What is the minimum side-to-side clearance for air intake relative to exhaust vents?

What is the minimum side-to-side clearance for air intake relative to exhaust vents?

• A. 0.5 m
• B. 1 m
• C. 2 m
• D. 3 m

Answer: (B)

Keeping air intakes and exhaust vents separate prevents exhaust gases from being drawn back into the building. If they’re too close, wind and pressure differences can cause backdrafting, letting combustion byproducts, moisture, or odors enter the indoors and reducing appliance efficiency. A one-meter (about three feet) gap is a common minimum sideline clearance that provides a safe buffer for air flows to stay separate. Distances shorter than that raise the risk of backdraft, while larger gaps are sometimes used in tighter or windier locations but aren’t usually required as the minimum. So, maintain about one meter of space between an exterior air intake and any nearby exhaust vent.

Keeping air intakes and exhaust vents separate prevents exhaust gases from being drawn back into the building. If they’re too close, wind and pressure differences can cause backdrafting, letting combustion byproducts, moisture, or odors enter the indoors and reducing appliance efficiency. A one-meter (about three feet) gap is a common minimum sideline clearance that provides a safe buffer for air flows to stay separate. Distances shorter than that raise the risk of backdraft, while larger gaps are sometimes used in tighter or windier locations but aren’t usually required as the minimum. So, maintain about one meter of space between an exterior air intake and any nearby exhaust vent.