All three are HoldRite Quick Stand galvanized steel floor stands, 16 inches tall. Pick by tank size. All were new and in stock on Amazon on Oct 23, 2026, and each scores 7.0 or higher.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
How the three compare on our spec score
Five checks from HoldRite’s spec sheets and the Amazon listings, equal weight. The rules and inputs are in the method section.
PlumbingPicks spec score out of 10, from HoldRite’s spec sheets and instructions and the Amazon listings, read Oct 23, 2026. It is not a customer rating or a load test of our own.
All three carry a published load rating, the same lab-tested-to-code statement on HoldRite’s sheet, and two floor safety clips with fasteners. They differ on whether the stand arrives built, and on whether the Amazon listing’s photos match HoldRite’s drawing.
The score doesn’t rank the sizes against each other. A 34 in. stand isn’t better for a 40 gallon tank; it’s just bigger. Pick the size from the picker below, then read the card.
Each stand, in detail
What HoldRite publishes for each size, what it means for your heater, and where each one lost points.
Best for 40 and 50 gallon tanks
HoldRite 40-S-22-A
HoldRite Quick Stand 40-S-22-A water heater stand, 21-1/2 in. x 21-1/2 in. x 16 in., assembled
Listing photo: Amazon. It shows a center leg that HoldRite’s 22 in. drawing doesn’t have.
21-1/2 × 21-1/2 in.16 in. tall650 lbUp to 52 gal16 ga galvanized15 lb
Buy it if
You have a 30, 40 or 50 gallon tank and want a stand you can set down and use.
Skip it if
Your tank is bigger than 52 gallons, or its base is wider than the 21-1/2 in. top.
The 40-S-22-A is the stand I’d buy for most homes, and I’ve used it. HoldRite rates it at 650 pounds, which it says covers tanks up to 52 U.S. gallons, so a standard 40 or 50 gallon heater fits the rating.
The A at the end means assembled. HoldRite sells the same stand as 40-S-22-U unassembled, but the A version comes ready to set in place, which is why it scored 10 on that check.
HoldRite’s drawing gives the details: a 21-1/2 in. square top and 16 in. overall height. The top is 16 gauge galvanized cold-rolled steel, and so are the four legs. It weighs 15 pounds without packaging.
Two 14 gauge galvanized safety clips and two 1/4 in. by 2-1/2 in. self-drilling lag bolts come in the box, to fasten the legs to the floor. HoldRite’s application drawing calls them seismic clips.
HoldRite says the stand is engineered and lab tested to meet Uniform Plumbing Code and International Plumbing Code requirements, including elevating the water heater’s ignition source 18 inches above the floor.
Note the wording. The stand is 16 inches tall, and it’s the burner or ignition source that has to sit 18 inches up, not the stand top. My call: check your heater’s manual for where its ignition source sits.
Where it lost points: the Amazon listing’s main photo shows a stand with a center leg, and a scale photo marks it 18 in. HoldRite’s drawing for the 40-S-22 shows four legs and 16 in. The listing’s own item data does say 21.5 by 21.5 by 16 inches and 15 pounds, matching HoldRite’s sheet.
My call: measure the base of your heater before you order, and use the picker below. If the base is within an inch of 21-1/2 in., step up to the 24.
Best for tanks up to 100 gallons
HoldRite 40-S-24-U
HoldRite Quick Stand 40-S-24-U water heater stand, 24 in. x 24 in. x 16 in., unassembled
24 × 24 in.16 in. tall1,200 lbUp to 100 gal12 ga top25-1/2 lb
Buy it if
You have a 50 to 100 gallon tank, or a 50 gallon tank whose base is too wide for the 22.
Skip it if
You want it ready to use out of the box. Look for the assembled 40-S-24-A.
The 40-S-24-U is the stand I’d pick for larger tanks, and I’ve used it. HoldRite rates it at 1,200 pounds and says that covers tanks up to 100 U.S. gallons.
HoldRite’s drawing shows a 24 in. square top and a 16 in. overall height, with the legs 14.75 in. below the top and 2.25 in. wide. The top is heavier steel than the 22: 12 gauge galvanized cold-rolled steel, on four 16 gauge legs.
It weighs 25-1/2 pounds without packaging. The kit includes two 14 gauge safety clips, two 1/4 in. by 2-1/2 in. self-drilling lag bolts, and 16 screws with external star washers to put it together.
Like the 22, HoldRite says it’s engineered and lab tested to meet UPC and IPC requirements, including elevating the ignition source 18 inches above the floor.
HoldRite’s brand-written Amazon text adds that the stand can also support other equipment such as tanks, washers and boilers. That listing also mentions concrete or framed walls; HoldRite’s own sheet for this size doesn’t cover wall use.
The extra 2-1/2 inches of top matters more than the load rating for many buyers. A 50 gallon tank that’s wide or has feet near its outer edge sits more securely on a 24 in. top.
Where it lost points: the U means unassembled, so it scored 7 on the assembled check. HoldRite sells a pre-assembled 40-S-24-A, but the U is the one sold by Amazon.com on Oct 23, 2026.
Its listing photos match HoldRite’s drawing: four legs, the square top, and a box graphic showing 24 by 24 inches, up to 100 gallons and 1,200 pounds.
My call: assemble it upside down on a flat floor so the legs line up square, then flip it. Tighten all 16 screws before the heater goes on.
Best for 100 to 120 gallon tanks
HoldRite 40-S-34-U
HoldRite Quick Stand 40-S-34-U heavy duty equipment stand, 34 in. x 34 in. x 16 in., unassembled
Listing graphic: Amazon. Its kit list differs from HoldRite’s instructions.
HoldRite lifetime parts warranty in the instructions
Also rated for other heavy equipment
Cons
Unassembled only
61 lb
Listing kit graphic doesn’t match HoldRite’s parts list
Only 2 left from a third-party seller on Oct 23, 2026
34 × 34 in.16 in. tall2,000 lb100–120 gal11 ga top61 lb
Buy it if
You have a 100 to 120 gallon tank, a commercial heater, or other heavy equipment to raise.
Skip it if
Your tank is 100 gallons or less. The 24 is lighter and easier to place.
The 40-S-34-U is HoldRite’s heavy-duty stand, and I’ve used it. HoldRite rates it at 2,000 pounds, typical for 100 to 120 U.S. gallon tanks and more, and its instructions say that total load includes a 1.5 safety factor.
It’s built differently from the smaller two. The top is 11 gauge galvanized steel, 34 inches square, and there’s a fifth leg in the center on an attachment bracket. It stands 16 inches tall and weighs about 61 pounds.
HoldRite’s instructions list the kit: the top, five 16 in. legs, two floor seismic clips, two 1/4 in. by 2-1/2 in. self-drilling lag screws, 36 hex bolts, 40 nuts, 40 lock washers and the center bracket.
Anchoring is spelled out. To anchor to a concrete or masonry floor, use the seismic clips with concrete or masonry anchors, which are not included. In seismic zones, HoldRite’s preferred position is against a wall.
HoldRite adds a warning worth reading: safe support means more than weight capacity. A big tank can put its feet close to the edge of the stand, so keep a prudent distance from the edge to reduce the chance of tipping.
The same instructions carry a limited warranty: HoldRite will replace parts found defective for the life of the product.
Where it lost points: it’s unassembled only, which scored 7, and the Amazon listing’s box graphic lists four legs, two lag bolts and 16 washers, which doesn’t match HoldRite’s five-leg parts list. The listing also calls it wall mounted; HoldRite calls it a floor stand.
HoldRite lists the tools: two 7/16 in. wrenches or sockets and a #3 Phillips. My call: set the heater on it empty, with a second person, and fill it once it’s connected.
The three stands side by side
From HoldRite’s spec sheets. Scroll sideways on a phone. Prices are in each card and the picks above.
All three are 16 inches tall, galvanized steel, with two floor safety clips. Green marks a strength and amber a tradeoff.
Which stand fits your heater?
Enter the tank’s gallons and the width of its base. It answers from HoldRite’s ratings and top sizes.
The base width is on the heater’s spec sheet as its diameter, or measure across the bottom with a tape. The picker steps up a size when the base would sit within half an inch of the edge. That’s my rule, not HoldRite’s; HoldRite just says to keep a prudent distance from the edge.
Do you need a water heater stand?
Usually only in a garage, and not always there. From the 2024 International Residential Code (IRC).
IRC 2024 section
What it says
What it means for a stand
P2801.6
Water heaters with an ignition source in a garage must have it at least 18 in. above the garage floor
A gas heater in a garage usually needs a stand
P2801.6 exception
Not required for heaters listed as flammable vapor ignition-resistant
Check your heater’s label and manual
M1307.3
Same 18 in. rule for appliances with an ignition source; rooms that open to the garage count as the garage
A utility room off the garage can count too
G2408.2.1
In a separate enclosed space reached only from outside the garage, floor level is allowed if combustion air comes from outside
No stand needed in that setup
M1307.2 / P2801.7
In Seismic Design Categories D0, D1 and D2, water heaters must be anchored or strapped
The stand doesn’t replace seismic straps
The rule is about the ignition source, not the stand. HoldRite’s sheets say its 16 in. stands are engineered to meet the 18 in. ignition-source elevation; the measurement is to the ignition source on the heater, not to the stand top. Your local code and inspector have the final word, and some areas amend these sections.
An electric heater with no ignition source, or a heater in a basement or closet that doesn’t open to a garage, isn’t covered by these sections.
How to set a heater on a stand
HoldRite’s steps for its stands, plus my call on order of work.
1
Drain and disconnect the old heater
Shut off gas or power and water, drain it, and move it out. A heater dolly helps.
2
Build the stand if it’s a U model
HoldRite has you assemble the top upside down on a flat surface, then tighten all hardware.
3
Place it
In seismic zones, HoldRite’s preferred spot for the 34 is against a wall. Keep the consumer label visible.
4
Clip it to the floor
Fasten the two safety clips. On concrete or masonry, HoldRite says to use suitable anchors, not included with the 34.
5
Set the pan and heater
A drain pan goes on the stand top under the heater. Set the heater on empty, with two people, and fill it only after it’s connected.
6
Strap and reconnect
Strap where required, then reconnect water, gas or power and vent, and check for leaks.
Raising a heater 16 inches moves every connection: water lines, gas line, vent and relief valve discharge. Plan new lengths before you start. Our water heater installation kit guide covers the connectors.
The water heater drain pan goes on top of the stand, under the heater. Check the pan’s size against the stand top before you buy both.
Floor stand, wall platform or ceiling platform?
HoldRite also makes hanging Quick Stand platforms for tight spaces. They are a different product from a floor stand, so they aren’t scored here.
HoldRite series
Mounts
Rated for
Pan size
40-S floor stands
Floor
650 to 2,000 lb by size
None; add a pan
40-SWHP
Wall or ceiling
Up to 20 gal or 375 lb
21-1/4 in. square
50-SWHP
Wall or ceiling
Up to 50 gal or 600 lb
26-1/2 in. square
60-SWHP
Wall or ceiling
Up to 50 gal or 750 lb
28-1/2 in. square
HoldRite’s catalog says the ceiling platforms hang from 3/8 or 1/2 in. all-thread rod, and the wall platforms come with rods and brackets and mount to concrete or wood or metal studs. Each has a built-in pan with a drain fitting. Installation instructions come in the box.
My call: a hanging platform is a job for someone who can confirm what the ceiling or wall framing will carry. A floor stand on a slab is the simpler install.
Check the floor under the stand
A stand puts the whole weight on four or five small feet. My call on what to check.
Floor
What to check
Fasteners
Concrete slab (garage)
Level and sound, no big cracks
Masonry or concrete anchors through the clips
Wood subfloor
Joists under the stand; no soft spots
The included self-drilling lag bolts
Tile over wood
Cracked tile can mean flexing below
Drill tile first; check joists
Uneven floor
Rock or gap under a leg
Level it before the heater goes on
The load rating is for the stand, not your floor. A full tank on a framed floor puts real weight on a small area, so if the floor is old or bouncy, have it looked at. HoldRite’s sheets don’t say anything about the floor, so this part is my call.
Stands we checked and left out
These came up on Amazon. Here’s what kept each off the list.
Stand
What we found
Why it’s out
Camco 11231 gas water heater stand
Listing: 21 × 21 × 18 in., 18 gauge, fits up to 22 in. diameter and 50 gal
No load rating; no maker spec page found
SupplyGiant / Everflow GWHS21 and GWHS24
Listing: 18 in. tall, 650 lb, seismic clips
No maker spec sheet found; brand fields differ
IPS Corporation 83181
Listing: 24 × 24 × 18 in., 1,200 lb
No current maker page for this number
HoldRite 40-S-30
1,200 lb on HoldRite’s page; 1,350 lb on its spec sheet
Not sold new on Amazon on Oct 23, 2026
CMI, Oxphanor, Novabright and other stands
Many listings
Lesser-known brands with no maker documents
How to choose in four questions
Question
If yes
If no
Is the heater in a garage, with an ignition source?
You likely need 18 in. ignition elevation
A stand is optional
Is it labeled flammable vapor ignition-resistant?
The IRC exception may apply
Raise it
Is the tank over 52 gallons?
40-S-24-U or 40-S-34-U
40-S-22-A
Is the base within 1 in. of the top size?
Go up a size
That size fits
My call for most homes: a 40 or 50 gallon gas heater in a garage goes on the 40-S-22-A, unless its base is wide. Then the 40-S-24-U.
Questions people ask
Do I need a water heater stand?
In a garage, a heater with an ignition source needs it 18 in. above the floor under IRC P2801.6, unless it’s listed as flammable vapor ignition-resistant. Elsewhere, these sections don’t require one.
What height should a water heater stand be?
The code sets the ignition source at 18 in., not the stand. HoldRite’s stands are 16 in. tall and rated as meeting that 18 in. ignition-source elevation.
How much weight can a water heater stand hold?
HoldRite rates the 40-S-22 at 650 lb, the 40-S-24 at 1,200 lb and the 40-S-34 at 2,000 lb.
What size water heater stand do I need?
Up to 52 gallons: the 21-1/2 in. 40-S-22. Up to 100: the 24 in. 40-S-24. 100 to 120: the 34 in. 40-S-34.
Does an electric water heater need a stand?
The IRC garage sections apply to appliances with an ignition source. Check your heater’s manual and local code.
Do I need a stand for an FVIR water heater?
IRC P2801.6 exempts heaters listed as flammable vapor ignition-resistant from the elevation rule.
How much does a water heater stand cost?
Prices change. Each card shows today’s Amazon price.
Do I still need earthquake straps with a stand?
Yes, where required. IRC P2801.7 requires anchoring in Seismic Design Categories D0, D1 and D2. The stand’s clips hold the stand, not the tank.
Does the drain pan go under or on top of the stand?
On top of the stand, under the heater.
Can a water heater stand go on a wood floor?
HoldRite includes self-drilling lag bolts for the clips. My call: check that the floor framing can carry a full tank.
What are the different types of water heater stands?
Floor stands, wall-mounted platforms and ceiling-hung platforms. HoldRite makes all three.
Is a water heater stand the same as a dolly?
No. A dolly moves the heater; a stand is permanent support.
How we picked these
Why trust me
I’m Isaac Daniels, a licensed journeyman plumber in Georgia (license #JP507711), and I’ve used all three picks. Every spec here comes from HoldRite’s own spec sheets and instructions, read Oct 23, 2026, and the code text from the 2024 IRC. Where I add advice of my own, it’s labeled as my call.
How I pick
One kind of product: stationary floor stands for tank water heaters, from a maker that publishes load ratings, new and in stock on Amazon, checked through Amazon’s product data the same day.
Each listing was matched to HoldRite’s part number and spec sheet.
Each card’s spec score comes from the five checks below. All three score 7.0 or higher.
Stands without a maker load rating were left out.
The spec score, check by check
Each check scores 0 to 10 and counts one fifth. It’s our score from maker documents and listing data, not a customer rating or a load test of our own.
Check (weight)
How it’s scored
Load rating published (⅕)
10 when the maker publishes a pound rating for the model; 5 when not
Code test on spec sheet (⅕)
10 when the maker’s sheet says it’s tested to plumbing code; 7 when not
Floor clips included (⅕)
10 when floor clips and fasteners are in the box; 7 when sold separately
Ships assembled (⅕)
10 for an assembled model; 7 for unassembled
Listing matches sheet (⅕)
10 when the Amazon photos and kit match the maker’s drawing; 7 when they don’t
Total
Average of the checks, to one decimal
Pick
Load
Code
Clips
Assembled
Listing
Score
HoldRite 40-S-22-A
10 (650 lb)
10
10
10 (A)
7 (photo shows center leg, 18 in.)
9.4
HoldRite 40-S-24-U
10 (1,200 lb)
10
10
7 (U)
10
9.4
HoldRite 40-S-34-U
10 (2,000 lb)
10
10
7 (U only)
7 (kit graphic differs)
8.8
Sources
HoldRite (RWC), Quick Stand Water Heater Floor Stand product page and tech specs. Read Oct 23, 2026.
HoldRite, Quick Stand Heavy Duty Equipment Stand 40-S-34-U installation instructions.
HoldRite, Quick Stand Platforms & Stands catalog.
International Code Council, 2024 International Residential Code: M1307.2, M1307.3, P2801.6, P2801.7, G2408.2 and G2408.2.1.
Brand-written Amazon listing text and item data for B01EQY2O8G, B00662MDBU, B0B8M795PG, B000KKU8UC, B07P6T1BTZ, B07P6T1C2J and B005CXF55U, read through Amazon’s product data, Oct 23, 2026.
Google results for “water heater stand”: seen Oct 23, 2026. Search volumes from Semrush, Oct 23, 2026.
