Carbon Monoxide Testing of Combustion Appliances
CO leak test performed on all combustion-based appliances. Repair or replace any appliance that fails.
Spec
Applies uniformly from Certified upward.
Scope
All combustion-based appliances in the dwelling — furnace, boiler, water heater, gas range/oven, gas dryer, and gas fireplace.
Requirements
- 01.
Every combustion appliance must be tested for CO emissions at the flue, draft, and ambient air around the unit.
- 02.
Tests must be performed under worst-case conditions: all exhaust fans running, doors closed (negative-pressure stress test).
- 03.
Any reading above the manufacturer's maximum, or any spillage detected, requires immediate service before certification.
Documentation
Evidence the inspector / Institute will need.
- 01.
Combustion analysis report for each appliance: model, flue CO ppm, draft pressure, and spillage check.
- 02.
List of test conditions (which exhaust fans were running during the worst-case stress test).
Guidance
Why worst-case testing matters
A furnace that vents fine on a calm day can backdraft when the kitchen hood is running. Combustion-zone depressurization is a leading cause of CO incidents in modern tight homes. The worst-case test simulates the conditions where backdrafting will happen first.
Resources
- BPI 1100/1200 — Combustion Safety Test Standard
The protocol most home-performance contractors use for combustion safety testing.