LESSON
Created By:
Janie N. Sutton, P.E.,
Chief Mechanical Code Consultant
NC Department of Insurance
Office of State Fire Marshal
(919)-661-5880 ext 237
CS Number: 1762
Significant Changes to the 2012 NC Mechanical Code
DOMAIN: COGNITIVE
LEVEL OF LEARNING: KNOWLEDGE, COMPREHENSION
Presented By:
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Contact Information:
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Instructor number:
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Sponsor:
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MATERIALS: Overhead projector or laptop computer and multimedia projector; projection screen; North Carolina Administrative Code and Policies 2009 Edition, North Carolina Mechanical Code 2009 Edition, North Carolina Mechanical Code 2012 Edition, Significant Changes to the 2012 NC Mechanical Code Full Power Point Presentation.
MOTIVATION: To educate Code Enforcement Officials on the changes to the 2012 NC Mechanical Code, as well as provide Continuing Education.
TARGET: Certified North Carolina Code Enforcement Officials, Mechanical Level I, II or III.
Goal: This class is designed to introduce certified NC Mechanical inspectors to the significant code changes found in the 2012 NC State Mechanical Code.
This Lesson Plan is representative of six hours of Continuing Education.
SUMMARY: This presentation addresses the significant code changes from the 2006 IMC to the 2009 IMC including North Carolina Amendments. The 2012 NC Mechanical Code is based on the 2009 IMC.
Not all changes are reflected; only those considered significant to a majority of code enforcement officials.
OBJECTIVES
1. Identify commonalities used throughout the presentation to show changes between the 2009 and 2012 NC Mechanical Codes.
a. Slide 1: Significant Changes in the 2012 North Carolina Mechanical Code
i. Explain that this presentation was created by Janie Sutton for the Department of Insurance, Office of the State Fire Marshal.
ii. The timing is allowing time for questions and discussions.
iii. The instructor is encouraged to ask for questions, and if the students are hesitant to ask, then ask them questions to get the discussion started.
iv. Major changes in the code should be discussed to determine how the inspectors might interpret the new code.
v. It is offered to instructors across the state to use in training on the changes in the 2012 North Carolina Mechanical Code to provide consistency in training and interpretation of the 2012 codes.
vi. This presentation does not cover all of the changes in the 2012 code. It covers the ones that are most extensive and a few others.
b. Slide 2: Purpose of the Class
i. This course may be taken for 6 hours credit only once in a two year period.
ii. This course is not approved by the licensing board for mechanical contractors.
c. Slide 3: Purpose of the Class (cont’d)
i. Emphasize the mandatory date of March 1, 2012.
ii. The codes that have been approved and will become mandatory March 1, 2012 are this code, the plumbing code, the building code, the fire code, the fuel gas code, the residential code and the energy code.
iii. The 2011 electrical has not yet been approved as of July 1, 2011.
iv. Check the DOI website for updates on the status of these codes.
d. Slide 4: Errata
i. Read this slide and go to next slide.
e. Slide 5: Format of Presentation
i. Explain that this format is designed to make it easy to tell new code from current code, and comments from code language.
ii. As an instructor, you will need to make an exception and read the code.
iii. Then explain and discuss the code with the class.
Presenter Notes slides 1 – 5:
End of Presenter Notes slides 1 – 5:
2. Discuss the significant changes to Administration Chapter of the 2012 NC State Mechanical Code.
a. Slide 6: Chap.1 Administration
i. Sections 101 through 109 are changed by the North Carolina Building Code Council to reflect North Carolina Law.
ii. There are no changes in these sections.
b. Slide 7: 110.1 General
i. Read this slide, then go to the next slide for comments.
c. Slide 8: Section 110
i. Comment on types of systems that would be used on a temporary basis.
ii. Temporary chillers and boilers are examples.
iii. You can probably think of others.
d. Slide 9: 110.2 Conformance
i. Read this section and go to next slide for comments.
e. Slide 10: 110.2 Conformance (cont’d)
i. You do not need to read this since it is not code.
ii. Comment on the areas of the code that are important for life safety and access.
f. Slide 11: Section 110
i. This is a comment to introduce the next section of code on temporary utilities.
ii. Ask the class where this might apply.
g. Slide 12: 110.13 Temporary Utilities
i. Read this section and go to next slide.
h. Slide 13: 110.14 Termination of Approval
i. Read this slide and go to next slide for comment.
i. Slide 14: Section 110
i. Instructor may read or paraphrase the points on this slide.
ii. You may want to go back to the previous slide and read it again.
iii. Some inspections departments have had difficulty with temporary permits being closed and permanent permits not being issued.
iv. One way to control this is to require a bond for the temporary permit that is returned when it is closed out. (Suggestion only)
v. Note that each of the two previous paragraphs say that the code official “is authorized to” allow the use of temporary utilities and terminate the permit.
vi. The code official is not required to allow them.
vii. However, when the code official determines that these provisions can be met, he/she should be willing to use these provisions unless there is a good reason not to allow temporary utilities.
viii. Chapter 2 definition will not be covered here. Some definitions will be covered later.
Presenter Notes slides 6 – 14:
End of Presenter Notes slides 6 – 14:
3. Discuss the significant changes to the General Regulations Chapter 3 of the 2012 NC State Mechanical Code.
a. Slide 15: 301.4 Listed and Labeled
i. This part of section 301.4 has not changed.
ii. There is a new exception.
b. Slide 16: Section 301
i. Exception 2 has been added.
ii. Read the exception and go to next slide for comment.
c. Slide 17: Section 301 cont’d
i. New equipment designs for energy efficiency might be new types of dual fuel appliances.
ii. Ask the class about other field erected equipment they may have seen.
iii. This helps officials share information between jurisdictions.
d. Slide 18: Section 301 cont’d
i. Section 105 is where alternative means, methods, and materials are located.
ii. For field erected equipment this section can be used instead of 105. Any components or parts that should normally be listed shall be used and the design must be by a registered professional.
iii. For example, a built up air handler is typically designed by a registered professional. The arrangement is shown on drawings and the components described in the specifications.
e. Slide 19: 301.14.1 Foundation and Exterior Wall Sealing
i. This covers all types of piping and other openings. Where piping, cables, vents, ducts pass through foundations and exterior walls, the spaces shall be sealed to protect against the passage of rodents.
ii. This section also describes how it is to be sealed.
f. Slide 20: 304.4 New Paragraph added
i. Read this slide and talk about it.
ii. Ask in what Group H occupancies could you have an appliance with an ignition source. (toxics)
g. Slide 21: 304.6 Public Garages
i. This section is a clarification. Read only the existing and new.
ii. Do not read the portions that have been deleted.
iii. The next slide provides a diagram and opportunity to comment and discuss the code section.
h. Slide 22: Section 304 (cont’d)
i. The height requirement is based on the door height, which the code official can readily determine instead of a vehicle height that might not be known at the time of installation of the appliance.
i. Slide 23: Section 304 (cont’d)
i. If the vehicle can pass under the appliance, the height shall be one foot above the tallest vehicle garage door opening.
ii. If the vehicle cannot pass under the appliance, the minimum height is 8 feet above the floor.
j. Slide 24: 304.10.3 Crawl Space Supports
i. The North Carolina Mechanical Ad Hoc Committee changed this section to clarify the requirements.
ii. Read the new code text.
iii. Then go to next slide for discussion.
k. Slide 25: 304.10.3 Crawl Space Supports (cont’d)
i. The unit shall be supported a minimum of 2 inches above grade.
ii. The minimum for duct clearance from grade in a crawlspace is 4”.
iii. Does this change that requirement? No.
iv. Explain that in cases where the duct connection to the appliance is close to the bottom of the unit, the 4” above grade requirement must still be met.
l. Slide 26: 306.5 Equipment and appliances on roofs or elevated structures
i. Another clarification. Thank you!
ii. Read the code text and go to next slide.
m. Slide 27: 306 New Section
i. This is the new part from the ICC.
ii. Read this code text and go to next slide.
n. Slide 28: 306 New Section (cont’d)
i. Some architects have argued that the intent of the code is for roofs that are 16 feet above grade and that the parapet wall has no effect on this section.
ii. This change clarifies that the parapet wall height is counted.
iii. If the roof is less than 16 feet above grade and the parapet wall is more than 16 feet above grade, the permanent access shall still be provided.
iv. What is meant by “periodic maintenance”?
v. Discuss what this means.
vi. The intent is for any equipment that must be periodically cleaned, inspected, lubricated, parts changed out (like filters and belts), etc. must have permanent access.
vii. Without permanent access, the equipment or appliance will not be properly maintained.
o. Slide 29: Section 306.5
i. Read this slide and go to next.
p. Slide 30: 306.5 (cont’d)
i. Items 1 through 5 did not change.
ii. Read item 6.
q. Slide 31: 306.5 (cont’d)
i. The OSHA requirements are more restrictive than the code requirements.
ii. We do not enforce OSHA, they are listed for your information only.
r. Slide 32: 307.2.2 Drain Materials and Pipe sizes
i. This is part of the section on condensate disposal systems.
ii. The requirements for joints and connections have been added.
- Read the new code text.
iv. Go to next slide for discussion.
s. Slide 33: 307 Discussion
i. It is expected that a mechanical inspector would know enough about piping joints and connections to apply the provisions of Chapter 7.
t. Slide 34: Table 308.6
i. Table 308.6 is not shown here.
ii. The North Carolina Committee believes that there is an error in the last column, second type of assembly.
iii. All the other clearances in that column list 3” except for this one.
iv. The committee changed this one to 3” as well.
u. Slide 35: Section 308.7 Ammended
i. This is a comment to introduce the next slide.
ii. The North Carolina Mechanical Committee changes Table 308.6 to apply to unlisted equipment and therefore changes section 308.7 as well.
x. Slide 36: 308.7 Ammended
i. Read the text excluding the deleted text.
ii. Go to next slide for explanation.
y. Slide 37: Section 308 Discussion
- If the equipment is not listed, but the appliance label specifies a clearance, that clearance is to be used.
z. Slide 38: 312.1 Load Calculations
i. Read this slide and go to next one.
aa. Slide 39: Use of Manual S
i. Manual S is required in the 2012 International Mechanical Code.
ii. The North Carolina Mechanical Committee felt that this change is important so they brought it into the North Carolina 2012 Mechanical Code.
iii. Manual S goes into more detail on equipment sizing than Manual J.
iv. It provides sizing methods for the different types of heating and cooling equipment.
v. Is the inspector required to ask for proof that the equipment was sized using Manual S?
vi. Only if the inspector suspects that the equipment is not properly sized.
vii. The inspector has the right to ask for documentation to show code compliance.
viii. If you suspect that the load calculations were not performed and Manuals J and S were not used, you have the authority to ask for documentation.
ix. It is the decision of the inspection department whether to require calculations on all one and two family dwellings.
Presenter Notes slides 15 – 39:
End of Presenter Notes slides 15 – 39:
4. Discuss the significant changes to Ventilation Chapter 4 of the 2012 NC Mechanical Code.
a. Slide 40: Chap.4 Ventilation
- Chapters 4 and 5 have quite a few changes.
- Many of them are simply re-organizing the chapters to more clearly divide ventilation and exhaust and to group some requirements together.
- Requirements on exhaust were
removed from Chapter 4 and requirements on ventilation were removed from Chapter 5.
b. Slide 41: 401.1 Scope
i. This change clarifies that exhaust systems are found in Chapter 5.
ii. Read the existing and new code text.
c. Slide 42: 401.4 Intake Opening Location
i. The word intake was added for clarity.
ii. This section applies to intake openings only.
iii. Exhaust openings are moved to Chapter 5.
iv. Read the code text.
d. Slide 43: 401.4 Cont’d
i. These were removed because they refer to exhaust.
e. Slide 44: 401.4 Cont’d
i. These requirements were revised to apply to outdoor intake openings only.
ii. The exhaust opening requirements are in Chapter 5.
f. Slide 45: 401.4 Cont’d
i. Read this code text and go to next slide.
g. Slide 46: 401.4.1 Intake Openings
i. This section was deleted because the requirements were re-organized and placed in the previous section.