TOPIC: Elevated water heater question.

I inspected a condo in Rancho Santa Margarita California where the water heater was located in an interior hallway on the first floor of a slab construction building. An FHA appraiser is now holding up the close of escrow because he says the w/h has to be elevated 18" from the floor. Can anybody shed any light on this 'supposed' requirement?

The CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE, CHAPTER 5  on water heaters states:

508.14 Installation in residential garages

(1) Gas utilization appliances in residential garages and in adjacent spaces that open to the garage and are not part of the living space of a dwelling unit shall be installed so the the burners and burner ignition devices are located not less than (18?) (450mm) above the floor unless listed as flammable vapor ignition resistant.

By your description, he is an imbecile. An interior hallway, unless adjacent and opening to the garage, is not an issue. 

One question that you only inferred the answer... Gas or electric? If electric, it's another non-issue.