§ 153.18 HEATING STANDARDS.
   (A)   Every building and every dwelling unit shall be weatherproof and capable of being adequately heated, and the heating equipment in every dwelling or dwelling unit shall be maintained in good order and repair.
   (B)   Every dwelling and dwelling unit shall have facilities for providing heat in accordance with either division (B)(1) or (B)(2):
      (1)   Central and electric heating systems. Every central or electric heating system shall be of sufficient capacity so as to heat all habitable rooms, bathrooms and water closet compartments in every dwelling unit to which it is connected to a minimum temperature of sixty-eight (68) degrees Fahrenheit measured at a point three (3) feet above the floor with an outside temperature of twenty (20) degrees Fahrenheit during winter conditions.
      (2)   Other heating facilities. Where a central or electric heating system is not provided, each dwelling shall be provided with sufficient chimneys, flues, or gas vents, whereby heating appliances may be connected, so as to heat all habitable rooms to a minimum temperature of sixty-eight (68) degrees Fahrenheit measured three (3) feet above the floor with an outside temperature of twenty (20) degrees Fahrenheit during winter conditions.
   (C)   All electric, gas and oil heating equipment installed on the premises shall be listed by Underwriters' Laboratories or American Gas Association and installed in accordance with the provisions of the North Carolina Building Code.
   (D)   There shall be no loose bricks in chimneys.
   (E)   There shall be no holes in flues.
   (F)   There shall be no suspended or hanging masonry chimneys.
   (G)   Thimbles shall be grouted in tightly.
   (H)   Thimbles shall not be broken or cracked.
   (I)   Thimbles shall be high enough for stovepipe to rise one-quarter (1/4) inch per foot minimum.
   (J)   The hearth shall be at least sixteen (16) inches deep and eight (8) inches beyond each side of the fireplace opening.
   (K)   No combustible materials shall be within six (6) inches of the top and seven (7) inches of either side of the fireplace opening.
   (L)   Fireplaces shall be enclosed with masonry when the chimney is used as a flue for a stove.
   (M)   A stove shall he within six (6) feet of a thimble serving it.
   (N)   No combustible material shall be within twelve (12) inches of a stovepipe.
   (O)   No stovepipe shall protrude through combustible walls.
   (P)   In multiple dwellings and rooming houses with central heat, the furnace room shall be enclosed with material having at least a one-hour fire protection rating.
   (Q)   Fireplaces shall be used for supplementary heating only and not for basic heat.
(Ord. passed 2-18-92; Am. Ord. O-1999-37, passed 6-15-99; Am. Ord. O-1999-61, passed 10-5-99; O-2001-25, passed 6-19-01; Am. Ord. O-2022-54, passed 7-12-22) Penalty, see § 10.99