Platform Decks

Water heater platforms any regulations on sheathing size per IRC 2006?

An inspector had red tagged me for stacking two 7/16" OSB on a water heater platform in the garage. He said that it needed floor decking material minimum 5/8". I figured my 2- 7/16" OSB is thicker than one 5/8" OSB. I was just wondering if there was anything in the code (IRC 2006) that said otherwise. I just wanted to prove the AHJ WRONG....get a little satisfaction....but if not i guess i will have to change the platform

Public Comments

1. I don't know much about this but my husband just put a new heater in our basement & he was going to build a platform like the one the last one had. We called the 800 number on the water heater & they said he did not need to do that. I know they are not inspector's but it is no harm in calling some of the 800 numbers to see what they have to say.
2. Allthough we are not Plumbing Contractors, we have installed our share of water heaters. I believe that you have exceeded the 5/8" requirement, which by the way, I had never heard of before. I do know you have to be 18" above the floor in a garage. If the two pieces of OSB are glued or fastened together so that they can't shift; I think your inspector is being unreasonable. If you know an architect or engineer that would give a letter stating that you exceeded their requirement, he would let it go. You might also try a plumbing supply house to see if they have the chapter and verse that the Inspector is quoting. Inspectors oftentimes have the "juice" to nit pik. I'm glad we don't have that issue in my area. They would be more concerned with whether or not you could knock it off the platform.