Gas Dryer Clearance Requirements (Back, Sides, Meridian & Bottom)

Something I never realized I had to regard when it came to running my ain dwelling is clearances. Growing upwardly, appliances would come up into the household too would “magically” live installed merely correct.

Now I have to do the “magic”, which way agreement there’sec more to place than what looks expert. Gas dryers must be inward an appropriate location where in that location is infinite for all the connections too it is out of attain of combustible items. To ensure this, yous postulate to sympathize where together with what the clearances are.

The IRC refers to the clearances from the manufacturer. Although these tin differ, typically, at that place must be at to the lowest degree one" for the sides too vi" for the dorsum. A minimum of 18" is necessary from the meridian of the dryer in addition to betwixt the bottom together with a garage flooring.

Building Codes Direct You to Manufacturer

The International Residential Code (IRC), Section G2408.5, states that oestrus-producing appliances must be installed amongst clearances from combustible materials as specified by the manufacturer.

These clearances include infinite for doors, windows, together with drawers that open up, as well every bit shelves and other overhead items. Thus, y'all cannot order y'all never open that closet door, so it doesn’t count. Anything that compromises the clearances is not code-compliant.

So, allow’sec meet what the manufacturer instructions order on the affair of gas dryer clearances since they are important to ensure in that location is proper space around the dryer for airflow, ventilation, in addition to servicing.

I looked at different models from several manufacturers (Whirlpool, LG, Speed Queen, Samsung, in addition to Kenmore) to found the common clearances, or reach of clearances, for dryers.

Back Clearance for Gas Dryers

Clearance from the dorsum of the dryer is measured from the back panel of the casing to the wall or the back of the cabinet behind it.

Range of Minimum Clearances from Rear/Back of Dryer	Typical Minimum Clearance from Rear/Back of Dryer
0”*-half dozen”	vi”

*0” clearance may be allowable if the dryer is directly-dorsum vented. So, the vent goes direct out of the dorsum and travels horizontally to the external last betoken.

Range of Minimum Clearances from Rear_Back of Gas Dryer illustration.jpg

When it comes to clearance at the dorsum, at that place are dryers that need no infinite. However, the space is necessary for attaching the connections as well as ducting at the dorsum. Since gas dryers must live vented, y'all volition ask closer to 6” (152 mm).

Side Clearance for Gas Dryers

The sides are similar; it is measured from the side of the casing to whatsoever is around the dryer.

Range of Minimum Clearances for Sides of Dryer	Typical Minimum Clearance for Sides of Dryer
0”-one”	i”

Range of Minimum Clearances for Sides of Gas Dryer illustration

Many manufacturers state that spell 0” clearance is required, they recommend a minimum of ane” (25 mm).

The side clearances are primarily associated with how much dissonance your dryer will brand, as well equally helping to promote airflow around the appliance.

Manufacturers indicate that in that location is a noise-reduction benefit to adding even i” onto the distance from the sides of cabinets in addition to counters.

Dryers are non motionless in their operation too banging against the surfaces about them will brand a racket.

So, go on inwards heed that the absolute minimum clearance is not e'er the best 1; it exclusively agency the dryer has been tested as well as approved nether such conditions.

Top Clearance for Gas Dryers

The superlative clearance is typically measured from the casing, only it mightiness live from the control of a front-loading blueprint if the manufacturer specifies.

Range of Minimum Clearances from Top of Dryer	Typical Minimum Clearance from Top of Dryer
17”-18”	eighteen”

Range of Minimum Clearances from Top of Gas Dryer illustration

The tiptop clearance can live different if you lot are installing it in a cabinet or if you are planning to stack the dryer. However, the higher up numbers show what is ordinarily required if y'all are installing your drying gratis-standing or inward a closet/recessed area.

Something to accept greenback of is where the lint filter is. If your lint filter is located at the pinnacle of your dryer, you mightiness postulate more room to go far easier to monitor, make clean, together with supercede the filter.

Bottom/Floor Clearance for Gas Dryers

When yous are measurement for clearance as well as leveling the dryer’s feet, think to account for any molding or raised section of the flooring. A gentle gradient (i” gradient) is mostly fine to install the dryer on.

Range of Minimum Clearance from Bottom of Dryer to Garage Floor*	Typical Minimum Clearance from Bottom of Dryer to Garage Floor
18”	xviii”

*All the manufacturers included inward this enquiry indicated a minimum clearance for a dryer installed inwards a garage just zilch for bottom clearances otherwise.

Range of Minimum Clearance from Bottom of Gas Dryer to Garage Floor illustration

If yous are worried virtually using a pedestal, there is no involve. The pedestal accessory won’t bear upon your bottom clearance code compliance as long every bit there is however 18” (457 mm) between the actual motorcar as well as the garage flooring.

If you are wondering why a dryer needs to be elevated like this, it is because a gas dryer has an ignition origin. The appliance too its heat must be kept away from whatsoever potential fuels too flammable substances that yous tin more than commonly notice on garage floors.

How to Find the Listed Clearances

You need the installation teaching manual from the manufacturer for your model dryer.

If y'all cannot locate the booklet that came amongst the dryer, nearly manuals are available online. You but necessitate to expect your model upwardly on the make website. There volition be a section to download the one pertaining to installation instructions or the possessor’sec manual (frequently under “Manuals” or “Support”).

Note: this can differ; I establish the installation instructions for approximately Kenmore dryers under the cite “Product Data Sheet”.

You are looking for a section referring to the position or location of the dryer, so function the tabular array of contents to observe the correct page.

It is ever best to confirm the clearances for your specific dryer model to ensure that in that location are no established exceptions or recommendations that yous should follow, specially if you lot are following a specific installation method similar stacking.

Although, if diagrams are exclusively used to demo the clearances, it tin be comforting to observe out that your interpretations seem correct.