does flex duct in closet need to be covered with drywall? How far from furnace.

[newstudent]

I have two questions:

I am having my duct work moved inside conditioned space. The bedroom lines are being moved inside a closet ceiling. Does this flexduct need to be covered with drywall and framed with 2x4's?

next question.

I noticed the other day that there are two flex ducts running right across the attic furnace, touching the furnace's metal casing. This seems to be a fire hazard, but it's been that way for years. What is recommended distance flex duct needs to be away from furnace. I'd like to get this taken care of at the same time.

Home is in North Carolina.
Thanks.

[martyinlincoln]

Doesn't have to be boxed in but it sure looks whole lot better when it is. The furnace cabinet does not get hot enough to worry about the flex touching, it's only 100 degrees or so.

[papa_jo]

I have mine run though a closet, supply and return lines, but i enclosed them and trimmed out to conceal them