Section 310. Chapter 28 Mechanical systems

A. Change Section 2801.1 of the IBC to read:

2801.1 Scope. Mechanical appliances, equipment and systems shall be constructed and installed in accordance with this chapter, the IMC and the IFGC. Masonry chimneys, fireplaces and barbecues shall comply with the IMC and Chapter 21 of this code.

Exception: This code shall not govern the construction of water heaters, boilers and pressure vessels to the extent which they are regulated by the Virginia Boiler and Pressure Vessel Regulations (16VAC25-50). However, the building official may require the owner of a structure to submit documentation to substantiate compliance with those regulations.

B. Add Section 2801.1.1 to the IBC to read:

2801.1.1 Required heating in dwelling units. Heating facilities shall be required in every dwelling unit or portion thereof which is to be rented, leased or let on terms, either expressed or implied, to furnish heat to the occupants thereof. The heating facilities shall be capable of maintaining the room temperature at 65°F (18°C) during the period from October 15 to May 1 during the hours between 6:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. of each day and not less than 60°F (16°C) during other hours when measured at a point three feet (914 mm) above the floor and three feet (914 mm) from the exterior walls. The capability of the heating system shall be based on the outside design temperature required for the locality by this code.

C. Add Section 2801.1.2 to the IBC to read:

2801.1.2 Required heating in nonresidential structures. Heating facilities shall be required in every enclosed occupied space in nonresidential structures. The heating facilities shall be capable of producing sufficient heat during the period from October 1 to May 15 to maintain a temperature of not less than 65°F (18°C) during all working hours. The required room temperature shall be measured at a point three feet (914 mm) above the floor and three feet (914 mm) from the exterior walls.

Processing, storage and operation areas that require cooling or special temperature conditions and areas in which persons are primarily engaged in vigorous physical activities are exempt from these requirements.

D. Add Section 2801.1.3 to the IBC to read:

2801.1.3 Changes to the IMC. The following changes shall be made to the IMC:

1. Change Section 403.3 of the IMC to read:

403.3 Outdoor airflow rate. Ventilation systems shall be designed to have the capacity to supply the minimum outdoor airflow rate determined in accordance with this section. The occupant load utilized for design of the ventilation system shall not be less than the number determined from the estimated maximum occupant load rate indicated in Table 403.3. Ventilation rates for occupancies not represented in Table 403.3 shall be those for a listed occupancy classification that is most similar in terms of occupant density, activities and building construction; or shall be determined by an approved engineering analysis. The ventilation system shall be designed to supply the required rate of ventilation air continuously during the period the building is occupied, except as otherwise stated in other provisions of the code.

With the exception of smoking lounges and other designated areas where smoking is permitted, the ventilation rates in Table 403.3 are based on the absence of smoking in occupiable spaces.

Exception: The occupant load is not required to be determined based on the estimated maximum occupant load rate indicated in Table 403.3 where approved statistical data document the accuracy of an alternate anticipated occupant density.

2. Add the following areas to Table 403.3 of the IMC in the occupancy classifications shown:

	OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION	Occupant Density #/1000 ft2 a	People Outdoor Airflow Rate in Breathing Zone, Rp cfm/person	Area Outdoor Airflow Rate in Breathing Zone, Ra cfm/ft2a	Exhaust Airflow Rate Cfm/ft2a
	Food and beverage service
	Bars or cocktail lounges designated as an area where smoking is permittedb	100	30	-	-
	Cafeteria or fast food designated as an area where smoking is permittedb	100	20	-	-
	Dining rooms designated as an area where smoking is permittedb	70	20	-	-
	Public spaces
	Lounges designated as an area where smoking is permittedb	100	30	-	-

3. Change Section 505.1 of the IMC to read:

505.1 Domestic systems. Where domestic range hoods and domestic appliances equipped with downdraft exhaust are provided, such hoods and appliances shall discharge to the outdoors through sheet metal ducts constructed of galvanized steel, stainless steel, aluminum, or copper. Such ducts shall have smooth inner walls, shall be air tight, shall be equipped with a backdraft damper, and shall be independent of all other exhaust systems.

Exceptions:

1. In Group R buildings, where installed in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions and where mechanical or natural ventilation is otherwise provided in accordance with Chapter 4, listed and labeled ductless range hoods shall not be required to discharge to the outdoors.

2. Ducts for domestic kitchen cooking appliances equipped with downdraft exhaust systems shall be permitted to be constructed of Schedule 40 PVC pipe and fittings provided that the installation complies with all of the following:

2.1. The PVC duct shall be installed under a concrete slab poured on grade.

2.2. The underfloor trench in which the PVC duct is installed shall be completely backfilled with sand or gravel.

2.3. The PVC duct shall extend not more than 1 inch (25 mm) above the indoor concrete floor surface.

2.4. The PVC duct shall extend not more than 1 inch (25 mm) above grade outside of the building.

2.5. The PVC duct shall be solvent cemented.

4. Add Section 505.3 to the IMC to read:

505.3 Other than Group R. In other than Group R occupancies, where electric domestic cooking appliances are utilized for domestic purposes, such appliances shall be provided with domestic range hoods. Hoods and exhaust systems for such electric domestic cooking appliances shall be in accordance with Sections 505.1 and 505.2. In other than Group R occupancies, where fuel-fired domestic cooking appliances are utilized for domestic purposes, a Type I or Type II hood shall be provided as required for the type of appliances and processes in accordance with Section 507.2.

5. Change Section 507.2.3 of the IMC to read:

507.2.3 Domestic cooking appliances used for commercial purposes. Domestic cooking appliances utilized for commercial purposes shall be provided with a Type I or Type II hood as required for the type of appliances and processes in accordance with Sections 507.2, 507.2.1, and 507.2.2. Domestic cooking appliances utilized for domestic purposes shall comply with Section 505.

6. Change Section 908.5 of the IMC to read:

908.5 Water supply. Cooling towers, evaporative coolers, and fluid coolers shall be provided with an approved water supply and sized for peak demand. The quality of the water shall be provided in accordance the equipment manufacturer's recommendations. The piping system and protection of the potable water supply shall be installed as required by the IPC.

7. Change Item 4 of Section 928.1 of the IMC to read:

4. Be provided with an approved water supply and sized for peak demand. The quality of the water shall be provided in accordance the equipment manufacturer's recommendations. The piping system and protection of the potable water supply shall be installed as required by the IPC.

E. Add Section 2801.1.4 to the IBC to read:

2801.1.4 Changes to the IFGC. The following changes shall be made to the IFGC:

1. Change Section 301.1 of the IFGC to read:

301.1 Scope. This code shall apply to the installation of fuel gas piping systems, fuel gas utilization equipment, and related accessories as follows:

1. Coverage of piping systems shall extend from the point of delivery to the connections with gas utilization equipment. (See "point of delivery.")

2. Systems with an operating pressure of 125 psig (862 kPa gauge) or less.

Piping systems for gas-air mixtures within the flammable range with an operating pressure of 10 psig (69 kPa gauge) or less.

LP-Gas piping systems with an operating pressure of 20 psig (140 kPa gauge) or less.

3. Piping systems requirements shall include design, materials, components, fabrication, assembly, installation, testing and inspection.

4. Requirements for gas utilization equipment and related accessories shall include installation, combustion and ventilation air and venting.

This code shall not apply to the following:

1. Portable LP-Gas equipment of all types that are not connected to a fixed fuel piping system.

2. Installation of farm equipment such as brooders, dehydrators, dryers, and irrigation equipment.

3. Raw material (feedstock) applications except for piping to special atmosphere generators.

4. Oxygen-fuel gas cutting and welding systems.

5. Industrial gas applications using gases such as acetylene and acetylenic compounds, hydrogen, ammonia, carbon monoxide, oxygen, and nitrogen.

6. Petroleum refineries, pipeline compressor or pumping stations, loading terminals, compounding plants, refinery tank farms, and natural gas processing plants.

7. Integrated chemical plants or portions of such plants where flammable or combustible liquids or gases are produced by chemical reactions or used in chemical reactions.

8. LP-Gas installations at utility gas plants.

9. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) installations.

10. Fuel gas piping in power and atomic energy plants.

11. Proprietary items of equipment, apparatus, or instruments such as gas generating sets, compressors, and calorimeters.

12. LP-Gas equipment for vaporization, gas mixing, and gas manufacturing.

13. Temporary LP-Gas piping for buildings under construction or renovation that is not to become part of the permanent piping system.

14. Installation of LP-Gas systems for railroad switch heating.

15. Installation of LP-Gas and compressed natural gas (CNG) systems on vehicles.

16. Except as provided in Section 401.1.1, gas piping, meters, gas pressure regulators, and other appurtenances used by the serving gas supplier in the distribution of gas, other than undiluted LP-Gas.

17. Building design and construction, except as specified herein.

2. Add Section 404.11.3 to the IFGC to read:

404.11.3 Coating application. Joints in gas piping systems shall not be coated prior to testing and approval.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 22, Issue 03, eff. November 16, 2005; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 14, eff. May 1, 2008; Errata, 24:17 VA.R. April 28, 2008; amended, Virginia Register Volume 27, Issue 02, eff. March 1, 2011; Change in Effective Date, 27:5 VA.R. 534 November 8, 2010; amended, Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 16, eff. July 14, 2014.

Statutory Authority

§ 36-98 of the Code of Virginia.