Stand required?

[brangus.tx]

Can someone please clarify the requirement for a water heater stand? I'm in San Antonio. I'm told the reason for the requirement is to keep the ignition source above any lingering gas fumes in the garage. Yes mine is in the garage. If this is the reason, then should it apply to electric units? I'd like to lower my stand to about 12" from the floor. The new replacement WH I want to get is several inches higher than the old. My other option is to get a shorter fat tank but requires a new drip pan and a wider stand. I think it would be easier to cut about 6" off the legs of the stand. If I try to sell my house in a few years, will that be a problem? - Charlie

 

[havasu]

It would be best to contact your city inspectors for clarification. I know in Cal, we need to have garage kept natural gas and propane water heaters up on an 18" stand, primarily due to gas fumes from cars. With electric, this is not necessary.

 

[breplum]

Electric units have never been a source of ignition, though raising off the ground can prevent damage.
The gas ignition prevention issue pretty much went away when the requirement for FVIR came around. Residential water heaters manufactured after 2003 are “F.V.I.R.” (Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistant) compliant.
But, the 18" off-the-ground rule never was removed...so, until it is removed from codes, it remains and nobody at IAPMO has moved to have it deleted, yet.
Charlie, they sell shorter WHs.

 

[brangus.tx]

Figures. I was hoping there was an option to eliminate the stand for electric WH. Thanks for the reply.

 

[GReynolds929]

2021 UPC 507.13 clarifies that unless FVIR certified water heater ignition devices must be elevated 18" above the floor. I interpret that to mean that if FVIR certified (which all residential water heaters built after 2003 are, as @breplum stated) no stand is required. I would double check with your local AHJ to be safe, but should be good to go.