 
Mechanical Contractors
(Sections of the new code that might surprise you!)
Please note that the information below is not complete or does it include the southern Nevada area amendments. This information is provided to encourage you to purchase the 2003 IECC book and Southern Nevada IECC Code Amendments of February 1, 2005.
This book is for sale at the Clark County Building Department at Russell and Cameron for $35.00 from the cashier in the PAC Center (plancheck) side of the building. Only cash or a check will be accepted.
You can find more information on this code on the following websites:
- http://www.accessclarkcounty.com/development_services/index.htm
- http://www.energycodes.gov
Sec 101.2.2.2 Additions, Alterations Or Repairs (page 1)
Additions, alternations, renovations or repairs to a building envelope, mechanical, service water-heating, electrical distribution or illumination system or portion thereof shall conform to the provisions of this code as they relate to new construction without requiring the unaltered portion(s) of the existing system to comply with all of the requirements of this code. Additions, alterations or repairs shall not cause any one of the aforementioned and existing systems to become unsafe, hazardous or overloaded.
Sec 101.2.2.4 Change In Occupancy (page 1)
It shall be unlawful to make a change in the occupancy of any building or structure which would result in an increase in demand for either fossil fuel or electrical energy supply unless such a building or structure is made to comply with the requirements of this code or otherwise approved by the authority having jurisdiction. The code official shall certify that such building or structure meets the intent of the provisions of law governing building construction for the proposed new occupancy and that such change of occupancy does not result in any increase in demand for either fossil fuel or electrical energy supply or any hazard to the public health, safety or welfare.
Sec 803.2.8 Duct And Plenum Insulation And Sealing. (page 64)
All supply and return air ducts and plenums shall be insulated with a minimum of R-5 insulation when located in unconditioned spaces and with a minimum of R-8 insulation when located outside the building. When located within a building envelope assembly, the ducts or plenum shall be separated from the building exterior or unconditioned or exempt spaces by a minimum of R-8 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°F (8°C).
All joints, longitudinal and transverse seams and connections in ductwork, shall be securely fastened and sealed with welds, gaskets, mastics (adhesives), mastic-plus-embedded-fabric systems, or tapes. Tapes and mastics used to seal ductwork shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 181A or UL 181B. Duct connections to flanges of air distribution system equipment shall be sealed and mechanically fastened. Unlisted duct tape is not permitted as a sealant on any metal ducts.
Sec 803.3.2 HVAC Equipment Performance Requirements. (page 64)
Equipment shall meet the minimum efficiency requirements of Tables 803.3.2(1) through 803.3.2 (6) and Table 803.2.2(5), when tested and rated in accordance with the applicable test procedure. The efficiency shall be verified through certification under an approved certification program or, if no certification program exists, the equipment efficiency ratings shall be supported by data furnished by the manufacturer. Where multiple rating conditions or performance requirements are provided the equipment shall satisfy all stated requirements.
Where components, such a indoor or outdoor coils, from different manufactures are used, calculations and supporting data shall be furnished by the designer that demonstrate that the combined efficiency of that specified components meets the requirements herein
Where unitary or prepackaged equipment is used in a complex HVAC system and is not covered by Section 803.3.2, the equipment shall meet the applicable requirements of Section 803.2.2.
Exception:
Equipment listed in Table 803.3.2(2) not designed for operation at ARI Standard test conditions of 44°F (7° C) leaving chilled water temperature and 85°F (29°C) entering condenser water temperature shall have a minimum full load COP and IPLV rating as shown in Tables 803.3.2(3) through Tables 803.3.2(5) as applicable.
The tables values are only applicable over the following full load design ranges:
- Leaving Chilled Water Temperature: 40 to 48°F (4 to 9°C)
- Entering Condenser Water Temperature: 75 to 85°F (24 to 29°C)
- Condensing Water Temperature Rise 5 to 15°F (r3 tor8°C)
- Chillers designed to operate outside of these ranges are not covered by this code.
Sec 803.3.3 HVAC System Controls, Thermostats, Automatic Setback And Shutdown Capabilities (page 69)
Each heating and cooling system shall be provided with thermostatic controls as required in Sections 803.3.3.1 through 803.3.3.5.
803.3.3.1 Thermostatic Controls. The supply of heating and cooling energy to each zone shall be controlled by individual thermostatic controls capable of responding to temperature within the zone. Where humidification or dehumidification or both is provided, at least one humidity control device shall be provided for each humidity control system.
Exception:
Independent perimeter systems that are designed to offset only building envelope heat losses or gains or both servicing one or more perimeter zones also served by an interior system provided:
1. The perimeter system includes at least one thermostatic control zone for each building exposure having exterior walls facing only one orientation (within +/- 45 degrees)(0.8 rad) for more than 50 contiguous feet (15.2 m); and,
2. The perimeter system heating and cooling supply is controlled by a thermostat(s) located within the zones(s) served by the system.
803.3.3.1.1. Heat Pump Supplementary Heat. Heat pumps having supplementary electric resistance heat shall have controls that, except during defrost, prevent supplementary heat operation when the heat pump can meet the heating load.
803.3.3.2 Set Point Overlap Restrictions. Where used to control both heating and cooling, zone thermostatic controls shall provide a temperature range or deadband of at least 5°F (r2.8°C) within which the supply of heating and cooling energy to the zone is capable of being shut off or reduced to a minimum.
Exception: Thermostats requiring manual changeover between heating and cooling modes.
803.3.3.3 Off-Hour Controls. Each zone shall be provided with thermostatic setback controls tat are controlled by either an automatic time clock or programmable control system.
Exceptions:
- Zones that will be operate continuously.
- Zones with a full HVAC load demand not exceeding 6,800 Btu/h (2 kW) and having a readily accessible manual shutoff switch.
803.3.3.3.1 Thermostatic Setback Capabilities. Thermostatic setback controls shall have the capability to set back or temporarily operate the system to maintain zone temperatures down to 55°F (13° C or up to 85° F (29° C).
803.3.3.3.2 Automatic Setback and Shutdown Capabilities. Automatic time clock or programmable controls shall be capable of starting and stopping the system for seven different daily schedules per week and retaining their programming and time setting during a loss of power for at least 10 hours. Additionally, the controls shall have: a manual override that allows temporary operation of the system for up to 2 hours; a manually operated time capable of being adjusted to operate the system for up to 2 hours; or an occupancy sensor.
803.3.3.4 Shutoff Damper Controls. (page 69)
Both outdoor air supply and exhaust ducts shall be equipped with gravity or motorized dampers that will automatically shut when the systems or spaces serviced are not in use.
Exception: Individual supply systems with a design airflow rate of 3,000 cfm (1416 L/s) or less.
803.3.3.5 Economizers. (page 70)
Economizers shall be provided on each system with a cooling capacity great than 65,000 Btu/h (19 kW) in accordance with Section 803.2.6
Exceptions:
- Water economizers that are capable of cooling supply air by direct or indirect evaporation or both and providing up to 100 percent of the expected system cooling load at outside air temperatures of 50°F (10°C) dry bulb/45°F (7°C) wet bulb and below.
- Systems with a cooling capacity less than 135,000 Btu/h (40 kW) in Climate ones 3c, 5b, 7, 13b, and 14.
Sec 803.3.8 HVAC System Completion. (page 71)
Prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, the design professional shall provide evidence of system completion in accordance with sections 803.3.8.1 through 803.3.8.3
803.3.8.1 Air System Balancing. Each supply air outlet and zone terminal device shall be equipped with means for air balancing in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 6 of the International Mechanical Code. Discharge dampers are prohibited on constant volume fans and variable volume fans with motors 25 hp (18.6 kW) an larger.
803.3.8.2 Hydronics System Balancing. Individual Hydronics heating and cooling coils shall be equipped with means for balancing and pressure test connections.
803.3.8.3 Manuals. The construction documents shall require that an operating and maintenance manual be provided to the building owner by the mechanical contractor. The manual shall include, at least, the following:
- Equipment capacity (input and output) and required maintenance actions.
- Equipment operator and maintenance manual.
- HVAC system control maintenance and calibration information, including wiring diagrams, schematics, and control sequence descriptions. Desired or field-determined set points shall be permanently recorded on control drawings, at control devices or, for digital control systems, in programming comments.
- A complete written narrative of how each system is intended to operate.
Sec 101.2.2.2 Additions, Alterations Or Repairs (page 1)
Additions, alternations, renovations or repairs to a building envelope, mechanical, service water-heating, electrical distribution or illumination system or portion thereof shall conform to the provisions of this code as they relate to new construction without requiring the unaltered portion(s) of the existing system to comply with all of the requirements of this code.
Additions, alternations or repairs shall not cause any one of the aforementioned and existing systems to become unsafe, hazardous or overloaded.
Sec 101.2.2.4 Change In Occupancy (page 1)
It shall be unlawful to make a change in the occupancy of any building or structure which would result in an increase in demand for either fossil fuel or electrical energy supply unless such a building or structure is made to comply with the requirements of this code of otherwise approved by the authority having jurisdiction. The code official shall certify that such building or structure meets the intent of the provisions of law governing building construction for the proposed new occupancy and that such change of occupancy does not result in any increase in demand for either fossil fuel or electrical energy supply or any hazard to the public health, safety or welfare.
Sec 503.2 Mechanical Equipment Efficiency (page 37)
Equipment shown in Table 503.2 shall meet the specified minimum performance. Data furnished by the equipment supplier, or certified under a nationally recognized certification procedure, shall be used to satisfy theses requirements. All such equipment shall be installed in accordance wit the manufacturer’s instructions.
Sec 503.3.1 Load Calculations (page 37)
Heating and cooling systems design loads for the propose of sizing systems and equipment shall be determined in accordance with the procedures described in ASHRAE Fundamentals Handbook. Heating and cooling loads shall be adjusted to account for load reductions that are achieve when energy recovery systems are utilized in the HVAC system in accordance with the ASHRAE HVAC Systems and Equipment Handbook. Alternatively, design loads shall be determined by an approved equivalent computation procedure, using the design parameters specified in Chapter 3.
Table 503.2 Minimum Equipment Performance. (page 39)
(This information is found in a Table Available On Page 39 Of The IECC Code Book)
Sec 503.3.2.2 Thermostatic Control Capabilities. (page 39)
Where used to control comfort heating, thermostatic controls shall be capable of being set locally or remotely by adjustment or selection of sensors down to 55° F (13°C) or lower.
Where used to control comfort cooling, thermostatic controls shall be capable of being set locally or remotely by adjustment or selection of sensors up to 85° F (29°C) or higher.
Where used to control both comfort heating and cooling, thermostatic controls shall be capable of providing a temperature range or deadband of at least 5°F (r3°C) within which the supply of heating and cooling energy is shut off or reduced to a minimum.
Exceptions:
- Special occupancy or special usage conditions approved by the code official.
- Thermostats that require manual changeover between heating and cooling modes.
Sec 503.3.3 Duct And Plenum Insulation (page 40)
All supply and return-air ducts and plenums installed as part of an HVAC air-distribution system shall be thermally insulated in accordance with Table 503.3.3.3, or where such ducts or plenums operate at static pressures greater than 2 inches w.g. (500 Pa), in accordance with Section 503.3.3.4.1
Exceptions:
- Factory-installed plenums, casing or ductwork furnished as a part of the HVAC equipment tested and rated in accordance with Section 503.2.
- Ducts with the conditioned space that they serve.
Sec 503.3.3.4.3 Sealing Requirements (page 41)
All joints, longitudinal and transverse seams, and connections in ductwork, shall be securely fastened and sealed with welds, gaskets, mastics (adhesives), mastic-plus-embedded-fabric systems or tapes. Tapes and mastics used to seal ductwork shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 181A or UL 181B. Duct connections to flanges of air distribution system equipment shall be sealed and mechanically fastened. Unlisted duct tape is not permitted as a sealant on any metal ducts.
Sec 503.3.3.7 Balancing (page 41)
The HVAC system is design shall provide means for balancing air and water systems. Balancing mechanism shall include, but not be limited to, damper, temperature and pressure test connections, and balancing valve.
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