HVAC Journeyman Practice Exam

What is the volume threshold for a room to be considered a confined space?

1. Less than 500 cubic feet per 1,000 Btu/h

2. Less than 1,000 cubic feet per 1,000 Btu/h

3. Less than 1,500 cubic feet per 1,000 Btu/h

4. Less than 2,000 cubic feet per 1,000 Btu/h

The correct answer is: Less than 500 cubic feet per 1,000 Btu/h

A room is considered a confined space when its volume does not provide adequate space for the combustion air needed for appliances, particularly those that require ventilation for safe operation. The threshold of less than 500 cubic feet of room volume per 1,000 Btu/h of the appliance's input capacity is a critical measure. This means that if the room's volume is below this threshold, it may not have sufficient air to support combustion processes without risking inadequate air supply or creating dangerous conditions, such as backdrafting or carbon monoxide buildup. In practice, ensuring that there is enough space allows for the proper flow of air, which is essential for the efficiency and safety of heating equipment. This 500 cubic feet per 1,000 Btu/h benchmark is used as a guideline to identify whether auxiliary ventilation or other modifications are needed to ensure safe operation in confined spaces. The larger volumes indicated by the other options would signify that the space is adequately ventilated and thus would not meet the criteria for being classified as confined.