[Canada] What is the reason for the 24inch space in front of a gas furnace? Is it for fire, or ease of access?

We want to move a wall, and we'd like to move it in a way that puts it too close to the front of a furnace. But the wall will have a door in it. 24inch wide furnace, 30inch door centered on the furnace. When you open the door, you've got more than enough space to work. There's also no airflow issues. The furnace is actually backwards in a room, if that makes any sense.

Or is the purpose of the 24inch front clearance something to do with fire code? I could swear i've opened doors in front of furnaces just like what i'm proposing, but cant find any info on it.

Canada resident, if that matters.

submitted by /u/seanbrockest
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