What are the requirements for vent terminals extending above the roof?

Author: Krystel Kessler IV  |  Last update: Monday, July 14, 2025

Extensions of vent pipes through a roof shall be terminated at least 12 inches above the roof unless a roof is to be used for any purpose other than weather protection. If a roof is to be used for any purpose other than weather protection, the vent shall be extended at least 7 feet above the roof.

How far should vent pipe extend above roof?

Extensions of vent pipes through a roof shall be terminated at least 2 feet above the roof surface and shall be properly flashed. Where the roof is used for any purpose other than weather protection, the vent pipe shall extend at least 7 feet above the roof surface and shall be properly supported.

What is the code for vent pipes through a roof?

Sheet copper for vent pipe flashings shall conform to ASTM B 152 and shall weigh not less than 8 ounces per square foot (2.5 kg/m 2 ). 903.1 Roof extension. Open vent pipes that extend through a roof shall be terminated not less than 24 inches (610 mm) above the roof.

What is the roof vent rule?

A universally accepted guideline for roof ventilation is the 1/150 ventilation rule. According to this rule, a roof must have ventilation that is at least one square foot for every 150 square feet of attic or crawl space. A minimum of 13.3 square feet of ventilation is needed for a 2,000-square-foot attic.

How far must a vent extend above a roof line before it requires secure bracing?

The international code for vents require a minimum of 6” extension above the roof. The codes in the USA are normally equal from state to state and require them to be 12 inches above the roof.

Gas Venting: Part 1 - Code Requirements for Vents and Chimneys

What is the minimum height that a type B vent must extend above a roof?

For installation of caps 14" and larger, or for caps that are less than 8' from a vertical wall, the cap is to be located no less than 2' above the highest point where the vent passes through the roof and at least 2' higher than any portion of a building within 10'.

What is the 1:150 rule for attic ventilation?

The net free ventilating area shall not be less than 1/150 of the area of the space ventilated, with 50 percent of the required ventilating area provided by ventilators located in the upper portion of the space to be ventilated at least 3 feet (914 mm) above eave or cornice vents with the balance of the required ...

What is the formula for roof venting?

Here it is, a handy shortcut for quick calculations: Attic floor square footage ÷ 2 = square inches of EXHAUST and square inches of INTAKE Net Free Area (NFA) needed. (NFA is the unobstructed area through which air can pass through a vent, usually measured in square inches.

What is the minimum vertical termination height of the vent above the roof?

Vent terminals extending through a wall shall terminate at least 6 inches (152 mm) above the roof and the opening shall face upward. Vent terminals shall not terminate under the overhang of the building. Air admittance valves are not approved for venting of plumbing fixture traps.

What are the restrictions on vent pipes?

Each vent pipe must extend through its flashing and terminate vertically. Vents that extend through the roof must extend undiminished in size, not less than 2 inches above the roof. Vent openings must be at least 3 feet away from any motor-driven air intake that opens into any habitable area.

What is the minimum required height for a vent pipe above a roof used as a promenade?

1.2 Roof used for recreational purposes. Where a roof is to be used for assembly, as a promenade, observation deck or sunbathing deck, or for similar purposes, open vent pipes shall terminate not less than 7 feet (2134 mm) above the roof.

What clearances are required above grade and away from property lines for vent terminations?

The vent termination shall not be mounted directly above or within 3 feet (914 mm) horizontally from an oil tank vent or gas meter. 6. The bottom of the vent termination shall be located at least 12 inches (305 mm) above finished grade. 804.3.

What is the code for roof vent pipes?

The International Plumbing Code (IPC), requires plumbing vent pipes to extend vertically at least 152 mm (6 in.) above a roof, per Section 905.5, "Vent Connections and Grades." Additionally, vent pipes must be at least 305 mm (12 in.) away from a vertical surface.

How high should a vent be above the roof?

Gas vents that are over 12 inches (305 mm) in size or are located less than 8 feet (2438 mm) from a vertical wall or similar obstruction shall terminate not less than 2 feet (610 mm) above the highest point where they pass through the roof and not less than 2 feet (610 mm) above any portion of a building within 10 feet ...

Should roof vent pipes have caps?

Roof vent pipes are not only exposed to the sun, but also to thunderstorms, rain, snow, and more. Therefore, they are more likely to get damaged before their age. However, to increase their durability by up to 20 years, you may cap the roof pipe vent.

What size pipe must go through the roof for venting?

Vent pipes shall be not less than 11/4 inches (32 mm) in diameter. Vents exceeding 40 feet (12 192 mm) in developed length shall be increased by one nominal pipe size for the entire developed length of the vent pipe.

How many roof vents for a 2000 sq ft house?

For a home with 2000 square feet of attic floor space, you'll first divide 2000 by 300 (2000 ÷ 300 = 6.66). You need 6.66 square feet of attic ventilation. Since you want a balanced system, you divide by 2 so that half of the ventilation is intake and half is exhaust.

How much of a gap is needed for a roof vent?

Ideally you want about 3 to 6 inches of space at the top and 3 to 6 inches of space at the bottom. Attic ventilation is simple: you have holes in the bottom of your attic, and holes in the top.

What is the 7 and 7 rule for attics?

This rule means, at least half of your attic space must be 7 feet high by 7 feet wide, with a total of 70 square feet. Keep in mind, codes vary from place to place, but for using the attic as an actual room, this rule typically applies.

What are the requirements for roof venting?

According to the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), a power vent with an airflow rate of 1.0 cubic foot per minute per square foot of attic space measured at the attic floor is generally considered to be equivalent to a 1:150 ventilation ratio.

Can you have too much venting in an attic?

It is absolutely possible the ventilation system on your roof is excessive. Maybe your home is older and prior ventilation was installed by a homeowner, or incorrect vent sizes were used in an older roof layout. Too much ventilation can negatively influence the attic's and home's insulation as well.

Which part of the roof overhang can be vented?

Soffit. Located directly beneath the overhang, the soffit is the horizontal component stretching from the eave's outer edge to the side of the building. Soffits often have vents to facilitate airflow into the attic or roof space, which helps in ventilation and regulating temperature.

What is a vent extension?

The purpose of a vent extender is to redirect the airflow from a heating and air conditioning vent that may be impeded due to furniture placement. If the vent is under a sofa, dresser, or bed, the vent extender will direct the airflow from underneath the furniture blocking proper airflow.

How long can a vent pipe run horizontally?

The typical rule of thumb according to code requires you to run a horizontal pipe for no more than one-third of the total length. However, there are exceptions to this building code: If your minimum pipe size is increased by one pipe size, there are no maximum length limitations implied in the system.

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