[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners (now the Council) of the City of Perth Amboy: Art. 1, 6-20-51 as Ord. No. C-441; Art. II, 6-20-51 as Ord. No. C-442. Sections 129-1, 129-10 and 129-14A amended at time of adoption of Code; see Ch. 1, General Provisions. Other amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 6-20-51 as Ord. No. C-441]
For the purpose of this Article, the following terms shall have and shall be construed to have the following meanings:
AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
Any combination of equipment, whether compressor or other type, by which heat is removed from the air and from which the accumulated or effluent heat is wholly or partially removed by the use of water.
A. 
AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEMAn installation for maintenance, by heat removal, of temperatures which are not less than sixty degrees Fahrenheit (60° F.).
B. 
REFRIGERATION SYSTEMAn installation for maintenance, by heat removal, of temperatures which are less than sixty degrees Fahrenheit (60° F.).
BUILDING DEPARTMENT
The Building Department of the City of Perth Amboy.
BUILDING INSPECTOR
The Inspector of Buildings of the City of Perth Amboy or his duly authorized agent or representative.
EQUIPMENT
Equipment for air-conditioning and refrigeration systems as defined and referred to in this Article.
INSTALLATION
Installation of equipment or the modification, alteration or change in existing equipment.
PERSON
Includes the singular and the plural, and also includes any person, firm, corporation, association, club, copartnership, society or any other organization.
SUPERINTENDENT
The Water and Sewerage Utilities Superintendent and General Engineer or his duly authorized agent or representative.[1]
SYSTEM
Any combination of apparatus, individual unit, group or collection of units supplied with water through any single-customer service pipe connected to the public water system.
UNITS
Includes equipment as herein referred to and defined.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of code; see Ch. l, General Provisions.
No person shall install, modify, alter, operate or use any equipment for air conditioning or refrigeration which requires a supply of water from the water system of the City of Perth Amboy without first having procured written approval therefor from the Superintendent and Building Inspector.
A. 
Application for a permit shall first be made to the Superintendent for approval. Thereafter, the application shall be submitted to the Building Inspector.
B. 
The application for a permit shall be made in writing on approved forms and shall provide the following information:
(1) 
Name and address of the applicant.
(2) 
Location of the premises where installation is proposed.
(3) 
Name and address of the owners of the premises.
(4) 
Name of manufacturer of the units requiring water to be installed.
(5) 
Manufacturer's identification and classification of the refrigeration units.
(6) 
Manufacturer's rating of maximum refrigerative capacity of the unit or units under the conditions of the planned installation. [Rating may be stated in tons per twenty-four (24) hours or in Btu per hour.]
(7) 
Horsepower of compressor prime mover, if unit is of compressor type.
(8) 
Where water conservation devices are required, the manufacturer's name, identification, classification and size of the conservation equipment.
(9) 
Elevation and plan showing general piping arrangement and details of all points of connection to the building's water supply piping (piping direct to condenser units, makeup supply into tower pan, etc.).
(10) 
Name and address of plumber engaged by the applicant to perform the installation.
(11) 
Signature of applicant.
(12) 
Such additional pertinent information as shall be required by the Superintendent and Building Inspector.
A. 
For the purpose of this Article, in no event shall the rated capacity in tons be considered less than the following:
(1) 
Total maximum Btu per hour of capacity of the installation divided by twelve thousand (12,000); or
(2) 
The nameplate horsepower of any compressor prime mover unit for any air-conditioning installation; or
(3) 
Two-thirds (2/3) the nameplate horsepower of Subsection A(2) above for any refrigeration installation.
B. 
In the absence of the required manufacturer's maximum rating, the Superintendent may specify the tonnage of the installation at the ratings indicated by Subsection A(1), (2) or (3) above, or, if these appear inadequate, then by whatever other measure of capacity appears to him to be proper.
A. 
Permits to install piping or connect equipment shall be issued by the Building Inspector only in the names of licensed and bonded plumbers who are duly registered to perform plumbing work in the City of Perth Amboy or to plumbers who are agents or in the employ of the municipal, state or federal government for installations to be made in premises in their respective charge.
B. 
A request for final inspection of any installation shall be submitted in writing to the Building Inspector within forty-eight (48) hours after completion of said installation.
No installation shall be put in operation or use until after final inspection and approval thereof by the Building Inspector and a written permit to operate and use the equipment is issued by the Building Inspector in the name of the owner thereof.
A. 
Systems with a capacity of one and one-half (1 1/2) tons [per twenty-four (24) hours] or less shall not use water directly for indirectly, except when used with conservation equipment) from the public supply.
B. 
Systems with a total capacity of more than one aid one-half (1 1/2) tons [per twenty-four (24) hours] but not exceeding three (3) tons [per twenty-four (24) hours] may use water directly from the public supply, at a rate not exceeding two (2.0) gallons per minute per ton if the water temperature is seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit (75° F.) or less or three (3.0) gallons per minute per ton if it is above seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit (75° F.), provided they are equipped with an automatic regulating valve which will stop the flow of water when the refrigerating machine is shut down and will throttle the flow of water down to the momentary requirements of the system.
C. 
All systems having total capacities exceeding three (3) tons [per twenty-four (24) hours] shall be equipped with evaporative condensers, cooling towers, spray ponds or other water-cooling equipment. This equipment shall be of sufficient capacity to ensure conformance with the requirements in Table 1 for makeup water when operating under full loading at maximum summer temperatures.
Table 1
Maximum Allowable Water Use
Water Hardness
(ppm)
Maximum Use
(gpm/ton)
0 - 139
0.1
140- 199
0.15
D. 
The Superintendent is hereby authorized to discontinue and shut off water service to any person who refuses or fails to comply with the provisions of this Article within forty-eight (48) hours after notification of said violation by the Superintendent or Building Inspector.
A. 
On installations which operate with the use of water obtained directly from the public supply system, every direct connection shall be equipped with a suitable brass-body, brass-fitted check valve installed in the branch supply line to each unit.
B. 
Discharge connections for the disposal of waste waters shall be in strict accordance with applicable statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations of state and local health and regulatory bodies.
C. 
Cooling waters which are to be reused for other purposes shall be provided with free, above-the-rim discharge before entering other equipment; otherwise, permission shall be obtained in writing from the Superintendent, approving the proposed connections and use.
D. 
On installations other than those described above, there shall be a physical break between the public water supply piping and the piping of the installation, so arranged as to make impossible back siphonage to the public water supply system.
Any permit issued pursuant to this Article to operate and use equipment may be revoked by the Superintendent or Building Inspector for any one of the following reasons:
A. 
Failure of the holder of the permit to discontinue using water for the purpose authorized by the permit immediately upon notice to do so issued by the Superintendent during an emergency or to forestall an impending emergency.
B. 
Alterations, changes of equipment or piping, improper operation or lack of maintenance which results in conditions that are hazardous to the potable water supply either within the premises or in supply mains or that cause unnecessary waste of water.
C. 
The use of water in excess of the quantities permitted and authorized by this Article.
D. 
Failure to comply with any of the provisions of this Article or any of the pertinent provisions of the Building Code, Fire Prevention, Electric and Plumbing Ordinances of the City of Perth Amboy.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 170, Building Construction; Ch. 204, Electrical standards; Ch. 227, Fire Prevention; and Ch. 326, Plumbing.
Any person who violates any of the provisions of this Article shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500) or by imprisonment for a term not to exceed ninety (90) days, or by both, and each violation and each day such violation of this Article continues shall be deemed and taken to be and constitute a separate and distinct offense.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code; see Ch. 1, General Provisions.
A. 
This Article shall take effect, as to new installations, immediately after final adoption and publication as provided by law.
B. 
This Article shall take effect, as to nonconforming existing installations, within ninety (90) days after final adoption and publication as provided by law. Existing installations shall be modified and altered to conform to the provisions and requirements of this Article, and applications for approval and permission to install, operate and use modified or altered installations shall be made in the manner prescribed by this Article.
In the event of an emergency or to forestall an impending emergency concerning the City of Perth Amboy water system, all equipment using water from the city's water system, whether equipped with water conservation devices or not, shall be subject to immediate discontinuance of operation on orders from the Superintendent.
[Adopted 6-20-51 as Ord. No. C-442]
For the purpose of this Article, the following terms shall have and shall be construed to have the following meanings:
BUSINESS BUILDINGS
Buildings or parts of buildings which are not public buildings or residential buildings, including but not restricted or limited to office buildings, stores, markets, restaurants, warehouses, freight depots, garages, factories and laboratories.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS
Buildings or parts of buildings in which persons congregate for civic, political, educational, religious or recreational purposes, including but not restricted or limited to theaters, courthouses, hospitals and schools.
RESIDENCE BUILDINGS
Buildings or parts of buildings in which sleeping accommodations are provided, except such as may be classed as public buildings, including but not restricted or limited to dwellings, tenement houses, apartment houses, hotels, lodging houses, dormitories and clubhouses.
UNIT COOLERS
Coolers which can be removed from the users' premises without disconnecting any refrigerant containing parts and which do not contain more than ten (10) pounds of any nonirritant or nonflammable refrigerant.
A. 
No person, firm, corporation, association, club, copartnership, society or any other organization shall install, modify, alter or use any equipment for air conditioning or refrigeration without having first obtained written approval from the Water and Sewerage Utilities Superintendent and General Engineer and a written permit therefor from the Inspector of Buildings of the City of Perth Amboy.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of code; see Ch. l, General Provisions.
B. 
A permit fee, payable to the Inspector of Buildings, is hereby fixed and established as follows:
(1) 
Five dollars ($5) per thousand for first two thousand dollars ($2,000) of system cost.
(2) 
Two dollars ($2) additional for each one thousand dollars ($1,000) over first two thousand dollars ($2,000) of system cost.
(3) 
Two dollars ($2) for installation of approved unit.
C. 
No permit shall be issued unless there is strict compliance with the provisions of this Article and the pertinent provisions of Article I and the Fire Prevention. Electric and Plumbing Ordinances of the City of Perth Amboy.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 204, Electrical Standards; Ch. 227, Fire Prevention; and Ch. 326, Plumbing.
A. 
For the purpose of this Article, all air-conditioning refrigerants shall be classified as A, B or C.
(1) 
Class A: ammonia or any other irritant or flammable refrigerant.
(2) 
Class B: any nonirritant or nonflammable refrigerant in excess of fifty (50) pounds.
(3) 
Class C: any nonirritant or nonflammable refrigerant in the amount of fifty (50) pounds or less.
B. 
The kind and amount of the refrigerant to be used shall be plainly and clearly marked and identified on the exterior of all air-conditioning machines and unit coolers.
A. 
No air-conditioning system or apparatus constructed to use dangerous, toxic or flammable gases shall be installed in any public building, theater or in any building wherein persons are harbored to receive medical, charitable or other care or treatment or wherein persons are to be held or detained under legal restraint.
B. 
Every air-conditioning machine or apparatus installed in the City of Perth Amboy shall be designed and installed in accord with the rules approved by the Inspector of Buildings.
C. 
No air-conditioning machinery or apparatus shall be installed in any building unless the proposed location of the machinery is first approved by the Inspector of Buildings as safe and suitable for the proposed use.
D. 
In a public building, no Class A refrigerant shall be used unless the refrigeration machinery is located in a room in the cellar or first story having direct access to a street, provided such location has no direct connection with any other part of the building. (The Inspector of Buildings may grant exceptions to this subsection where conditions warrant such exceptions.)
E. 
In a residence building, only Class B and Class C refrigerants may be used. The maximum of Freon (F-12) permitted in any one (1) machine shall not exceed one hundred (100) pounds.
F. 
Class A refrigerants shall not be used in any air-conditioning systems where the direct expansion of gases is used to cool the air.
G. 
Where the direct expansion of gas is used to cool the air in conditioning machinery, the only refrigerants permitted will be Class B and Class C.
H. 
Where there are flames or flame-producing devices, refrigerants dichlorodifluoromethane (Freon F-12), dichlorotetrafluoroethane (F-114) and monofluorotrichloromethane (F-11) shall be considered as Class A refrigerants.
I. 
Odorless refrigerants shall be treated with oil of wintergreen or other substance that will give warning of leaks.
A. 
Air-conditioning refrigerating machinery using Class A or Class B refrigerants shall be installed in fireproof rooms with self-closing doors and having direct outside approved mechanical ventilation. Exits from room shall afford positive escape in case of an emergency.
B. 
All air-conditioning refrigerating machinery shall be equipped with such standard relief valves, pressure-limiting devices and other safety devices as the Inspector of Buildings may approve.
C. 
Machinery using over one hundred (100) pounds of Class A refrigerants shall be provided with Fire Department flush valves and mixing chambers.
Except as otherwise permitted, remote control shall be provided for each central air-conditioning machine in addition to controls provided with the machine room. Where the machine is in the upper part of the building, the remote control shall be located in the first story, When required, an air-conditioning system shall have an emergency shutdown controlled manually or by one of the following automatic devices: an approved thermostat, an automatic sprinkler or other approved heat-actuated device. All controls shall be placarded "AIR-CONDITIONING EMERGENCY CONTROL." Remote controls shall not be required in buildings under three (3) stories in height where refrigerants are nonirritating and nonflammable.
A. 
The air intake of an air-conditioning system shall be from the outside, except in a recirculating system. Intakes shall be protected by suitable metal screens and approved automatic shutters or doors.
B. 
In no case shall any system be designed or installed so as to permit the passage of air through or the entry of air from any area or room containing or producing any flammable or dangerous vapor, smoke or dust.
A. 
The entire system of ducts shall be self-contained.
B. 
Fireproof materials only shall be used in the construction and lining of ducts. Clearance shall be not less than one (1) inch between metal ducts and any adjacent combustible material. Ducts shall not be placed in stairways, elevators or dumbwaiter shafts.
C. 
Ducts shall be constructed as follows:
Up to 12 inches in greatest dimension: 26 gauge, .019.
13 inches to 40 inches in greatest dimension: 24 gauge, .025.
41 inches to 60 inches in greatest dimension: 22 gauge, .031.
61 inches to 94 inches in greatest dimension: 20 gauge, .037.
95 inches and over in greatest dimension: 18 gauge, .050.
D. 
Ducts passing through fire walls may be permitted by the Inspector of Buildings if provided with automatic fire doors or shutters approved by the National Board of Fire Underwriters, one (1) shutter to be provided on each side of the wall through which the duct passes.
E. 
When vertical ducts (within the same fire area) serve more than one (1) floor, approved automatic dampers shall be provided on all openings from such vertical ducts, including connections at branch ducts from such vertical ducts and openings in branches.
F. 
In all public buildings there shall be installed automatic dampers, operated by heat-actuated devices, over the face of each duct outlet.
G. 
All ducts passing through unprotected combustible floors shall be encased with approved fireproof material not less than one and one-half (1 1/2) inches thick.
A. 
Except as may be otherwise specifically permitted or prescribed, the transmission of air through buildings for indirect heating or ventilation shall be by means of ducts constructed as in this section provided.
B. 
No casing, furring or lath of wood shall be placed against or over a duct of any kind; but this shall not prevent the placing of woodwork on a covering over such duct, of metal lath and plaster, plasterboard or asbestos, provided the thickness of the covering is not less than seven-eighths (7/8) of an inch.
C. 
Ducts hereafter placed in combustible partitions shall be covered with one-half-inch corrugated asbestos or shall be constructed double, with a one-half-inch air space. The asbestos covering or outside pipe shall be not less than one and one-half (1 1/2) inches away from the woodwork. In lieu of the above protection, four (4) inches of brickwork or concrete may be placed between the duct and the woodwork.
D. 
Ducts hereafter placed between the flooring and ceiling of nonfireproof floors shall be constructed double, with a one inch air space. The outside pipe shall be not less than two (2) inches from any woodwork, but shall be covered with metal.
E. 
Ducts hereafter placed in closets or similar concealed spaces shall be double, with a one-and-one-half-inch air space, or shall be covered with approved noncombustible insulation not less than one (1) inch thick. When constructed double, the outside pipe shall be not less than No. 18 United States gauge and not less than one (1) inch from any woodwork.
F. 
Ducts hereafter placed to pass through combustible partitions or floors shall be constructed double, with a one and one-half inch air space, open at one end, or shall be covered with approved noncombustible insulation not less than one (1) inch thick.
G. 
Ducts used for hot-air furnace heating hereafter placed under cellar ceilings shall be at least six (6) inches below wood floor beams, wood lath and plaster ceiling or other noncombustible materials, but if such noncombustible construction is protected by metal lath and plaster, plasterboards or one-half-inch asbestos, the distance may be not less than three (3) inches.
H. 
The cold-air duct of any heating system shall be of metal or other approved fireproof material.
I. 
No hot-air furnace duct shall be placed in any floor, partition or enclosure of combustible construction unless it is at least eight (8) feet distant in a horizontal direction from the furnace.