4.11 Mechanical Plan Check Documents

At the time a building permit application is submitted to the enforcement agency, the applicant also submits plans and energy compliance documentation. This section describes the documents and recommended procedures documenting compliance with the mechanical requirements of the Energy Standards. It does not describe the details of the requirements; these are presented in Section 4.2. The following discussion is addressed to the designer preparing construction documents and compliance documentation, and to the enforcement agency plan checkers who are examining those documents for compliance with the Energy Standards.

4.11.1 Field Inspection Checklist

New for the compliance documents is the Field Inspection Energy Checklist. Prescriptively the Documentation Author is responsible for filling out the Field Inspection Energy Checklist. For the Performance Approach the fields will be automatically filled. A copy shall be made available to the Field Inspector during different stage inspection.

The Field Inspection Energy Checklist is designed to help Field Inspectors look at specifics features that are critical to envelope compliance. These features should match the building plans as indicated on the Mechanical Field Inspection Energy Checklist or NRCC-MCH-01-E. The Field Inspector must verify after the installation of each measure (e.g. HVAC Systems). The Field Inspector in addition must collect a signed MECH-INST (Installation Certificate) from the installer.

In the case of the Field Inspection Energy Checklist does not match exactly the building plans or the MECH-INST document, the field inspector must verify the features are meeting the minimum efficiency or better and if so no further compliance is required from the Architect or responsible party. In the case the features do not meet the efficiencies (worse) the field inspector shall require recompliance with the actual installed features.

The Field Inspector need check the Pass or Fail check boxes only after the measures have been verified. If the Special Feature is checked, the enforcement agency should pay special attention to the items specified in the checklist. The local enforcement agency determines the adequacy of the justification, and may reject a building or design that otherwise complies based on the adequacy of the special justification and documentation. See MECH-2C Pages 1-2-3 of 3.

The local enforcement agency should pay special attention to the items specified in this checklist. These items require special written justification and documentation, and special verification. The local enforcement agency determines the adequacy of the justification, and may reject a building or design that otherwise complies based on the adequacy of the special justification and documentation submitted. See MECH-1C Pages 2-3 of 3.

If any of the Fail boxes are checked off, the field inspector shall indicate appropriate action of correction(s). See Field Inspection Energy Checklist on Page 2 of MECH-1C.

The use of each document is briefly described. The information and format of these may be included in the equipment schedule:

NRCC-MCH-02-E: Air, Water Side, and Service Hot Water & Pool System Requirements

Summarizes the major components of the heating and cooling systems, and service hot water and pool systems, and documents the location on the plans and in the specifications where the details about the requirements appear.

Documents the calculations used as the basis for the outdoor air ventilation rates. For VAV systems, it is also used to show compliance with the reduced airflow rates necessary before reheating, re-cooling or mixing of conditioned airstreams.

This document is used, following the prescriptive approach, to calculate total system fan power consumption for fan systems exceeding 25 brake horsepower. The “total system” includes supply, exhaust and return fans used for space conditioning.

NRCC-PLB-01-E: Certificate of Compliance – Water Heating System General Information

NRCI-PLB-02-E: High Rise Residential, Hotel/Motel Single Dwelling Unit Hot Water Systems Distribution

Used when individual water heating system is installed in each dwelling units in High Rise Residential, Hotel/Motel

NRCI-PLB-03-E: High Rise Residential, Hotel/Motel Central Hot Water Systems Distribution

This installation document is used when central water heating system is installed that service multiple dwelling units in High Rise Residential, Hotel/Motel

NRCI-PLB-04-E: Nonresidential Single Dwelling Unit Hot Water Systems Distribution

Used when individual water heating system is installed in each dwelling units in High Rise Residential, Hotel/Motel

NRCI-PLB-05-E: Nonresidential Central Hot Water Systems Distribution Water Heating System

This installation document is used when central water heating system is installed that service multiple dwelling units in High Rise Residential, Hotel/Motel

4.11.2 Mechanical Inspection

The mechanical building inspection process for energy compliance is carried out along with the other building inspections performed by the enforcement agency. The inspector relies upon the plans and upon the NRCC-MCH-01-E Certificate of Compliance document printed on the plans.

4.11.3 Acceptance Requirements

Acceptance requirements can effectively improve code compliance and help determine whether mechanical equipment meets operational goals and whether it should be adjusted to increase efficiency and effectiveness.

1. Document plans showing thermostat and sensor locations, control devices, control sequences and notes,

3. Document the operating and maintenance information, complete installation certificate and indicate test results on the Certificate of Acceptance, and submit the Certificate to the enforcement agency prior to receiving a final occupancy permit.

The administrative requirements contained in the Energy Standards require the mechanical plans and specifications to contain:

Requirements for acceptance testing for mechanical systems and equipment shown in the table below:

Table 4-24: Mechanical Acceptance Tests

Variable Air Volume Systems

Constant Volume Systems

Package Systems

Air Distribution Systems

Economizers

Demand Control Ventilation Systems

Ventilation Systems

Variable Frequency Drive Fan Systems

Hydronic Control Systems

Hydronic Pump Isolation Controls and Devices

Supply Water Reset Controls

Water Loop Heat Pump Control

Variable Frequency Drive Pump Systems

1. Within 90 days of receiving a final occupancy permit, record drawings be provided to the building owners.

For example, the plans and specifications would require an economizer. A construction inspection would verify the economizer is installed and properly wired. Acceptance tests would verify economizer operation and that the relief air system is properly functioning. Owners’ manuals and maintenance information would be prepared for delivery to the building owner. Finally, record drawing information, including economizer controller set points, must be submitted to the building owner within 90 days of the issuance of a final occupancy permit.

Although acceptance testing does not require that the construction team perform any plan review, they should review the construction drawings and specifications to understand the scope of the acceptance tests and raise critical issues that might affect the success of the acceptance tests prior to starting construction. Any construction issues associated with the mechanical system should be forwarded to the design team so that necessary modifications can be made prior to equipment procurement and installation.

The construction inspection is the first step in performing the acceptance tests. In general, this inspection should identify:

1. Mechanical equipment and devices are properly located, identified, calibrated and set points and schedules established.

2. Documentation is available to identify settings and programs for each device, and

3. For air distribution systems, this may include select tests to verify acceptable leakage rates while access is available.

Chapter 13 contains information on how to complete the acceptance documents. Example test procedures are also available in Chapter 13.

The installing contractor, engineer of record or owners agent shall be responsible for documenting the results of the acceptance test requirement procedures including paper and electronic copies of all measurement and monitoring results. They shall be responsible for performing data analysis, calculation of performance indices and crosschecking results with the requirements of the Energy Standards. They shall be responsible for issuing a Certificate of Acceptance. Enforcement agencies shall not release a final Certificate of Occupancy until a Certificate of Acceptance is submitted that demonstrates that the specified systems and equipment have been shown to be performing in accordance with the Energy Standards. The installing contractor, engineer of record or owners agent upon completion of undertaking all required acceptance requirement procedures shall record their State of California Contractor’s License number or their State of California Professional Registration License Number on each Certificate of Acceptance that they issue.

The acceptance testing process may require the design team to be involved in project construction inspection and testing. Although acceptance test procedures do not require that a contractor be involved with a constructability review during design-phase, this task may be included on individual projects per the owner’s request. Therefore, design professionals and contractors should review the contract provided by the owner to make sure it covers the scope of the acceptance testing procedures as well as any additional tasks.