Placement of Standby Generator to
REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE
Requirements:
NFPA 37 2010, section 4. 1. 4, Engines Located
Outdoors. Engines, and their weatherproof housings
if provided, that are installed outdoors shall be located
at least 1.5m (5 ft) from openings in walls and at least
1.5 m (5 ft) from structures having combustible walls. A
minimum separation shall not be required where either of
the following conditions exist:
1. The adjacent wall of the structure has a fire
resistance rating of at least 1 hour.
2. The weatherproof enclosure is constructed
of noncombustible materials and it has been
demonstrated that a fire within the enclosure will not
ignite combustible materials outside the enclosure. *
Annex A Explanatory Material
A.4.1.4 (2) Means of demonstrating compliance
are by means of full-scale fire tests or by calculation
procedures, such as those given in NFPA 555, Guide on
Methods for Evaluating Potential for Room Flashover.
To comply with condition 2 above the weatherproof
enclosure has been constructed completely of non-
combustible materials and full-scale fire tests have been
conducted to demonstrate that a fire within the enclosure
will not ignite combustible materials outside the enclosure.
D
18 in.
(45.7 cm) min.
5 ft (1.5 m)
D
5 ft (1.5 m)
Exhaust
Direction
A
Legend for Generator Locations to reduce the risk
of fire.
A Standby weatherproof enclosure must be at least 5 ft
(1.5 m) from windows, doors, any wall opening, shrubs
or vegetation over 12 inches (30.5 cm) in height.
B Exhaust outlet side of weatherproof enclosure must
have at least 5 ft (1.5 m) minimum clearance from any
structure, shrubs, trees or any kind of vegetation.
12
A
B
WARNING Exhaust heat/gases could ignite
combustibles or structures resulting in death,
serious injury and/or property damage.
• Exhaust outlet side of weatherproof enclosure must
have at least 5 ft. (1.5 m) minimum clearance from any
structure, shrubs, trees or any kind of vegetation.
• Standby generator weatherproof enclosure must be at
least 5 ft. (1.5 m) from windows, doors, any wall opening,
shrubs or vegetation over 12 inches (30.5 cm) in height.
• Standby generator weatherproof enclosure must have
a minimum of 5 ft. (1.5 m) overhead clearance from
any structure, overhang or trees.
• DO NOT place weatherproof enclosure under a deck
or other type of structure that may confine airflow.
• Use only flexible fuel line provided. Connect provided
fuel line to generator, DO NOT use with or substitute
any other flexible fuel line.
• Smoke detector(s) MUST be installed and maintained
indoors according to the manufacturer's instructions/
recommendations. Carbon monoxide alarms cannot
detect smoke.
• DO NOT place weatherproof enclosure in manner
other than shown in illustrations.
NOTICE The figures below demonstrate the minimum
installation distances allowed to structures and items
shown in legend.
Exhaust
Direction
C
B
C Standby weatherproof enclosure must have a
minimum of 5 feet (1.5 m) overhead clearance from
any structure, overhang or trees.
D Standby Weatherproof enclosure must have a
minimum of 18 inches (45.7 cm) clearance from any
structures with or without a fire rating.
NOTICE DO NOT place weatherproof enclosure under a
deck or other type of covered structure that may confine
airflow.
A
5 ft (1.5 m)
A
A
Standby