Does code compliance always supersede manufacturer requirements?

Scenario: IRC 2015 only mentions the height of an overhead exhaust hood is required to be no less than 24 inches from the cooking surface.

Manufacturer of installed exhaust hood states vent shall be installed between 24” with a max of 30”.

The vent hood was installed by builder at 36”.

My thoughts are that the IRC would be the standard and that the manufacturers numbers are more of a recommendation. If you were the homeowner would you feel the builder is required to do anything?

This post was edited on 9/14/20 at 6:48 pm

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Posted by East Coast Band

Member since Nov 2010

62812 posts

Posted on 9/14/20 at 7:12 pm to Lazy But Talented

I'm certain that they put those dimensions for effectiveness of the product. Obviously you can't have it too close, hence the 24 inches. But, this exhaust may be weaker and is ineffective/unuseful at greater than 30".

This post was edited on 9/14/20 at 7:13 pm

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Posted by turkish

Member since Aug 2016

1762 posts

Posted on 9/14/20 at 7:20 pm to Lazy But Talented

Honestly, it sounds like the builder put it in a useful location, ergonomics-wise, and met the safety requirements of code. I can’t imagine a vent less than 30” from the cooktop. You’d hit your head every time you cooked.

I know nothing about building code, but it sounds like the code is just trying to keep the hood from getting scorched by the cooktop. Safety over functionality. Which seems reasonable to me.

If anything the builder is guilty of picking a weak vent fan. Someone did.

This post was edited on 9/14/20 at 7:23 pm

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Posted by jmkidder

lafayette

Member since Sep 2005

476 posts

Posted on 9/14/20 at 8:06 pm to Lazy But Talented

Usually code will follow manufacture requirements. They will want to see documents. Also most inspectors will be willing to talk to you about what they want before inspection is made. Reach out and talk to them.

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Posted by Art Vandelay

LOUISIANA

Member since Sep 2005

10702 posts

Posted on 9/14/20 at 9:42 pm to jmkidder

I’ve never met an inspector that have a shite about vent hood height

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Posted by Lazy But Talented

Member since Aug 2011

14451 posts

Posted on 9/14/20 at 9:55 pm to Art Vandelay

Neither have I until recently. Now I’ve got some homeowners and it is all of a sudden their biggest concern because an inspector mentioned it at an 11 month inspection...after a year of cooking in their house with no issues.

This post was edited on 9/14/20 at 9:57 pm

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Posted by notsince98

KC, MO

Member since Oct 2012

18005 posts

Posted on 9/15/20 at 8:48 am to Lazy But Talented

Sounds like the builder went cheap and used an underpowered hood mounted too high for its capability.

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Posted by keakar

Member since Jan 2017

30048 posts

Posted on 9/15/20 at 9:56 am to Lazy But Talented

they put it higher so it would look better and make the kitchen seem more open and spacious

i wouldnt worry about it unless you have issues with weak venting. im sure that there is a high probably it will be weaker then designed, but it may not be an issue

as far as code, you will have to meet code to sell the house so you or the buyers can address it then. in the mean time you may need to replace it at some point before you sell and can address it then

This post was edited on 9/15/20 at 10:25 am

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Posted by Pintail