Location of a direct vent propane furnace

[John_M]

Does anyone know of any issues that might be involved (codes specifically) if you locate a smaller type (20,000 to 25,000 btu) of direct vent propane furnace at the bottom of a staircase landing. 

I have a set of winders and I'm having a hard time locating a good spot for my propane furnace.  I tobviously needs to be on an outside wall and because of furniture and kitchen cabinets and other necessities I'm feeling limited in my choices.

I'm just wondering if there is an issue with people walking up/down the stairs?  I suppose someone could fall and hit it, but they could fall and hit the wall too?  I'm sure both would feel unpleasant!

Any concerns I'm not thinking of?  I do have small children, but I was thinking of a real nice quality one like Rinnai.

I would place the heater under the window pictured below.

[MountainDon]

You should check the installation instructions for the heater you are thinking of. Mine came with very explicit required clearances. Installing below a window was not allowed. (Danger of exhaust gases entering the window.)  You can likely download the user manual before purchase, at least I was able to for the one I bought from Northern Tool (not a Rinnai).

There will be required side clearances to windows and other items as well. There are also minimum clearances to interior combustibles such as draperies hanging above.

[MountainDon]

Here's the Rinnai user manual download site

http://www.rinnai.us/customer-support/manuals-literature/

[John_M]

I'm assuming since the front of their brochure shows one under the window, that it must be allright!

Am I over-worried about having it at the base of the stairs?  It would be a good location to help heat the upstairs a bit too?

[MountainDon]

The installation specs state a 12 " min clearance in Canada, 9 inches in the USA, to an operable window.

I can't vouch for the Rinnai but the one I have gets hot enough to cause a burn if one was not careful, other than that I have no comments about the stairs. Other than to ask if you want the heat to go up or stay down. If both, 2 heaters might serve better.

[John_M]

Yeah...I think I need to think a little bit more.  I am primarily heating with a woodstove....just wanted a back-up type system to keep things warm on those "lazy days" like you mentioned Mountain Don.  Like most projects, I tend to overthink things.  The bedrooms upstairs are each gonna have a small electric wallmounted heater, so I guess I'm not worried about heating both with one furnace.  I'm hoping the woodstove will help keep most of the place warm on our weekend trips and the others will just supplement here and there when needed.

[rwanders]

You should be sure and size your heater adequately-----I like to go a little bigger rather then too small and am pretty sure it actually is cheaper to operate in the long run. A good heater retailer or installer can help you with calculating your btu requirements based on what you are building.