SECTION 150.0 – MANDATORY FEATURES AND DEVICES    

Any newly constructed low-rise residential building shall meet the requirements of this Section

(a)  Ceiling and Rafter Roof Insulation.

The opaque portions of ceilings separating conditioned spaces from unconditioned spaces or ambient air shall meet the requirements of  Item 1 or 2 below:

1.   Ceilings and rafter roofs shall be insulated between wood-framing members with insulation resulting in an installed thermal resistance of R-30 or greater for the insulation alone. Attic access doors shall have permanently attached insulation using adhesive or mechanical fasteners. The attic access shall be gasketed to prevent air leakage.

EXCEPTION to Section 150.0(a)1: Insulation of rafter roofs in an alteration shall be insulated between wood-framing members with insulation resulting in an installed thermal resistance of R-19 or greater.

2.   The weighted average U-factor shall not exceed 0.031 that would result from installing R-30 insulation between wood-framing members.

(b) Loose-fill Insulation.

When loose-fill insulation is installed, the minimum installed weight per square foot shall conform with the insulation manufacturer's installed design weight per square foot at the manufacturer's labeled R-value.

(c)  Wall Insulation.

Insulation installed in opaque portions of above grade framed walls separating conditioned spaces from unconditioned spaces or ambient air shall meet the requirements of Items 1, 2 or 3 below:

1.   Walls shall be insulated between framing members with insulation having an installed thermal resistance of not less than R-13 in 2x4 inch framing, or the U-factor shall not exceed U-0.102 that results from installing R-13 in a 2x4 inch wood framed assembly; and

EXCEPTION to Section 150.0(c)1:  Existing walls already insulated to an installed thermal resistance of R-11 or greater.

2.   Walls shall be insulated between framing members with insulation having an installed thermal resistance of not less than R-19 in framing of 2x6 inch or greater, or the U-factor shall not exceed the U-0.074 that results from installing R-19 in a 2x6 inch or greater wood framed assembly; and

3.   Bay Window roofs and floors shall be insulated to meet the wall insulation requirements of TABLE 150.1-A.

(d) Raised-floor Insulation.

Raised floors separating conditioned space from unconditioned space or ambient air shall meet the requirements of 1 or 2 below:

1.   Floors shall be insulated between wood-framing members with insulation having an installed thermal resistance of R-19 or greater.

2.   The weighted average U-factor of floor assemblies shall not exceed 0.037 that would result from installing R-19 insulation between wood-framing members and accounting for the effects of framing members.

EXCEPTION to Section 150.0(d): A building with a controlled ventilation or unvented crawlspace may omit raised floor insulation if all of the following are met:

A.   The foundation walls are insulated to meet the wall insulation minimums as shown in TABLE 150.1-A; and

B.   A Class I or Class II vapor retarder is placed over the entire floor of the crawlspace; and

C.   Vents between the crawlspace and outside air are fitted with automatically operated louvers that are temperature actuated; and

D.   The requirements in Reference Residential Appendix RA4.5.1.

(e)  Installation of Fireplaces, Decorative Gas Appliances and Gas Logs  

1.   If a masonry or factory-built fireplace is installed, it shall have the following:

A.   Closeable metal or glass doors covering the entire opening of the firebox; and

B.   A combustion air intake to draw air from the outside of the building, which is at least 6 square inches in area and is equipped with a readily accessible, operable, and tight-fitting damper or combustion-air control device; and

EXCEPTION to Section 150.0(e)1B: An outside combustion-air intake is not required if the fireplace will be installed over concrete slab flooring and the fireplace will not be located on an exterior wall.

C.   A flue damper with a readily accessible control.

EXCEPTION to Section 150.0(e)1C: When a gas log, log lighter, or decorative gas appliance is installed in a fireplace, the flue damper shall be blocked open if required by the CMC or the manufacturer's installation instructions.

2.   Continuous burning pilot lights and the use of indoor air for cooling a firebox jacket, when that indoor air is vented to the outside of the building, are prohibited.

(f)  RESERVED

(g) Vapor Retarder  

1.   In Climate Zones 14 and 16 a Class II vapor retarder shall be installed on the conditioned space side of all insulation in all exterior walls, vented attics and unvented attics with air-permeable insulation; and 

2.   In Climate Zones 1-16 with unvented crawl spaces the earth floor of the crawl space shall be covered with a Class I or Class II vapor retarder; or

3.   In a building having a controlled ventilation crawl space, a Class I or Class II vapor retarder shall be placed over the earth floor of the crawl space to reduce moisture entry and protect insulation from condensation, as specified in the exception to Section 150.0(d).

(h) Space-Conditioning Equipment.  

1.   Building’ Cooling and Heating Loads. Building heating and cooling loads shall be determined using a method based on any one of the following:

A.   The ASHRAE Handbook, Equipment Volume, Applications Volume, and Fundamentals Volume; or

B.   The SMACNA Residential Comfort System Installation Standards Manual; or

C.   The ACCA Manual J.

The cooling and heating loads are two of the criteria that shall be used for equipment sizing and selection.

NOTE: Heating systems are required to have a minimum heating capacity adequate to meet the minimum requirements of the CBC. The furnace output capacity and other specifications are published in the Commission's directory of certified equipment or other directories approved by the Commission.

2.   Design conditions.

 For the purpose of sizing the space-conditioning (HVAC) system, the indoor design temperatures shall be 68°F for heating and 75°F for cooling. Outdoor design conditions shall be selected from Reference Joint  Appendix JA2, which is based on data from the ASHRAE Climatic Data for Region X. The outdoor design temperatures for heating shall be no lower than the Heating Winter Median of Extremes values. The outdoor design temperatures for cooling shall be no greater than the 1.0 percent Cooling Dry Bulb and Mean Coincident Wet Bulb values.

3.   Outdoor Condensing Units.    

A.   Clearances. Installed air conditioner and heat pump outdoor condensing units shall have a clearance of at least five (5) feet (1.5 meters) from the outlet of any dryer vent.

4.   Central Forced-Air Heating Furnaces.

A.   Temperature Rise. Central forced-air heating furnace installations shall be configured to operate in conformance with the furnace manufacturer's maximum inlet-to-outlet temperature rise specifications.

(i)   Thermostats.

Heating systems shall be equipped with thermostats that meet the requirements of Section 110.2(c).

(j)   Water System Piping and Insulation for Piping, Tanks, and Cooling System Lines.

1.   Storage tank insulation.    

A.   Storage gas water heaters with an energy factor equal to or less than the federal minimum standards shall be externally wrapped with insulation having an installed thermal resistance of R-12 or greater.

B.   Unfired hot water tanks, such as storage tanks and backup storage tanks for solar water-heating systems, shall be externally wrapped with insulation having an installed thermal resistance of R-12 or greater or have internal insulation of at least R-16 and a label on the exterior of the tank showing the insulation R-value.

2.   Water piping and cooling system line insulation thickness and conductivity.:

Piping shall be insulated to the thicknesses as follows:

A.   All domestic hot water system piping conditions 'listed’ below, whether buried or unburied, must be insulated and the insulation thickness shall be selected based on the conductivity range in TABLE 120.3-A and the insulation level shall be selected from the fluid temperature range based on the thickness requirements in TABLE 120.3-A:

i.    The first 5 feet (1.5 meters) of hot and cold water pipes from the storage tank.

ii.    All piping with a nominal diameter of 3/4 inch (19 millimeter) or larger.

iii.   All piping associated with a domestic hot water recirculation system regardless of the pipe diameter.

iv.   Piping from the heating source to storage tank or between tanks.

v.   Piping buried below grade..

vi.   All hot water pipes from the heating source to the kitchen fixtures.

B.   'In addition’ to insulation requirements, all domestic hot water pipes that are buried below grade must be installed in a water proof and non-crushable casing or sleeve that allows for installation, removal, and replacement of the enclosed pipe and insulation.

C.   Pipe for cooling system lines shall be insulated as specified in Subsection A.  Piping for steam and hydronic heating systems or hot water systems with pressure above 15 psig (103 kPa) shall meet the requirements in TABLE 120.3-A

EXCEPTION 1 to Section 150.0(j)2: Factory-installed piping within space-conditioning equipment certified under Section 110.1 or 110.2.

EXCEPTION 2 to Section 150.0(j)2: Piping that serves process loads, gas piping, cold domestic water piping, condensate drains, roof drains, vents, or waste piping.

EXCEPTION 3 to Section 150.0(j)2: Piping that penetrates framing members shall not be required to have pipe insulation for the distance of the framing penetration. Metal piping that penetrates metal framing shall use grommets, plugs, wrapping or other insulating material to assure that no contact is made with the metal framing. Insulation shall butt securely against all framing members.

EXCEPTION 4 to Section 150.0(j)2: Piping installed in interior or exterior walls shall not be required to have pipe insulation if all of the requirements are met for compliance with Quality Insulation Installation (QII) as specified in the Reference Residential Appendix RA3.5.

EXCEPTION 5 to Section 150.0(j)2: Piping installed in attics with a minimum of 4 inches (10 cm) of attic insulation on top of the piping shall not be required to have pipe insulation.

NOTE: Where the Executive Director approves a water heater calculation method for particular water heating recirculation systems, piping insulation requirements are those specified in the approved calculation method.

Insulation Protection.      

Insulation outside conditioned space shall be protected from damage, including that due to sunlight, moisture, equipment maintenance, and wind. Protection includes but is not limited to the following:

A.   Insulation exposed to weather shall either be rated for outdoor use or installed with a cover suitable for outdoor service; e.g., protected by aluminum, sheet metal, painted canvas, or plastic cover. Cellular foam insulation shall be protected as above or painted with a coating that is water retardant and provides shielding from solar radiation that can cause degradation of the material.

B.   Insulation covering chilled water piping and refrigerant suction piping located outside the conditioned space shall have a Class I or Class II vapor retarding facing, or the insulation shall be installed at the thickness that qualifies as a Class I or Class II vapor retarder.

(k)  Residential Lighting.      

1.   Luminaire Requirements

A.   Luminaire Efficacy:

Installed luminaires shall be classified as high-efficacy or low-efficacy for compliance with Section 150.0(k) in accordance with TABLE 150.0-A or TABLE 150.0-B, as applicable.

B.   Hybrid Luminaires:

When a high efficacy and low efficacy lighting system are combined together in a single luminaire, the high efficacy and low efficacy lighting systems shall separately comply with the applicable provisions of Section 150.0(k).

C.   Luminaire Wattage and Classification.

The Wattage and Classification of permanently installed luminaires in residential kitchens shall be determined in accordance with Section 130.0(c). In residential kitchens, the wattage of electrical boxes finished with a blank cover or where no electrical equipment has been installed, and where the electrical box can be used for a luminaire or a surface mounted ceiling fan, shall be calculated as 180 watts of low efficacy lighting per electrical box.

D.   Electronic Ballasts.

Ballasts for fluorescent lamps rated 13 watts or greater shall be electronic and shall have an output frequency no less than 20 kHz.

E.   Night Lights.

Permanently installed night lights and night lights integral to installed luminaires or exhaust fans shall be rated to consume no more than five watts of power per luminaire or exhaust fan as determined in accordance with Section 130.0(c). Night lights shall not be required to be controlled by vacancy sensors.

F.   Lighting Integral to Exhaust Fans.

Lighting integral to exhaust fans shall meet the applicable requirements of Section 150.0(k).

EXCEPTION to Section 150.0(k)1F: Lighting installed by the manufacturer in kitchen exhaust hoods.

2.   Switching Devices and Controls.

A.   High efficacy luminaires shall be switched separately from low efficacy luminaires.

B.   Exhaust fans shall be switched separately from lighting systems.

EXCEPTION to Section 150.0(k)2B: Lighting integral to an exhaust fan may be on the same switch as the fan provided the lighting can be switched OFF in accordance with the applicable provisions in Section 150(k)2 while allowing the fan to continue to operate for an extended period of time.

C.   Luminaires shall be switched with readily accessible controls that permit the luminaires to be manually switched ON and OFF.

D.   Lighting controls and equipment shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

E.   No controls shall bypass a dimmer or vacancy sensor function where that dimmer or vacancy sensor has been installed to comply with Section 150.0(k).

F.   Lighting controls shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 110.9.

G.   An Energy Management Control System (EMCS) may be used to comply with dimmer requirements in Section 150.0(k) if at a minimum it provides the functionality of a dimmer in accordance with Section 110.9, meets the installation certificate requirements in Section 130.4, the EMCS requirements in Section 130.5, and complies with all other applicable requirements in Section 150.0(k)2.

H.   An Energy Management Control System (EMCS) may be used to comply with vacancy sensor requirements in Section 150.0(k) if at a minimum it provides the functionality of a vacancy sensor in accordance with Section 110.9, meets the installation certificate requirements in Section 130.4, the EMCS requirements in Section 130.5, and complies with all other applicable requirements in Section 150.0(k)2.

I.    A multiscene programmable controller may be used to comply with dimmer requirements in Section 150.0(k) if at a minimum it provides the functionality of a dimmer in accordance with Section 110.9, and complies with all other applicable requirements in Section 150.0(k)2.

3.   Lighting in Kitchens.

A.   A minimum of 50 percent of the total rated wattage of permanently installed lighting in kitchens shall be high efficacy.

B.   For the purpose of compliance with Section 150.0(k), kitchen lighting includes all permanently installed lighting in the kitchen except for lighting that is internal to cabinets for the purpose of illuminating only the inside of the cabinets. Lighting in areas adjacent to the kitchen, including but not limited to dining and nook areas, are considered kitchen lighting if they are not separately switched from kitchen lighting.

EXCEPTION to Section 150.0(k)3: Up to 50 watts for dwelling units less than or equal to 2,500 ft² or 100 watts for dwelling units larger than 2,500 ft² may be exempt from the 50 percent high efficacy requirement when all lighting in the kitchen is controlled in accordance with the applicable provisions in Section 150.0(k)2, and is also controlled by vacancy sensors or dimmers.

4.   Lighting Internal to Cabinets.

Permanently installed lighting that is internal to cabinets shall use no more than 20 watts of power per linear foot of illuminated cabinet. The length of an illuminated cabinet shall be determined using one of the following measurements, regardless of the number of shelves or the number of doors per cabinet section:

A.   One horizontal length of illuminated cabinet; or

B.   One vertical length, per illuminated cabinet section; or

C.   No more than one vertical length per every 40 horizontal inches of illuminated cabinet.

5.   Lighting in Bathrooms.

Lighting installed in bathrooms shall meet the following requirements:

A.   A minimum of one high efficacy luminaire shall be installed in each bathroom; and

B.   All other lighting installed in each bathroom shall be high efficacy or controlled by vacancy sensors. 

6.   Lighting in Garages, Laundry Rooms, and Utility Rooms.

Lighting installed in attached and detached garages, laundry rooms, and utility rooms shall be high efficacy luminaires and controlled by vacancy sensors.

7.   Lighting other than in Kitchens, Bathrooms, Garages, Laundry Rooms, and Utility Rooms.

Lighting installed in rooms or areas other than in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, laundry rooms, and utility rooms shall be high efficacy, or shall be controlled by either dimmers or vacancy sensors.

EXCEPTION 1 to Section 150.0(k)7: Luminaires in closets less than 70 square feet.

EXCEPTION 2 to Section 150.0(k)7: Lighting in detached storage buildings less than 1,000 square feet located on a residential site.

8.   Recessed Luminaires in Ceilings.

Luminaires recessed into ceilings shall meet all of the following requirements:

A.   Be Listed, as defined in Section 100.1, for zero clearance insulation contact (IC) by Underwriters Laboratories or other nationally recognized testing/rating laboratory; and

B.   Have a label that certifies that the luminaire is airtight with air leakage less than 2.0 CFM at 75 Pascals when tested in accordance with ASTM E283. An exhaust fan housing shall not be required to be certified airtight; and

C.   Be sealed with a gasket or caulk between the luminaire housing and ceiling, and shall have all air leak paths between conditioned and unconditioned spaces sealed with a gasket or caulk; and

D.   For recessed compact fluorescent luminaires with ballasts to qualify as high efficacy for compliance with Section 150.0(k), the ballasts shall be certified to the Commission to comply with the applicable requirements in Section 110.9; and

E.   Allow ballast maintenance and replacement to be readily accessible to building occupants from below the ceiling without requiring the cutting of holes in the ceiling.

9.   Residential Outdoor Lighting.

Luminaires providing residential outdoor lighting shall meet the following requirements, as applicable:

A.   For single-family residential buildings, outdoor lighting permanently mounted to a residential building or other buildings on the same lot shall be high efficacy, or may be low efficacy if it meets all of the following requirements:

i.    Controlled by a manual ON and OFF switch that does not override to ON the automatic actions of Items ii or iii below; and

ii.    Controlled by a motion sensor not having an override or bypass switch that disables the motion sensor, or controlled by a motion sensor having a temporary override switch which temporarily bypasses the motion sensing function and automatically reactivates the motion sensor within 6 hours

iii.   Controlled by one of the following methods:

a.   Photocontrol not having an override or bypass switch that disables the photocontrol; or

b.   Astronomical time clock not having an override or bypass switch that disables the astronomical time clock, and which is programmed to automatically turn the outdoor lighting OFF during daylight hours; or

c.   Energy management control system which meets all of the following requirements:

At a minimum provides the functionality of an astronomical time clock in accordance with Section 110.9; meets the Installation Certification requirements in Section 130.4; meets the requirements for an EMCS in Section 130.5; does not have an override or bypass switch that allows the luminaire to be always ON; and, is programmed to automatically turn the outdoor lighting OFF during daylight hours.

B.   For low-rise multifamily residential buildings, outdoor lighting for private patios, entrances, balconies, and porches; and outdoor lighting for residential parking lots and residential carports with less than eight vehicles per site shall comply with one of the following requirements:

i.    Shall comply with Section 150.0(k)9A; or

ii.    Shall comply with the applicable requirements in Sections 110.9, 130.0, 130.2, 130.4, 140.7 and  141.0.

C.   For low-rise residential buildings with four or more dwelling units, outdoor lighting not regulated by Section 150.0(k)9B or 150.0(k)9D shall comply with the applicable requirements in Sections 110.9, 130.0, 130.2, 130.4, 140.7 and 141.0.

D.   Outdoor lighting for residential parking lots and residential carports with a total of eight or more vehicles per site shall comply with the applicable requirements in Sections 110.9, 130.0, 130.2, 130.4, 140.7 and 141.0.

10.  Internally illuminated address signs.

Internally illuminated address signs shall:

A.   Comply with Section 140.8; or

B.   Shall consume no more than 5 watts of power as determined according to Section 130.0(c).

11.  Residential Garages for Eight or More Vehicles.

Lighting for residential parking garages for eight or more vehicles shall comply with the applicable requirements for nonresidential garages in Sections 110.9, 130.0, 130.1, 130.4, 140.6, and 141.0.

12.  Interior Common Areas of Low-rise Multi-Family Residential Buildings.

 A.  In a low-rise multifamily residential building where the total interior common area in a single building equals 20 percent or less of the floor area, permanently installed lighting for the interior common areas in that building shall be high efficacy luminaires or controlled by an occupant sensor.

B.   In a low-rise multifamily residential building where the total interior common area in a single building equals more than 20 percent of the floor area, permanently installed lighting in that building shall:

i.    Comply with the applicable requirements in Sections 110.9, 130.0, 130.1, 140.6 and 141.0; and

ii.    Lighting installed in corridors and stairwells shall be controlled by occupant sensors that reduce the lighting power in each space by at least 50 percent. The occupant sensors shall be capable of turning the light fully On and Off from all designed paths of ingress and egress.

(l)   Slab Edge Insulation.

Material used for slab edge insulation shall meet the following minimum specifications:

1.   Water absorption rate for the insulation material alone without facings no greater than 0.3 percent when tested in accordance with Test Method A – 24-Hour-Immersion of ASTM C272.

2.   Water vapor permeance no greater than 2.0 perm/inch when tested in accordance with ASTM E96.

3.   Concrete slab perimeter insulation shall be protected from physical damage and ultraviolet light deterioration.

4.   Insulation for a heated slab floor shall meet the requirements of Section 110.8(g).

(m)      Air-Distribution and Ventilation System Ducts, Plenums, and Fans.

1.   CMC Compliance.      

All air-distribution system ducts and plenums, including, but not limited to, mechanical closets and air-handler boxes, shall be installed, sealed and insulated to meet the requirements of the CMC Sections 601.0, 602.0, 603.0, 604.0, 605.0 and ANSI/SMACNA-006-2006 HVAC Duct Construction Standards Metal and Flexible 3rd Edition, incorporated herein by reference. Portions of supply-air and return-air ducts and plenums of a space heating or cooling system shall either be insulated to a minimum installed level of R-6.0 (or any higher level required by CMC Section 605.0) or be enclosed entirely in directly conditioned space as confirmed through field verification and diagnostic testing in accordance with the requirements of Reference Residential Appendix RA3.1.4.3.8. Connections of metal ducts and the inner core of flexible ducts shall be mechanically fastened. Openings shall be sealed with mastic, tape, or other duct-closure system that meets the applicable requirements of UL 181, UL 181A or UL 181B or aerosol sealant that meets the requirements of UL 723. If mastic or tape is used to seal openings greater than 1/4 inch, the combination of mastic and either mesh or tape shall be used.

Building cavities, support platforms for air handlers, and plenums defined or constructed with materials other than sealed sheet metal, duct board or flexible duct shall not be used for conveying conditioned air. Building cavities and support platforms may contain ducts. Ducts installed in cavities and support platforms shall not be compressed to cause reductions in the cross-sectional area of the ducts.

EXCEPTION to Section 150.0(m)1: Ducts and fans integral to a wood heater or fireplace.

2.   Factory-Fabricated Duct Systems.

A.   All factory-fabricated duct systems shall comply with UL 181 for ducts and closure systems, including collars, connections, and splices, and be labeled as complying with UL 181. UL 181 testing may be performed by UL laboratories or a laboratory approved by the Executive Director.

B.   All pressure-sensitive tapes, heat-activated tapes, and mastics used in the manufacture of rigid fiberglass ducts shall comply with UL 181 and UL 181A.

C.   All pressure-sensitive tapes and mastics used with flexible ducts shall comply with UL 181 and UL 181B.

D.   Joints and seams of duct systems and their components shall not be sealed with cloth back rubber adhesive duct tapes unless such tape is used in combination with mastic and drawbands.

3.   Field-Fabricated Duct Systems.

A.   Factory-made rigid fiberglass and flexible ducts for field-fabricated duct systems shall comply with UL 181. All pressure-sensitive tapes, mastics, aerosol sealants, or other closure systems used for installing field-fabricated duct systems shall meet the applicable requirements of UL 181, UL 181A, and UL 181B.

B.   Mastic sealants and mesh.

i.    Sealants shall comply with the applicable requirements of UL 181, UL 181A, and UL 181B, and be nontoxic and water resistant.

ii.    Sealants for interior applications shall be tested in accordance with ASTM C731 and D2202, incorporated herein by reference.

iii.   Sealants for exterior applications shall be tested in accordance with ASTM C731, C732, and D2202, incorporated herein by reference.

iv.   Sealants and meshes shall be rated for exterior use.

C.   Pressure-sensitive tape. Pressure-sensitive tapes shall comply with the applicable requirements of UL 181, UL 181A, and UL 181B.

D.   Joints and seams of duct systems and their components shall not be sealed with cloth back rubber adhesive duct tapes unless such tape is used in combination with mastic and drawbands.

E.   Drawbands used with flexible duct.

i.    Drawbands shall be either stainless-steel worm-drive hose clamps or UV-resistant nylon duct ties.

ii.    Drawbands shall have a minimum tensile strength rating of 150 pounds.

iii.   Drawbands shall be tightened as recommended by the manufacturer with an adjustable tensioning tool.

F.   Aerosol-sealant closures.

i.    Aerosol sealants shall meet the requirements of UL 723 and be applied according to manufacturer specifications.

ii.    Tapes or mastics used in combination with aerosol sealing shall meet the requirements of this section.

4.   Duct Insulation R-value Ratings.

All duct insulation product R-values shall be based on insulation only (excluding air films, vapor retarder, or other duct components) and tested C-values at 75°F mean temperature at the installed thickness, in accordance with ASTM C518 or ASTM C177, incorporated herein by reference, and certified pursuant to Section 110.8.

Duct Insulation Thickness.

The installed thickness of duct insulation used to determine its R-value shall be determined as follows:

A.   For duct board, duct liner, and factory-made rigid ducts not normally subjected to compression, the nominal insulation thickness shall be used.

B.   For duct wrap, installed thickness shall be assumed to be 75 percent (25 percent compression) of nominal thickness.

C.   For factory-made flexible air ducts, the installed thickness shall be determined by dividing the difference between the actual outside diameter and nominal inside diameter by two.

6.   Duct Labeling.

Insulated flexible duct products installed to meet this requirement shall include labels, in maximum intervals of 3 feet, showing the thermal performance R-value for the duct insulation itself (excluding air films, vapor retarder, or other duct components), based on the tests in Section 150.0(m)4 and the installed thickness determined by Section 150.0(m)5C.

7.   Backdraft Dampers.

All fan systems, regardless of volumetric capacity, that exchange air between the building conditioned space and the outside of the building shall be provided with backdraft or automatic dampers to prevent unintended air leakage through the fan system when the fan system is not operating.

8.   Gravity Ventilation Dampers.

All gravity ventilating systems that serve conditioned space shall be provided with either automatic or readily accessible, manually operated dampers in all openings to the outside except combustion inlet and outlet air openings and elevator shaft vents.

9.   Protection of Insulation.

Insulation shall be protected from damage, including that due to sunlight, moisture, equipment maintenance, and wind but not limited to the following: Insulation exposed to weather shall be suitable for outdoor service e.g., protected by aluminum, sheet metal, painted canvas, or plastic cover. Cellular foam insulation shall be protected as above or painted with a coating that is water retardant and provides shielding from solar radiation that can cause degradation of the material.

10.  Porous Inner Core Flex Duct.

Flexible ducts having porous inner cores shall not be used.

11.  Duct System Sealing and Leakage Testing.      

When space conditioning systems utilize forced air duct systems to supply conditioned air to an occupiable space, the ducts shall be sealed, as confirmed through field verification and diagnostic testing, in accordance with all applicable procedures specified in Reference Residential Appendix RA3.1, and the leakage compliance criteria specified in Reference Residential Appendix TABLE RA3.1-2, and conforming to one of the following Subsections A, B, or C as applicable:

A.   For single family dwellings and townhouses with the air-handling unit installed and the ducts connected directly to the air handler, the total leakage of the duct system shall not exceed 6 percent of the nominal system air handler airflow as determined utilizing the procedures in Reference Residential Appendix Section RA3.1.4.3.1.

B.   For single family dwellings and townhouses at the rough-in stage of construction prior to installation of the dwelling's interior finishing:

i.    Air-handling unit installed.

If the air-handling unit is installed and the ducts are connected directly to the air handler, the total leakage of the duct system shall not exceed 6 percent of the nominal system air handler airflow as determined utilizing the procedures in Reference Residential Appendix Sections RA3.1.4.3.2, RA3.1.4.3.2.1 and RA3.1.4.3.3.

ii.    Air-handling unit not yet installed.

If the air-handling unit is not yet installed, the total leakage of the duct system shall not exceed 4 percent of the nominal system air handler airflow as determined utilizing the procedures in Reference Residential Appendix Sections RA3.1.4.3.2, RA3.1.4.3.2.2 and RA3.1.4.3.3.

C.   For multifamily dwellings with the air-handling unit installed and the ducts connected directly to the air handler, regardless of duct system location,

i.    The total leakage of the duct system shall not exceed 12 percent of the nominal system air handler airflow as determined utilizing the procedures in Reference Residential Appendix Section RA3.1.4.3.1, or

ii.    The duct system leakage to outside shall not exceed 6 percent of the nominal system air handler airflow as determined utilizing the procedures in Reference Residential Appendix Section RA3.1.4.3.4.

12.  Air Filtration.      

Mechanical systems that supply air to an occupiable space through ductwork exceeding 10 ft (3 m) in length and through a thermal conditioning component, except evaporative coolers, shall be provided with air filter devices in accordance with the following:

A.   System Design and Installation.

i.    The system shall be designed to ensure that all recirculated air and all outdoor air supplied to the occupiable space is filtered before passing through the system's thermal conditioning components.

ii.    The system shall be designed to accommodate the clean-filter pressure drop imposed by the system air filter device(s). The design airflow rate and maximum allowable clean-filter pressure drop at the design airflow rate applicable to each air filter device shall be determined.

iii.   All system air filter devices shall be located and installed in such a manner as to allow access and regular service by the system owner.

iv.   All system air filter device locations shall be labeled to disclose the applicable design airflow rate and the maximum allowable clean-filter pressure drop as determined according to subsection ii above. The labels shall be permanently affixed to the air filter device readily legible, and visible to a person  replacing the air filter media.

B.   Air Filter Media Efficiency.

The system shall be provided with air filter media having a designated efficiency equal to or greater than MERV 6 when tested in accordance with ASHRAE Standard 52.2, or a particle size efficiency rating equal to or greater than 50percent in the 3.0–10 μm range when tested in accordance with AHRI Standard 680.

C.   Air Filter Media Pressure Drop.

The system shall be provided with air filter media that conforms to the maximum allowable clean-filter pressure drop determined according to Section 150.0(m)12Aii, as rated using AHRI Standard 680, for the applicable design airflow rate(s) for the system air filter device(s). If the alternative to 150.0(m)13B is utilized for compliance, the design clean-filter pressure drop for the system air filter media shall conform to the requirements given in TABLE 150.0-C or 150.0-D.

D.   Air Filter Media Product Labeling.

The system shall be provided with air filter media that has been labeled by the manufacturer to disclose the efficiency and pressure drop ratings that demonstrate conformance with Sections 150.0(m)12B and 150.0(m)12C

13. Duct System Sizing and Air Filter Grille Sizing.

Space conditioning systems that utilize forced air ducts to supply cooling to an occupiable space shall:

A.   Have a hole for the placement of a static pressure probe (HSPP), or a permanently installed static pressure probe (PSPP) in the supply plenum downstream of the air conditioning evaporator coil. The size, location, and labeling of the HSPP or PSPP shall conform to the requirements specified in Reference Residential Appendix RA3.3.1.1 as confirmed by field verification and diagnostic testing; and

EXCEPTION to 150.0(m)13A: Systems that cannot conform to the specifications for hole location in Reference Residential Appendix Figure RA3.3-1 shall not be required to provide holes as described in Figure RA3.3-1.

B.   Demonstrate, in every control mode, airflow greater than or equal to 350 CFM per ton of nominal cooling capacity through the return grilles, and an air-handling unit fan efficacy less than or equal to 0.58 W/CFM as confirmed by field verification and diagnostic testing in accordance with the procedures given in Reference Residential Appendix RA3.3.

ALTERNATIVE to Section 150.0(m)13B: Standard ducted systems (systems without zoning dampers) may comply by meeting the applicable requirements in TABLE 150.0-C or 150.0-D as confirmed by field verification and diagnostic testing in accordance with the procedures in Reference Residential Appendix Sections RA3.1.4.4 and RA3.1.4.5. The design clean-filter pressure drop requirements of Section 150.0(m)12C for the system air filter device(s) shall conform to the requirements given in TABLES 150.0-C and 150.0-D.

EXCEPTION to Section 150.0(m)13B: Multispeed compressor systems or variable speed compressor systems shall verify air flow (cfm/ton) and fan efficacy (Watt/cfm) for system operation at the maximum compressor speed and the maximum air handler fan speed.

14.  RESERVED

15.  Zonally Controlled Central Forced Air Systems.

Zonally controlled central forced air cooling systems shall be capable of simultaneously delivering, in every zonal control mode, an airflow from the dwelling, through the air handler fan and delivered to the dwelling, of greater than or equal to 350 CFM per ton of nominal cooling capacity, and operating at an air-handling unit fan efficacy of less than or equal to 0.58 W/CFM as confirmed by field verification and diagnostic testing in accordance with the applicable procedures specified in Reference Residential Appendix RA3.3.

EXCEPTION to Section 150.0(m)15: Multispeed compressor systems or variable speed compressor systems, or single speed compressor systems that utilize the performance compliance approach set forth in Section 150.1(b) shall demonstrate compliance for airflow (cfm/ton) and fan efficacy (Watt/cfm) by operating the system at maximum compressor capacity and maximum system fan speed and with all zones calling for conditioning.

(n) Water Heating System.     

1.   Systems using gas or propane water heaters to serve individual dwelling units shall include the following components:

A.   A 120V electrical receptacle that is within 3 feet from the water heater and accessible to the water heater with no obstructions; and

B.   A Category III or IV vent, or a Type B vent with straight pipe between the outside termination and the space where the water heater is installed; and

C.   A condensate drain that is no more than 2 inches higher than the base of the installed water heater, and allows natural draining without pump assistance, and

D.   A gas supply line with a capacity of at least 200,000 Btu/hr.

2.   Water heating recirculation loops serving multiple dwelling units shall meet the requirements of Section 110.3(c)5.

3.   Solar water-heating systems and collectors shall be certified and rated by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC) or by a testing agency approved by the Executive Director.

(o) Ventilation for Indoor Air Quality.

All dwelling units shall meet the requirements of ASHRAE Standard 62.2, Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings. Window operation is not a permissible method of providing the Whole-Building Ventilation airflow required in Section 4 of ASHRAE Standard 62.2. Continuous operation of central forced air system air handlers used in central fan integrated ventilation systems is not a permissible method of providing the whole-building ventilation airflow required in Section 4 of ASHRAE Standard 62.2. Additionally, all dwelling units shall meet the following requirements:

1.   Field Verification and Diagnostic Testing.

A.   Airflow Performance.

The Whole-Building Ventilation airflow required by Section 4 of ASHRAE Standard 62.2 shall be confirmed through field verification and diagnostic testing in accordance with the applicable procedures specified in Reference Residential Appendix RA3.7.

(p) Pool Systems and Equipment Installation.

Any residential pool system or equipment installed shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 110.4, as well as the requirements 'listed’ in this section.

1.   Pump sizing and flow rate.

A.   All pumps and pump motors installed shall be 'listed in the Commission’s directory of certified equipment and shall comply with the Appliance Efficiency Regulations.

B.   All pump flow rates shall be calculated using the following system equation:

WHERE:

H is the total system head in feet of water.

F is the flow rate in gallons per minute (gpm).

C is a coefficient based on the volume of the pool:

0.0167 for pools less than or equal to 17,000 gallons.

0.0082 for pools greater than 17,000 gallons.

C.   Filtration pumps shall be sized, or if programmable, shall be programmed, so that the filtration flow rate is not greater than the rate needed to turn over the pool water volume in 6 hours or 36 gpm, whichever is greater; and

D.   Pump motors used for filtration with a capacity of 1 hp or more shall be multi-speed; and

E.   Each auxiliary pool load shall be served by either separate pumps or the system shall be served by a multi-speed pump; and

EXCEPTION to Section 150.0(p)1E: Pumps less than 1 hp may be single speed.

F.   Multi-speed pumps shall have controls which default to the filtration flow rate when no auxiliary pool loads are operating; and

G.   For multi-speed pumps, the controls shall default to the filtration flow rate setting within 24 hours and shall have an override capability for servicing.

2.   System piping.

A.   A length of straight pipe that is greater than or equal to at least 4 pipe diameters shall be installed before the pump; and

B.   Pool piping shall be sized so that the velocity of the water at maximum flow for auxiliary pool loads does not exceed 8 feet per second in the return line and 6 feet per second in the suction line; and

C.   All elbows shall be sweep elbows or of an elbow-type that has a pressure drop of less than the pressure drop of straight pipe with a length of 30 pipe diameters.

3.   Filters. Filters shall be at least the size specified in NSF/ANSI 50 for public pool intended applications.

4.   Valves. Minimum diameter of backwash valves shall be 2 inches or the diameter of the return pipe, whichever is greater.

(q) Fenestration Products.

Fenestration separating conditioned space from unconditioned space or outdoors shall meet the requirements of either Item 1 or 2 below:

1.   Fenestration, including skylight products, must have a maximum U-factor of 0.58.

2.   The weighted average U-factor of all fenestration, including skylight products, shall not exceed 0.58.

EXCEPTION to Section 150.0(q)1: Up to 10 square feet of fenestration area or 0.5 percent of the Conditioned Floor Area, whichever is greater, is exempt from the maximum U-factor requirement.

(r)  Solar Ready Buildings.      

Shall meet the requirements of Section 110.10 applicable to the building project.

TABLE 150.0-A CLASSIFICATION OF HIGH EFFICACY AND LOW EFFICACY LIGHT SOURCES    

TABLE 150.0-B    MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR OTHER LIGHT SOURCES TO QUALIFY AS HIGH EFFICACY

TABLE 150.0-C: Return Duct Sizing for Single Return Duct Systems

TABLE 150.0-D:  Return Duct Sizing for Multiple Return Duct Systems