Most of the time when we think of safety with gas or gas equipment, we think of open flames and fire. But we should also be thinking about heat transfer that can cause fire as well. Specifically, the exhaust pipes for these appliances— as a majority of the time these can go unnoticed.
Yes, there is a flame which is contained most of the time, but our exhaust pipes are out in the open. Any metal exhaust vent is supposed to have clearance around it from any combustibles, so when in a closet or garage, it is emphasized to keep combustible items clear of the exhaust venting.
As time has gone on, specifically with furnaces, the Federal Government has begun requiring different types of venting in order to cut down on fire hazards. If you have a 90%+ efficient system you will most likely have PVC for your exhaust. Some water heaters will also have PVC pipes, but mostly when you have a tankless/on-demand water heater. We still want to make sure that the areas around the vents and exhausts are clear, as even with the better metal pipes you can still burn combustibles over time. PVC pipes can also leak condensation onto your belongings, which can damage them.
Regardless of whether you have an older appliance, or a newer one, standard efficiency or high efficiency, keeping the area clear around the appliances, venting and exhausts is always best practice for safety.
Cruzin Bee LLC 