Exhaust Fan for Laundry Closet – Required by Code?
Howdy Folks! I’m planning to install a ventless dryer in a laundry closet, which we don’t plan to put a door on (just a pull curtain or something). This is new construction in Island County, Washington.
When we pulled the new construction permit, I thought I was required to have an exhaust fan (in addition to a dryer vent if I was going that route). I’m on the 2015 code cycle.
Am I required to have an exhaust fan in a laundry closet by code? Is it foolish not to? We’ll have a Lunos system for house ventilation, if that matters.
We’ve been using an unpermitted ventless on our main floor in our primary home, and don’t have any issues after 5 years (with no mechanical ventilation).
Cheers!
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Replies
2018 IMC, 504.6 Makeup air.
Installations exhausting more than 200 cfm (0.09 m3/s) shall be provided with makeup air. Where a closet is designed for the installation of a clothes dryer, an opening having an area of not less than 100 square inches (0.0645 m2) shall be provided in the closet enclosure or makeup air shall be provided by other approved means.
Being that a heat pump dryer requires zero make up air, I'd say this rule would not apply. Either way, I'd want a louvred door or no door to dissipate waste heat from the appliance itself. We have ours in an open laundry room.
Leave a few inches or more at the rear and sides of the unit to allow cooling air to exit the appliance.
You will want to be able to access the rear of the unit to vacuum dust from the dryer cooling fan exhaust, and intake louvres (on the cabinet housing) every 3 months or so. If it's stacked, consider installing an access panel accessible from the rear of the closet if possible as this will make this chore a lot easier! These ports will collect dust and lower the efficiency of the unit which is why your user manual suggests regular cleaning.
Thanks folks for the fast response and useful information! Have a great weekend!
hambone8780,
As graham87 posted, make-up air is only required when the installation exhausts more than 200 cfm, and IMC 504.3 specifically excludes condensing clothes dryers from the exhaust requirements.
The way I read this no door equals no closet equals no vent requirement.
“Installations exhausting more than 200 cfm (0.09 m3/s) shall be provided with makeup air. Where a closet is designed for the installation of a clothes dryer, an opening having an area of not less than 100 square inches (0.0645 m2) shall be provided in the closet enclosure or makeup air shall be provided by other approved means.”