Unvented room heaters permits cannot be issued until which permit is obtained?

• A. Permit from the fire department
• B. Building permit from the city
• C. Electrical permit from the utility
• D. Gas company approval

Answer: (A)

Unvented room heaters create significant fire and indoor air quality risks because they burn fuel directly in living spaces and can produce carbon monoxide. Because of these hazards, the fire department conducts a safety review of the proposed installation and issues a permit only after confirming that clearances, installation arrangements, shutoffs, detectors, and other fire-safety measures meet code requirements. That fire department approval serves as a prerequisite before other permits are pursued.

Once the fire department permit is in place, you can move on to the building permit for any structural or installation aspects, the electrical permit if wiring is involved, and any gas company approvals for service and piping. Without the fire department’s clearance, the installation could still pose serious fire and CO risks, so the permit process typically requires that step first.