for their use. The cost of developing these standards may not exceed one hundred forty-five thousand dollars ($145,000).

(2) Natural-gas-fueled unvented decorative gas logs and fireplaces meet the standards developed in accordance with paragraph (1) by the Department of Housing and Community Development and the State Department of Health Services.

(3) The California Building Standards Commission adopts the standards developed in accordance with paragraph (1) and pursuant to Section 18930.

(4) Natural-gas-fueled unvented decorative gas logs and fireplaces are listed by an agency approved by the Department of Housing and Community Development.

(c) Installation of natural-gas-fueled unvented decorative gas logs and fireplaces sold under standards developed pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be in accordance with the California Building Standards Code.

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