Chapter 15.28 MECHANICAL CODE

Chapter 15.28
MECHANICAL CODE

Sections:

15.28.040 Local amendments to the International Mechanical Code, 2018 Edition.

15.28.010 Adoption.

The code known as the International Mechanical Code, 2018 Edition, as published by the International Conference of Building Officials, together with the local amendments as set forth in NPMC 15.28.040, shall constitute the laws of the City relating to building regulations. Where the International Mechanical Code conflicts with this code, this code shall prevail. An electronic copy of the International Mechanical Code is retained at the City offices. (Ord. 22-02 § 2, 2022; Ord. 17-12 § 2(C), 2017; Ord. 12-09 § 2, 2012)

15.28.020 Modifications.

The Building Official shall have the power to modify any of the provisions of the International Mechanical Code adopted by this chapter upon application in writing by the owner or lessee or his duly authorized agent, when there are practical difficulties in the way of carrying out the strict letter of the code; provided, that the spirit of the code is observed, public safety secured, and substantial justice done. The particulars of the modification, when granted or allowed, and the decision of the Building Official thereon shall be entered upon the records of the Department, and a signed copy shall be furnished the applicant. (Ord. 22-02 § 2, 2022; Ord. 17-12 § 2(C), 2017; Ord. 12-09 § 2, 2012)

15.28.030 Appeals.

Whenever the Building Official disapproves an application or refuses to grant a permit applied for, or when it is claimed that the provisions of the code have been misconstrued or wrongly interpreted, the applicant may appeal from the decisions of the Building Official to the Mayor/City Manager within thirty days from the date of the decision. The appointment of the appeals board will be on a case-by-case basis with the members of said board comprised of local design professionals, contractors, inspectors or other members of the public deemed knowledgeable of the subject matter by the Mayor/City Manager. (Ord. 22-02 § 2, 2022; Ord. 17-12 § 2(C), 2017; Ord. 12-09 § 2, 2012)

15.28.040 Local amendments to the International Mechanical Code, 2018 Edition.

The amendments to the International Mechanical Code, 2018 Edition, as published by the International Conference of Building Officials, are hereby adopted by the City of North Pole as follows:

The International Mechanical Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby amended as follows:

Section 101.2.1, Appendices. Add the following to this section:

Appendix A as amended by the combustion air provisions of chapter 7 is hereby adopted.

Except for sections 101, 102, and the following amendments, delete Chapter 1 in its entirety and refer to the City of North Pole Administrative Code.

Section 102.8, Referenced Codes and Standards. Revise and add four subsections at the end of this section as follows:

102.8.3 Plumbing. Where reference to any Plumbing Code is made in this Code it means the Uniform Plumbing Code as adopted and amended by the City of North Pole.

102.8.4 Electrical. Where reference to any Electrical Code is made in this Code it means the National Electrical Code as adopted and amended by the City of North Pole.

102.8.5 Administrative. The provisions of the 1997 Uniform Administrative Code apply to the administration and enforcement of this code. Where provisions of the Administrative Code and this code conflict, the more restrictive text shall apply.

102.8.6 Energy. Where reference is made in this Code to the International Energy Conservation Code it means the IECC as currently adopted by the City of North Pole.

Section 201.3, Terms Defined in Other Codes. Revise this section as follows:

Where terms are not defined in this code and are defined in the International Building Code, National Electrical Code, International Fire Code, International Fuel Gas Code, or Uniform Plumbing Code, such terms shall have meanings ascribed to them in those codes.

Section 201.4, Terms Not Defined. Amend this section by adding the following sentence:

Webster’s Third New International Dictionary of the English Language, Unabridged shall be considered as providing ordinarily accepted meanings.

Section 301.2, Energy Utilization. Delete this section in its entirety.

Section 301.10, Electrical. Add the following sentence to the end of this subsection:

When an existing fuel-fired appliance is not equipped with the required manual disconnect and the appliance is replaced, an approved manual disconnect within clear view of the appliance shall be installed.

Section 301.19, Carbon Monoxide Alarm. Add this section numbering, title, and the following after Section 301.18:

Where a fuel-fired appliance is installed or replaced in an existing dwelling an approved carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms. A single station, battery-operated carbon monoxide alarm shall be listed as complying with UL 2034 and shall be installed according to the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

Section 302.1.1, Pipe and Tubing Embedded in Concrete. Add this subsection with the following text:

Pipe and tubing embedded in concrete slabs or footings, including sleeves, shall not be placed at a depth below the top surface of the concrete of less than 1½ (one and one half) inch for concrete exposed to earth or weather or ¾ (three quarter) inch for concrete not exposed to earth or weather. They shall not be spaced closer than 3 (three) diameters or widths from structural steel elements.

Section 302.6, Penetration Weatherproofing. Add this section and the following after Section 302.5.3:

Joints at roofs and exterior walls around pipes, ducts, appurtenances, or equipment shall be made watertight by the use of approved materials.

Section 303.4, Protection From Damage. Add the following at the end of Section 303.4:

Fuel-fired equipment and appliances located within the direct perpendicular path of a garage door opening of eight foot or less in height shall comply with Section 303.4.1.

303.4.1, Fuel-Fired Appliance Protection. Fuel-fired appliances and equipment located in the direct path of vehicles as described in Section 303.4 shall be protected from impact with one of the following methods:

1. A minimum schedule 40 (forty) nominal 3 (three) inch diameter steel pipe 30 (thirty) inches high, with a vertical face of the pipe at least 6 (six) inches in the direction of vehicle approach and:

1.1 Buried a minimum 2 (two) feet deep in compacted soil and imbedded in at least 4 (four) inches nominal concrete slab, or

1.2 Set in a minimum one foot by one foot by one foot block of concrete (slab included).

2. A platform on which the equipment sits, at least 24 (twenty four) inches high, extended at least 6 (six) inches greater than the equipment footprint (including attachments such as burners and controls) in the direction of vehicle approach and in contact with the structure opposite the direction of vehicle approach.

3. An approved system of equivalent resistance to vehicle impact extending at least 6 (six) inches ahead of the equipment’s footprint in the direction of vehicle approach, including attachments such as burners and controls.

Section 303.8, Elevator Shafts. Delete this section in its entirety and replace as follows:

Mechanical systems shall not be located in an elevator shaft except mechanical equipment and devices exclusively serving the elevator. Discharge piping from any sump pump shall exit the hoist way as low as practicable. Sump pumps shall be sized per the Uniform Plumbing Code as amended.

Section 304.1.1, Fuel-Fired Equipment Startup Report. Add this subsection as follows:

A startup report is required for all fan-assisted or power-burner fuel-fired equipment indicating the following conditions and others which the manufacturer recommends in their installation instructions. A non-returnable copy must be provided to the inspector for insertion in the Building Department project files.

1. Company, Name, address, and Phone Number of Startup Technician Manufacturer and Model No. of Equipment

2. Date and Time of Startup and Noted Readings Net Stack Temperature

3. Over fire Draft

4. Breech Draft Stack Draft CO or Smoke CO2 or O2

5. Actual Rate of fuel input

Section 312.1, Load Calculations. Delete the last sentence of this section and substitute the following:

Alternatively, design loads shall be determined by an approved equivalent computation procedure.

Section 401.4, Intake Openings. Add the following exception:

Exception

Passive Outdoor Air intake openings, including opening doors and windows, shall not be located closer than 3 (three) feet horizontally to any gas pressure regulator vent opening, unless such vent opening is located at least 3 (three) feet above the air intake opening.

Section 401.5, Intake Opening Protection. Add an exception at the end of this section as follows:

Exception: HRV weather hoods as provided by the respective unit’s manufacturer may be used for its Intake and Exhaust Air openings.

Table 401.5, Opening Sizes in Louvers, Grilles and Screens Protecting Outdoor Exhaust And Air Intake Openings.

Delete Table 401.5 and replace with the following:

OUTDOOR OPENING TYPE	MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM OPENING SIZES IN LOUVERS, GRILLES AND SCREENS MEASURED IN ANY DIRECTION
Exhaust and Intake openings in residential occupancies	1/2 (one half) inch
Intake openings in other than residential occupancies	Not < 1/2 (one half) inch and not > 1 (one) inch

Section 403.3.1.1, Outdoor Airflow Rate. Amend this section by revising the first sentence to read as follows:

Ventilation systems shall be designed to have the capacity to supply the minimum outdoor airflow rate determined in accordance with Table 403.3.1.1 based on the occupancy of the spaces and the occupant load or in accordance with the latest edition of ASHRAE Standard 62.

Section 501.3, Exhaust Discharge. Delete the exceptions to this section.

Section 502.21, Manicure and Pedicure Stations. Add this section:

The permit holder shall verify capture and containment performance of the exhaust system. This field test shall be conducted with all sources of outdoor air providing makeup air operating and with all sources of recirculated air operating which provide conditioning for the space in which the capture and containment is required. Capture and containment shall be verified visually by observing smoke simulating contaminant emission.

Section 505.2, Domestic Cooking Exhaust. Delete the first paragraph of this section and substitute the following:

Built-in Cook-top or Range-top domestic cooking appliances located within dwelling units and within areas where domestic cooking appliance operations occur shall be listed and labeled as household-type appliances for domestic use. A ventilating hood above, or an approved downdraft exhaust, shall be provided for a cook-top or range-top domestic cooking appliance, and shall discharge to the outdoors through a single-wall duct. The duct shall be sheet metal, of galvanized steel, stainless steel, aluminum or copper, airtight, and equipped with a backdraft damper. A microwave or cooking appliance that exhausts to the outdoors according to this section, is listed and labeled for installation over a cooking appliance and conforms to the terms of the upper appliance’s listing and label, shall be approved.

Section 505.3, Exhaust Ducts. Delete exception No. 1.

Section 506.3.11, Grease Duct Enclosure. Add the following sentence at the end of this section’s paragraph:

Duct enclosures penetrating wall assemblies shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than that required for the wall assembly, but not less than 1-hour nor more than 2-hour.

506.3.11.1, Shaft Enclosure. Delete and replace the second sentence of this subsection with the following:

Such grease duct systems and exhaust equipment shall have a clearance to combustible construction of not less than 18 inches and shall have a clearance to noncombustible construction and gypsum wallboard attached to noncombustible structures of not less than 3 inches.

Section 507.1, General. Amend this section by adding the following sentence:

Design documents for commercial hoods, commercial ventilation, and makeup air systems shall be designed by and bear the stamp of a professional mechanical engineer currently registered in the State of Alaska.

Section 508.1, Makeup Air. Amend this section by adding the following sentence:

Section 601.4, Contamination Prevention. Amend this section numbering the published exception as noted and adding Exception 3 as follows:

Exception 1. Exhaust systems Exception 3.

Environmental air exhaust ducts under positive pressure may extend into or through ducts or plenums if one of the following design approaches is used.

1. Route environmental air exhaust ducts inside a shaft when passing through a duct or plenum. Install a second duct around the environmental air exhaust duct where passing through ducts and plenums to minimize leakage to the duct plenums. Seal both ends of the outer duct to the outside.

2. Install a second duct around the environmental air exhaust duct where passing through ducts and plenums to minimize leakage to the duct or plenum. Seal both ends of the outer duct to outside.

3. Seal the environmental air exhaust ducts along all seams and joints using a listed low to medium pressure duct sealant which is typically applied by brush, trowel, or caulking gun.

4. Provide flexible duct with no seams in the duct or plenum. The maximum length of the flexible duct is limited to 8 feet due to high static loss. A metal duct may be sleeved by the flexible seamless duct.

Section 602.1, General. Revise this section as follows:

Supply, return, exhaust, relief, and ventilation air plenums shall be limited to areas above a ceiling or below the floor, attic spaces, and mechanical equipment rooms. Plenums shall be limited to one fire area. Fuel-fired appliances shall not be installed within a plenum.

Exception

Underfloor crawlspaces shall not be used as plenums.

Section 604.1, General. Revise this section as follows:

Duct insulation shall conform to the requirements of sections 604.2 through 604.13.and the International Energy Conservation Code. All supply, return, and exhaust ducts and plenums shall be insulated with a minimum of R-11 insulation when located outside the building envelope. When located within a building envelope assembly, the duct or plenum shall be separated from the building exterior or unconditioned space or exempt spaces by a minimum of R-11 insulation.

Exceptions

1. When located within equipment.

2. When the design temperature difference between the interior and exterior of the duct or plenum does not exceed 15 (fifteen) degrees F 8 (eight) degrees C.

3. When located within the under-floor crawlspace of a one- or two-family dwelling unit.

Section 607.4, Access and Identification. Add the following between the first and second sentences of this section:

Access doors for fire dampers and smoke dampers shall be located as close as practicable to the dampers and also sized so fire damper spring catch and fusible links are accessible with two hands when the damper is closed. Duct access doors shall be a minimum size of 18 (eighteen) inches by 16 (sixteen) inches where the size of the duct permits, and a minimum size of 24 (twenty-four) inches and 16 (sixteen) inches where entry of an individual is needed for the required minimum access.

Chapter 7, Combustion Air.

Section 701.1, Scope. Delete this section in its entirety and substitute the following:

The provisions of this chapter shall govern the requirements for combustion and dilution air for fuel-burning appliances other than gas-fired appliances. Solid fuel- burning appliances shall be provided with combustion air in accordance with the appliance manufacturers’ instructions. Oil-fired appliances shall be provided with combustion air in accordance with this chapter and, where not modified by this chapter, with Chapter 5 of NFPA 31. The methods of providing combustion air in this chapter do not apply to fireplaces and fireplace stoves.

Add the following after Section 701.1:

701.1.1 Combustion and dilution air required. Every room or space containing fuel-burning appliances shall be provided with combustion air, including both air for complete fuel combustion and draft dilution, as required by this code. An approved engineered system may be used to provide combustion air as an alternative to the requirements of this chapter. An approved method shall be utilized to control the temperature of the room or space containing fuel-burning appliances. The room or space shall be maintained between 40 (forty) degrees F and 120 (one hundred) degrees F. The requirements for Combustion Air in this chapter do not include what might be needed for maintaining the ambient temperature of the room or space containing the fuel-burning equipment. Exhaust fans that create a negative draft in the room or space, or other fans that might create conditions of unsatisfactory combustion or venting, are not permitted unless electrically interlocked with the fuel-burning appliances to prevent simultaneous operation.

701.1.2 Prohibited sources. Combustion air shall not be obtained from a hazardous location, except where the fuel-fired appliances are located within the hazardous location and are installed in accordance with this code. Combustion air shall not be taken from a refrigeration machinery room, except where a refrigerant vapor detector system is installed to automatically shut off the combustion process in the event of refrigerant leakage. Combustion air shall not be obtained from any location below the design flood elevation, a crawlspace, or an attic.

701.3 Outdoor openings. Combustion air outdoor openings shall be located and protected according to Sections 401.4 and 401.5, as amended and located at least 18 inches above grade.

702.0 Outdoor Air

702.1 Outdoor Air is required provided for combustion air. Combustion air as required by this chapter shall not be supplied by infiltration.

702.2 Indirect-Connection, Passive-flow Combustion Air. A minimum of one combustion air opening is required. The opening shall be sized with an effective opening to the outdoors of 1 (one) square inch per 6000 (six thousand) BTU/hour of the combined input rating of the fuel-burning appliances or according to Table 7-1. The opening into the enclosure containing the appliances shall be located no lower in elevation than 2/3 (two thirds) the distance from the top of the finished floor to the bottom of the finished ceiling in the enclosure.

TABLE 7-1 OIL-FIRED APPLIANCE COMBUSTION AIR DUCT SIZING
Appliance Size (Btu/hr. Input)	GPH Input at 140,000 Btu/gallon	Combustion Air Duct Minimum Free Area (sq. in.)	Minimum Round Duct Size (sq. in.)
<120,000	<.85	12	4
120,000 – 155,000	.85 – 1.10	19	5
155,000 – 175,000	1.10 – 1.25	28	6

703.3 Indirect-Connection, Forced-flow Combustion Air. Where combustion air is provided by a mechanical forced-air system, it shall be supplied at the minimum rate of 1 (one) cfm per 3500 (three thousand five hundred) BTU/hour of the combined input rating of all the fuel-burning appliances served. Each of the appliances served shall be electrically interlocked to the mechanical forced-air system to prevent operation of the appliances when the mechanical system is not in operation. Where combustion air is provided by the building’s mechanical ventilation system, the system shall provide the specified combustion air rate in addition to the required ventilation air.

704.4 Direct-Connection. Fuel-burning appliances that are listed and labeled for direct combustion air connection to the outdoors shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

7-3.0 Combustion Air Ducts.

703.1 General. Indirect-Connection Combustion air ducts shall:

1. Be of galvanized steel complying with Chapter 6 or of equivalent rigid, corrosion-resistant material approved for this application.

2. Have a minimum cross-sectional dimension of 3 (three) inches.

3. Terminate in an unobstructed space allowing free movement of combustion air to the appliances.

4. Have the same cross-sectional areas as the free area of the openings to which they connect. Each combustion air inlet shall only open into the appliance space with one, separate ducted opening of the required free area opening.

5. Serve a single appliance enclosure.

6. Any dampers installed within any part of a combustion air duct or opening shall be electrically interlocked with the firing cycle of the appliance served, to prevent operation of any appliance when the dampers are closed.

Section 801.21, Location and Support of Venting Systems Other Than Masonry Chimneys. Add this new section with the following text:

Vent terminations that penetrate a metal roof with a slope greater than 1:12 shall be protected by a snow guard or deflector of a type and design approved by the Code Official.

Section 923.2, Small Ceramic Kilns – Ventilation. Add this new section with the following text:

A canopy-hood shall be installed directly above each kiln. The face opening area of the hood shall be equal to or greater than the top horizontal surface area of the kiln. The hood shall be constructed of not less than No. 24 (twenty four) U.S. gauge galvanized steel or equivalent and be supported at a height of between 12 (twelve) inches and 30 (thirty) inches above the kiln by noncombustible supports.

Exception: Each hood shall be connected to a gravity ventilation duct extending in a vertical direction to outside the building. This duct shall be of the same construction as the hood and shall have a minimum cross-sectional area of not less than one fifteenth of the face opening area of the hood. The duct shall terminate a minimum of 12 (twelve) inches above any portion of a building within 4 (four) feet and terminate no less than 4 (four) feet from the adjacent property line or any open able window or other openings into the building. The duct opening to the outside shall be shielded, without reduction of duct area, to prevent entrance of rain into the duct. The duct shall be supported at each section by noncombustible supports. Provisions shall be made for air to enter the room in which a kiln is installed at a rate at least equal to the air being removed through the kiln hood.

Section 1001.1, Scope. Amend exception No. 7 as follows:

1. Any boiler or pressure vessel subject to inspection by federal inspectors.

Section 1005.2, Potable Water Supply. Delete this section and its title in their entirety and substitute the following:

Section 1005.2 Water Supply. An automatic means of water or heat transfer liquid makeup supply is required connected to all boilers. Connections to the potable water piping system shall be in accordance with the Uniform Plumbing Code as amended.

Section 1006.6, Safety and Relief Valve Discharge. Delete this section and substitute the following:

Safety and relief valve discharge piping shall be of rigid pipe or tube that is approved for the temperature of the system. High-pressure-steam safety valve shall be vented to the outside of the structure. The discharge piping serving pressure relief valves, temperature relief valves, and combinations of such valves shall be separately piped to its outlet according to manufacturer’s instructions, in a manner that does not cause personal injury or structural damage, and without obstruction or connection to piping serving any other relief device or equipment. The discharge piping shall be at least the size of the valve outlet served, sloped downward full sized toward its outlet, and terminate through an air gap not more than 18 (eighteen) inches above the floor, or above the flood rim of an approved pan or waste receptor. The termination shall be readily observable and located in the same room as the appliance. The discharge piping shall have no tees or outlet threads and as few elbows as possible.

Section 1006.7, Boiler Safety Devices. Amend this section by adding the following and Table 1003.2.1 of the 2018 Uniform Mechanical Code:

Automatic boilers shall be equipped with controls and limit devices as set forth in Table 1003.2.1.

TABLE 1003.2.1

Controls and Limit Devices for Automatic Boilers
Boiler Group	Fuel	Fuel Input Range (Inclusive), Btu/h	Type of Pilot2	Safely Control Timing (Nominal Maximum Time In Seconds)				Assured Fuel Supply Control4	Assured Air Supply Control5	Low Fire Start Up Control6	Pre-purging Control7	Hot Water Temperature and Low Water Limit Controls8	Steam Pressure and Low Water Limit Controls9	Approved Fuel Shutoff10	Control and Limit Device System Design11
				Trial for Pilot	Trial for Main Burner Flame		Main Burner Flame Failure3
				Trial for Pilot	Direct Electric Ignition	Flame Pilot	Main Burner Flame Failure3
A	Gas	0-400,000	Any type	90	Not Required	90	90	Not required	Required	Not required	Not required	Required	Required	Not required	Required
B	Gas	400,001-2,500,000	Interrupted or intermittent	15	15	15	2-4	Not required	Required	Not required	Not required	Required	Required	Not required	Required
C	Gas	2,500,001-5,000,000	Interrupted or intermittent	15	15	15	2-4	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required
D	Gas	Over 5,000,000	Interrupted	15	15	15	2-4	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required
E	Oil	0-400,000	Any type	Not Required	90	90	90	Not required	Required	Not required	Not required	Required	Required	Not required	Required
F	Oil	400,001-1,000,000	Interrupted	Not Required	30	30	2-4	Required	Required	Not required	Not required	Required	Required	Not required	Required
G	Oil	1,000,001 3,000.000	Interrupted	Not Required	15	15	2-4	Required	Required	Not required	Not required	Required	Required	Not required	Required
H	Oil	Over 3,000,000	Interrupted	15	15	60	2-4	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required
K	Electric	All	Not required	Not required	Not required	Not required	Not required	Not required	Not required	Not required	Not required	Required	Required	Not required	Required
L	Gas, Oil and/or Coal	12,500,000 or more	Any	10 sec per NFPA 85	Per NFPA 85	Per NFPA 85	Per NFPA 85	Per NFPA 85	Per NFPA 85	Per NFPA 85	Per NFPA 85	Per ASME Power Boiler Code, Section I and NFPA 85	Per ASME Power Boiler Code Section I and NFPA 85	Per NFPA 85	Per NFPA 85
M	Heat Recovery Steam Generator	Any	None	Per NFPA 85	Per NFPA 85	Per NFPA 85	Per NFPA 85	Per NFPA 85	Per NFPA 85	Per NFPA 85	Per NFPA 85	Per ASME Boiler & Pressure Code & NFPA 85	Per ASME Boiler & Pressure Code & NFPA 85	Per NFPA 85	Per NFPA 85

FOOTNOTES FOR TABLE 1003.2.1

1. Fuel input shall be determined by one of the following:

• The burner input shall not exceed the input as shown on the burner nameplate or as otherwise identified by the manufacturer.

• The nominal boiler rating, as determined by the building official, plus 25 (twenty-five) percent.

2. Automatic boilers shall have one flame failure device on each burner, which shall prove the presence of an ignition source at the point where it will reliably ignite the main burner, except that boiler groups A, B, E, F, and G, which are equipped with direct electric ignition, shall monitor the main burner, and boiler groups using interrupted pilots shall monitor the main burner after the prescribed limited trial and ignition periods. Boiler group A, equipped with continuous pilot, shall accomplish 100 (one hundred) percent shutoff within 90 (ninety) seconds upon pilot flame failure. The use of intermittent pilots in boiler group C is limited to approved burner units.

3. In boiler groups B, C, and 0 a 90 (ninety) second main burner flame failure limit shall be permitted to be applied where continuous pilots are provided on manufacturer assembled boiler-burner units that have been approved by an approved testing agency as complying with nationally recognized standards approved by the building official. Boiler groups F and G equipped to re- energize their ignition systems within 0.8 (eight tenths) second after main burner flame failure will be permitted 30 (thirty) seconds for group F or 15 (fifteen) seconds for group G to reestablish their main burner flames.

4. Boiler groups C and D shall have controls interlocked to accomplish a nonrecycling fuel shutoff upon high or low gas pressure, and boiler groups F, G, and H using steam or air for fuel atomization shall have controls interlocked to accomplish a nonrecycling fuel shutoff upon low atomizing steam or air pressure. Boiler groups F, G, and H equipped with a preheated oil system shall have controls interlocked to provide fuel shutoff upon low oil temperature.

5. Automatic boilers shall have controls interlocked to shut off the fuel supply in the event of draft failure where forced or induced draft fans are used or, in the event of low combustion airflow, where a gas power burner is used. Where a single motor directly driving both the fan and the oil pump is used, a separate control is not required.

6. Boiler groups C, D, and H, when firing in excess of 400,000 (four hundred thousand) BTU per combustion chamber, shall be provided with low fire start of its main burner system to permit smooth light-off. This will normally be a rate of one-third of its maximum firing rate.

7. Boiler groups C, D, and H shall not permit pilot or main burner trial for ignition operation before a purging operation of sufficient duration to permit not less than 4 (four) complete air changes through the furnace, including combustion chamber and the boiler passes. Where this is not readily determinable, 5 (five) complete air changes of the furnace, including combustion chamber up to the first pass, will be considered equivalent. An atmospheric gas burner with no mechanical means of creating air movement or an oil burner that obtains two-thirds or more of the air required for combustion without mechanical means of creating air movement shall not require purge by means of four air changes, so long as its secondary air openings are not provided with means of closing. Where such burners have means of closing secondary air openings, a time delay shall be provided that puts these closures in a normally open position for four minutes before an attempt for ignition. An installation with a trapped combustion chamber shall, in every case, be provided with a mechanical means of creating air movement for purging.

8. In automatic hot-water-heating boiler, low-pressure hot-water-heating boiler, and power hot water boiler shall be equipped with two high-temperature limit controls with a manual reset on the control, with the higher setting interlocked to shut off the main fuel supply, except that manual reset on the high-temperature limit control shall not be required on any automatic package boiler not exceeding 400,000 (four hundred thousand) BTU/hour (117kW) input and that has been approved by an approved testing agency. Every automatic hot-water heating, power boiler, and package hot-water supply boiler shall be equipped with one low-water level limit control with a manual reset interlocked to shut off the fuel supply, so installed as to prevent damage to the boiler and to permit testing of the control without draining the heating system, except on boilers used in Group R Occupancies of less than six units and in Group U Occupancies and further, except that the low-water level limit control is not required on package hot-water supply boilers approved by a nationally recognized testing agency. However, a low-water flow limit control installed in the circulating water line shall be permitted to be used instead of the low-water level limit control for the same purpose on coil-type boilers.

9. An automatic low-pressure steam-heating boiler, small power boiler, and power steam boiler shall be equipped with two high-steam pressure limit controls interlocked to shut off the fuel supply to the main burner with manual reset on the control, with the higher setting and two low- water-level limit controls, one of which shall be provided with a manual reset device and independent of the feed water controller. Coil-type flash steam boilers shall be permitted to use two high-temperature limit controls, one of which shall be manually reset in the hot water coil section of the boiler instead of the low-water level limit control.

10. Boiler groups C, D, and H shall use an approved automatic reset safety shutoff valve for the main burner fuel shutoff, which shall be interlocked to the programming control devices required. On oil burners where the safety shutoff valve will be subjected to pressures in excess of 10 (ten) (69kPa) psi when the burner is not firing, a second safety shutoff valve shall be provided in series with the first. Boiler groups C and D using gas in excess of 1 (One) psi (7 kPa) pressure or having a trapped combustion chamber or employing horizontal fire tubes shall be equipped with two approved safety shutoff valves, one of which shall be an automatic reset type, one of which shall be permitted to be used as an operating control, and both of which shall be interlocked to the limit-control devices required. Boiler groups C and D using gas in excess of 1 psi (7 kPa) pressure shall be provided with a permanent and ready means for making periodic tightness checks of the main fuel safety shutoff valves.

11. Control and limit device systems shall be grounded with operating voltage not to exceed 150 (one hundred fifty) volts, except that, upon approval by the building official, existing control equipment to be reused in an altered boiler control system shall be permitted to use 220 (two hundred twenty) volt single phase with one side grounded, provided such voltage is used for all controls. Control and limit devices shall interrupt the ungrounded side of the circuit. A readily accessible means of manually disconnecting the control circuit shall be provided with controls so arranged that when they are de-energized, the burner shall be inoperative.

Section 1006.8, Electrical Requirements. Add the following sentence and exception to this subsection:

The required means of disconnect shall be within clear view of the boiler burner.

Exception

Where it is not possible for personnel to position themselves out of clear view of the means of disconnect while maintaining the boiler, the capability of being locked in the off position shall not be required of the means of disconnect.

Section 1007, Boiler Low-Water Cutoff. Delete this section in its entirety and refer to Section 1006.7 as amended.

Section 1101. 11 Installation Identification. Add this subsection with the following text:

Each refrigerating system erected on the premises shall be provided with legible permanent signage, securely attached and easily accessible, as required in sections 1101.11.1 – 1101.11.3. If the type or amount of refrigerant or other indication is changed, the signs must be changed or replaced to indicate the new conditions.

1101.11.1 Each system shall be provided a sign indicating:

a. the name and address of the installer,

b. the refrigerant number and amount of refrigerant,

c. the lubricant identity and amount, and

d. the field test pressure applied

1101.11.2 Systems containing more than 110 (one hundred ten) pounds of refrigerant and consisting of controls and piping shall be provided signs having letters at least ½ (one half) inches in height indicating:

a. Each valve or switch that controls the refrigerant flow, the machinery room ventilation, and the compressors

b. The specific fluid, whether a refrigerant or secondary coolant, that is contained in exposed piping outside of the refrigerating machinery room. Valves or the piping adjacent to the valves shall be labeled in accordance with ANSI A13.1.

1101.11.3 Each Refrigeration Machinery Room entrance must have in clear view a sign reading: “Machinery Room – Authorized Personnel Only. – Only those trained in emergency procedures if the Refrigerant alarm is activated.”

Section 1105.3 Refrigerant detector. Amend this section by adding a second sentence to read as follows:

Refrigerant detectors shall alarm both inside and outside the machinery room and refrigerated space.

Section 1105.6.2, Makeup Air. Amend this section as follows:

Provisions shall be made for makeup air to replace that being exhausted. Openings for makeup air shall be located to avoid intake of exhaust air. Supply and exhaust ducts to the machinery room shall serve no other area, shall be constructed in accordance with Chapter 5, and shall be covered with corrosion- resistant screen of not less than ½ (one half) inch mesh.

Section 1205.1.3, Pressure Vessels. Add the following exception to this subsection:

Exception: Shutoff valves for diaphragm-type expansion tanks in systems installed with a single expansion tank of 12 (twelve) gallon water volume or smaller shall not be required.

Section 1205.1.6, Expansion Tanks. Delete this subsection in its entirety.

Section 1301.1, Scope. Amend this section as follows:

The design, installation, construction, and repair of fuel oil and waste oil storage and piping shall be in accordance with this chapter and NFPA 31. The storage of fuel oil and flammable and combustible liquids shall be in accordance with the International Fire Code.

Section 1301.4, Fuel Tanks, Piping, and Valves. Amend and add to this section as follows:

The tank, piping, and valves for appliances burning oil shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of this chapter. The oil supply line is required to be taken from the top of the tank only, and where the level of fuel within the tank may be above the inlet port of the appliance served an approved method to prevent siphoning from the tank must be provided. If the tank is located inside a building, emergency pressure relief venting is required to the exterior.

1301.4.1 Day tanks or supply tanks. Day tanks shall be installed in accordance with this code and NFPA 31.

1301.4.1.1 A day tank or supply tank of 60 (sixty) gallons or less may be installed for generators, boilers and water heaters within a boiler or mechanical room provided a 1-hour fire-resistive occupancy separation is constructed around the room containing the equipment being served and the day tank or supply tank.

1301.4.1.2 Day tanks or supply tanks which exceed 60 (sixty) gallons shall be installed in accordance with the following requirements:

a. A sprinkler system as approved by the Fire Department is required for the mechanical room.

b. The room containing the day tank or supply tank shall be located on an exterior wall.

c. Two exits shall be provided from the boiler room or mechanical room. One exit shall open directly to the exterior and be accessible to fire-fighting personnel.

d. A 2 (two) hour fire resistive occupancy separation shall be provided around the boiler room or mechanical room.

1301.4.2 Waste oil tanks. Tanks installed inside buildings for the collection of class IIIB motor vehicle waste oil and connected to listed oil-burning appliances shall be restricted to Group S-1 and motor vehicle related occupancies as referenced by the International Building Code. Waste oil tanks located outside of central heating enclosures shall be limited to 500 (five hundred) gallon cumulative capacity, be provided with approved emergency pressure relief venting, and shall be equipped with a hinged cap. All oil lines shall be equipped with a spring-loaded fusible valve located immediately adjacent to the tank shell.

Waste oil tanks exceeding 500 (five hundred) gallon capacity and connected to waste oil- burning appliances shall be enclosed in a separate one-hour fire-resistive occupancy separation, be provided with approved emergency pressure relief venting, and shall be surrounded by a 4 (four) inch high non-combustible curb.

Waste oil tanks located inside of central heating plant enclosures or generator mechanical rooms shall conform to section 1301.4.1 as amended. Upon approval of the Fire Chief, listed waste oil heaters may be located in other occupancy groups provided the tanks are installed outside of the building in accordance with Chapter 15 of the International Mechanical Code and NFPA 31 Chapter 12, or installed in compliance with IMC section 1301.4.1.

(Ord. 22-02 § 2, 2022; Ord. 17-12 § 2(C), 2017; Ord. 12-09 § 2, 2012)