Relocating passive fresh air intake

[dpz]

I've recently removed a wall separating my furnace room form a storage room, and now I would like to move the fresh air intake pipe farther away from the furnace so I can make full use of the new wall space.

It is now 7 feet from the furnace (left edge of first image), and I would like to move it into the corner of the now enlarged furnace room which is 12 feet from the furnace (second image).

Are there guidelines/limits for distance away, or does it just need to be in the same room?

Alternatively, what about dropping it right in front or behind the water heater?

thanks in advance,
Don.

http://www.magma.ca/~dzimmer/misc/furnace.jpg
http://www.magma.ca/~dzimmer/misc/corner.jpg

[mayguy]

Just as long it's in the same room.. Nothing wrong with it being next to the water heater.. If the room get way too cold, have it spill into a box or something..