A mechanical outside air intake must be located a minimum of _____ feet below a source of contaminant located within _____ feet.

A mechanical outside air intake must be located a minimum of _____ feet below a source of contaminant located within _____ feet.

• A. 10, 3
• B. 3, 10
• C. 10, 5
• D. 3, 3

Answer: (B)

The key idea is to keep outside air intakes out of the path of nearby contaminant sources. Codes specify a minimum vertical offset when a contaminant source is close enough so that the intake isn’t in the same air flow as the source. If a contaminant source is within 10 feet of the outdoor air intake, the intake must be at least 3 feet below the source. This vertical separation helps reduce the chance that pollutants from the source will be drawn into the intake, especially when there are nearby exhausts or other emissions. The other options don’t match this common requirement: either they use the wrong distances or switch the vertical relationship, which wouldn’t provide the same protection.

The key idea is to keep outside air intakes out of the path of nearby contaminant sources. Codes specify a minimum vertical offset when a contaminant source is close enough so that the intake isn’t in the same air flow as the source.

If a contaminant source is within 10 feet of the outdoor air intake, the intake must be at least 3 feet below the source. This vertical separation helps reduce the chance that pollutants from the source will be drawn into the intake, especially when there are nearby exhausts or other emissions. The other options don’t match this common requirement: either they use the wrong distances or switch the vertical relationship, which wouldn’t provide the same protection.