{"id":6581,"date":"2026-01-30T12:20:16","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T20:20:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/?post_type=blog_post&#038;p=6581"},"modified":"2026-01-30T12:20:45","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T20:20:45","slug":"select-hud-nspire-january-2025-newsletter-electric-heater-clearancethe-truth","status":"publish","type":"blog_post","link":"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/blog-post\/select-hud-nspire-january-2025-newsletter-electric-heater-clearancethe-truth\/","title":{"rendered":"Select HUD NSPIRE January 2025 Newsletter: Electric Heater Clearance\u2026the Truth"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Electric Heater Clearance&hellip;the Truth<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><u>2026 NSPIRE WEBINAR TRAINING ANNOUNCEMENT!<\/u><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>HUD-NSPIRE Demystified: A Deep Dive into the New Inspection Process<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>4-Part Series starts February 4<sup>th<\/sup>, 2026 <\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Last chance to register &ndash; Click here:<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/hud-pre-reac-inspections\/hudreacwebinars\/\"><strong>C4N6 Webinar Training<\/strong><\/a><br \/>\n<strong>Click here to check out free, downloadable <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/hud-pre-reac-inspections\/reac-resources\/\"><strong>REAC Resources<\/strong><\/a><br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/div>\n<p>I have to start the year by correcting the misinformation on a video that has been circulating alleging that HUD claims electric heaters are exempt from the 3 foot clearance requirement under the Standard, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/sites\/dfiles\/PIH\/documents\/NSPIRE-Standard-Flammable-and-Combustible-Item_20230620.pdf\">Flammable and Combustible Item Standard<\/a>.&nbsp; This is a LIFE-THREATENING (not Severe) Deficiency.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-file-id=\"3052185\" height=\"88\" src=\"https:\/\/mcusercontent.com\/09ba5c1c1015b2f3c02e52ae8\/images\/666c1b49-7926-fc70-0be4-e4dedbefac0d.png\" style=\"border: 0px  ; width: 600px; height: 88px; margin: 0px;\" width=\"600\" \/><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nThe video showed HUD quoting information from the Standard&hellip;not actually answering his question.&nbsp;<br \/>\n<strong><u>What was the question?<\/u><\/strong><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-file-id=\"3052189\" height=\"333\" src=\"https:\/\/mcusercontent.com\/09ba5c1c1015b2f3c02e52ae8\/images\/34aa93da-d76b-fd6f-7dce-5df9c42d8e9d.png\" style=\"border: 0px  ; width: 600px; height: 333px; margin: 0px;\" width=\"600\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>What was HUD&rsquo;s answer (allegedly)?<\/strong><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-file-id=\"3052190\" height=\"340\" src=\"https:\/\/mcusercontent.com\/09ba5c1c1015b2f3c02e52ae8\/images\/bee24ead-595c-805e-c7a6-4b45df7ef6b8.png\" style=\"border: 0px  ; width: 600px; height: 340px; margin: 0px;\" width=\"600\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>And his interpretation?<\/strong><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-file-id=\"3052193\" height=\"419\" src=\"https:\/\/mcusercontent.com\/09ba5c1c1015b2f3c02e52ae8\/images\/b84686df-c645-7ebd-f72d-b4a580c97c59.png\" style=\"border: 0px  ; width: 600px; height: 419px; margin: 0px;\" width=\"600\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Let me explain&hellip;<\/strong><br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>HUD does indeed state in the Standard the following:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-file-id=\"3052183\" height=\"41\" src=\"https:\/\/mcusercontent.com\/09ba5c1c1015b2f3c02e52ae8\/images\/f61ad0d0-ee5e-7f5a-4f25-70fa37617627.png\" style=\"border: 0px  ; width: 600px; height: 41px; margin: 0px;\" width=\"600\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The key word is COMPONENTS.&nbsp; An electric baseboard or wall heater is an APPLIANCE that contains electrical components.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>If electric baseboard and wall heaters are exempt due to <em>having electrical components<\/em>, then ALMOST EVERY GAS FURNACE would also be exempt because 95% of them need electricity to operate (they have electrical components too)! &nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>This statement is in the Standard for <strong>one reason and one reason only<\/strong>&hellip;because the old UPCS Compilation Bulletin called outlet receptacles, switches, etc. potential ignition sources to be cited under Flammable Materials Improperly Stored.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>2017 UPCS Compilation Bulletin Page 94:<\/strong><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-file-id=\"3052188\" height=\"177\" src=\"https:\/\/mcusercontent.com\/09ba5c1c1015b2f3c02e52ae8\/images\/5d25c399-654e-fefa-7422-4663dc2ca5ee.png\" style=\"border: 0px  ; width: 600px; height: 177px; margin: 0px;\" width=\"600\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>This is why inspectors used to cite hair spray too close to the bathroom outlet!<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Under NSPIRE, HUD no longer wants the inspectors to consider electrical COMPONENTS (i.e. outlet receptacles, switches, breaker panels, lighting) as potential ignition sources.<\/strong><br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li value=\"2\">The deficiency specifically states, &ldquo;&hellip;within 3 ft of an <strong>appliance<\/strong> that provides heat for thermal comfort.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>HUD is very specific on what they consider <strong>appliances that provide heat for thermal comfort<\/strong>.It&rsquo;s an Affirmative Habitability Requirement that a PERMANENT heat source be provided for every unit.<br \/>\n<strong>From the NSPIRE Final Rule, Supplemental:<\/strong><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-file-id=\"3052187\" height=\"437\" src=\"https:\/\/mcusercontent.com\/09ba5c1c1015b2f3c02e52ae8\/images\/5f355dba-dc21-cb41-c0c7-891cb2881a54.png\" style=\"border: 0px  ; width: 600px; height: 437px; margin: 0px;\" width=\"600\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; From the HVAC Standard:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-file-id=\"3052186\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/mcusercontent.com\/09ba5c1c1015b2f3c02e52ae8\/images\/7ec9cd0d-afe9-659d-9f4c-5eba6a19984e.png\" style=\"border: 0px  ; width: 600px; height: 225px; margin: 0px;\" width=\"600\" \/><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<strong>Conclusion?<\/strong><br \/>\nElectric heaters are ABSOLUTELY &ldquo;appliances that provides heat for thermal comfort.&rdquo;<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-file-id=\"3052191\" height=\"139\" src=\"https:\/\/mcusercontent.com\/09ba5c1c1015b2f3c02e52ae8\/images\/3b406657-78b0-b02a-92ec-7769939598fc.png\" style=\"border: 0px  ; width: 600px; height: 139px; margin: 0px;\" width=\"600\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<strong>Why does HUD require 3 Feet Clearance?<\/strong><br \/>\nBecause most of the new electric wall heaters have a 3 feet clearance requirement.&nbsp; Yes, an electric wall heater is considered an APPLIANCE.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-file-id=\"3052192\" height=\"223\" src=\"https:\/\/mcusercontent.com\/09ba5c1c1015b2f3c02e52ae8\/images\/b2502a40-4340-9019-a9dd-d28d4423df5a.png\" style=\"border: 0px  ; width: 600px; height: 223px; margin: 0px;\" width=\"600\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\nMost standard electric baseboard heaters typically have a 12-inch clearance requirement per the manufacturer&rsquo;s instructions, and hydronic (water based) heaters are exempt because they never get hot enough to need fire clearance. Fan-assisted electric baseboard units typically DO have a 3-foot clearance requirement. However, inspectors are not trained on these facts.<br \/>\n<strong>CHECK THE MANUFACTURER&rsquo;S MANUAL!!!<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>If your heaters have less than the 3-feet clearance requirement, you can appeal (or mitigate the deficiency) with the manufacturer&rsquo;s manual showing your clearance requirement is <em>less<\/em> than HUD&rsquo;s Standard and is currently being adhered to.&nbsp; EASY!<\/strong><br \/>\n&nbsp;<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-file-id=\"3052194\" height=\"540\" src=\"https:\/\/mcusercontent.com\/09ba5c1c1015b2f3c02e52ae8\/images\/fe867be9-2511-4926-7115-1c1aa2e5add6.png\" style=\"border: 0px  ; width: 600px; height: 540px; margin: 0px;\" width=\"600\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\nGuess what?&nbsp; When residents purchase PORTABLE electric space heaters&hellip;those are &ldquo;appliances that provide heat for thermal comfort&rdquo; and most of those require 3 feet clearance.&nbsp; You could try an appeal for &ldquo;resident-owned items,&rdquo; but the NSPIRE Final Rule Admin Notice states on Pg 6:<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-file-id=\"3052184\" height=\"83\" src=\"https:\/\/mcusercontent.com\/09ba5c1c1015b2f3c02e52ae8\/images\/9bfa73e3-3752-c67a-bef6-b84741d040a6.png\" style=\"border: 0px  ; width: 600px; height: 83px; margin: 0px;\" width=\"600\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<strong>Resources<\/strong><br \/>\nHUD has PDFs (videos are currently down) on how to appeal and how to close out H&amp;S deficiencies here:<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/reac\/nspire-toolkit\">NSPIRE Toolkit<\/a><br \/>\n<strong>**Remember, if you will be appealing something, <\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>your &ldquo;defect mitigation in 24 hours&rdquo; is that you are appealing&hellip;<u>not that you fixed it<\/u>!**<\/strong><br \/>\nTo subscribe to this free monthly newsletter and read newsletters you may have missed, click here: <a href=\"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/hud-pre-reac-inspections\/hud-assist-blog\/\">C4N6 Newsletter Registration and Archive<\/a><br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Electric Heater Clearance&hellip;the Truth 2026 NSPIRE WEBINAR TRAINING ANNOUNCEMENT! HUD-NSPIRE Demystified: A Deep Dive into the New Inspection Process 4-Part Series starts February 4th, 2026 Last chance to register &ndash; Click here: C4N6 Webinar Training Click here to check out free, downloadable REAC Resources &nbsp; I have to start the year by correcting the misinformation [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6582,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","tags":[],"blog-category":[130],"class_list":["post-6581","blog_post","type-blog_post","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","blog-category-hud-assist"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog_post\/6581","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog_post"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/blog_post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6581"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6582"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6581"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6581"},{"taxonomy":"blog-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog-category?post=6581"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}