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Parking Exhaust health hazard?

M

MikeNJ

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Joined
Aug 14, 2018
Messages
7
Location
NJ
Hi, we are considering purchasing a condo that's located directly above an enclosed garage. The unit has a terrace that sits atop the garage and that terrace has an intake vent pointing at the backyard. The exhaust vent is on the opposite part of the property but also facing the backyard. The parking garage is for 16 cars. Should we be concerned about Carbon monoxide poisoning when our kids are playing in the backyard?

Here's the photo of the terrace with the intake, pointing into the backyard:
vent2c.jpg


Here's a photo of the location of the exhaust, circled in red.
vent1b.jpg


Thank you in advance.
 
Welcome

Will any of the roof top be enclosed , where they play???

I am thinking on the second picture, that is something else???

Because the size of the first picture opening compared to the size of the second picturre opening. Plus location of the second one
 
The first picture, where the person is standing is where the backyard will be. This is where we were told the intake is. There will not be any enclosed rooftop.

The second photo shows where the exhaust vent is on the opposite side of the property. In this picture the person is standing on the terrace of the first picture.
 
Not sure they will put an exhaust within three feet of an openable window. Inhaling any exhaust fumes is a hazard, especially to young, growing children.but a parking structure that small will not produce large amounts of toxic gases.
 
Last edited:
True, i will seek clarification. How noisy and strong is a typical intake vent? Will it draw odors from neighbors having bbqs toward our backyard?
 
I am thinking with an unenclosed roof top area, there should mot be much of a concern.

Not sure which way the wind blows in NJ, according to the news reports all over, anyway, There should be plenty of fresh NJ blowing across the roof top in some direction not to worry about it.


Is the first picture with the stairs going up,,, A stairwell???????????? going down to lower floors?
 
In the second picture

Not in a basement state, but I take it there is a basement below or at where you have the vent circled???

That vent may have something to do with the basement, if there is one.

If there is a nice general contractor for the entire project, you might ask him nicely to show you the mechanical plans, and walk you through all the ducting , exhaust fans, intake, etc, so you can see where and what there is.
 
CDA, in the first picture, the stairwell goes to the terrace/patio of the condo. Where the person is standing is the small backyard. In the second picture, the person is standing on that terrace/patio.

In both pictures, the vent is where the garage is located. There is no basement but the enclosed garage is on the first floor of the condo building.
 
That may explain a few things

Sorry for the question again on the first picture, where the vent is in the wall, Is that a stair going down to lower floors??


I am thinking you have the vents backwards..

I think the first picture is exhaust.
 
cda, in the first picture, where the person is standing there will be grass. That is the backyard area. So if that is an exhaust that would be really bad as that's where kids will be playing/people bb'qing. The stairs lead up to a patio/terrace adjoining the condo. Does that clarify? Thank you for answers!
 
No, inside there I believe is part of the parking garage. There is no stairwell there.
 
Ok

You might confirm if exhaust or intake, I vote for exhaust

Give this a day or two and you should get some more comments

But should be enough air movement all the way around as not to be a problem.
 
cda i agree and think actually the second photo is not the exhaust. The exhaust may actually be behind the fence in the second photo but i am not sure. If that was the case, would your vote for the vent in the first photo being exhaust be different or are you basing your decision on what it looks like? thank you very much.
 
I think you have a different definition of back yard than I do.....


If all 16 cars were all running at the same time and all of them were hooked directly to that exhaust, I still doubt the emissions would be overly dangerous. Possible I guess, but not a worry I'd have were it me. I'd be more worried about living that close to all those other people. :eek:

FWIW: If I had to guess, I'd say both of the openings in your pictures are intakes.
 
Also - the dryer vent directly above the window in your second picture is a code violation, unless that window is fixed/un-openable.
 
MikeNJ said:
cda i agree and think actually the second photo is not the exhaust. The exhaust may actually be behind the fence in the second photo but i am not sure. If that was the case, would your vote for the vent in the first photo being exhaust be different or are you basing your decision on what it looks like? thank you very much.
Click to expand...


Based on inspection by photo

The problem with intakes and exhausts

Code requires them to be certain distance away from property lines and other items.

I think the first picture is exhaust based on being on the roof and the way the louvers look.
 
cda said:
Based on inspection by photo

The problem with intakes and exhausts

Code requires them to be certain distance away from property lines and other items.

I think the first picture is exhaust based on being on the roof and the way the louvers look.
Click to expand...


Could be, but I guess I'd just be surprised if that's where they'd choose to discharge any exhaust from anything. Seems to me it'd be a better place to draw air in than dump it out. Hard to tell from the pics.
 
If car monoxide is a fume, I would think this section of the Mechanical code would apply:
2012 IMC, 501.3.1 Location of exhaust outlets, #1 Fumes

30-ft from property line
10-ft from operable openings into a building, (windows & doors)
6-ft from exterior walls and roofs
10-ft above adjoining grade

501.3.1.1 exhaust openings shall not be directed onto walkways.

Intake Sec. 401.4
 
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Pcinspector1 said:
If car monoxide is a fume, I would think this section of the Mechanical code would apply:
2012 IMC, 501.3.1 Location of exhaust outlets, #1 Fumes

30-ft from property line
10-ft from operable openings into a building, (windows & doors)
6-ft from exterior walls and roofs
10-ft above adjoining grade

501.3.1.1 exhaust openings shall not be directed onto walkways.

Intake Sec. 401.4
Click to expand...

Actually, this would be considered "environmental air". See IMC Chapter 2 Definitions.
 
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