City of Lubbock, TX MECHANICAL CODE

Editor’s note–See corresponding note located in Appendix A of this code.

Fee schedule.

Section 106.5.2 is hereby amended by inserting the following fee schedule:

MECHANICAL FEE SCHEDULE
New Construction:	$0.06 per sq. ft. of gross floor area under roof, $50.00 minimum. For warehouse and storage occupancies with no more than four (4) mechanical units without branch ducts are to be installed and comprise the entire HVAC system, the fee shall be calculated in the same manner as for alterations and remodeling below.
Additions to floor area, or remodeling involving complete HVAC system replacement:	As for new construction
Alterations & remodeling not involving total HVAC system replacement (no change in building area), including new installations, replacement and repair of: Air handlers, furnaces, air conditioning and ventilation equipment and duct systems, grease hoods, exhaust systems, boilers, chillers, etc. requiring inspection approval:	$2.00 per $1,000.00 valuation, $50.00 minimum (Where more than one inspection is required, an additional fee of $15.00 shall be assessed for each additional inspection)
Miscellaneous "generic" permits for new installations, replacement and repair of: Air handlers, furnaces, air conditioning and ventilation equipment and duct systems, grease hoods, exhaust systems, boilers, chillers, etc. requiring inspection approval:	$50.00 (Where more than one inspection is required, an additional fee of $15.00 shall be assessed for each additional inspection)
Permit fees, work commencing prior to permit approval:	As for building permit fees, except that permit fee calculations shall be based on this section.
Renewal of expired permit:
Renewal of involuntarily terminated permit:
Permit transfer fee:
Re-inspection Fees:

(b)

Administrative amendments and cross-references to articles 28.01 through 28.08.

The following administrative provisions within chapter one of the International Mechanical Code are hereby stricken, and the corresponding provisions within articles 28.01 through 28.08 of this Code of Ordinances shall govern, as indicated in table 28.11.003 below:

TABLE 28.11.003 ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS CROSS-REFERENCE
2015 International Mechanical Code Section	Section Heading/Subject	Refer to Lubbock Code of Ordinances Chapter Section
106.5.3	Fee refunds	28.05.109
108.4	Violation penalties	28.02.006
108.5	Stop work orders	28.02.007
109.1 through 109.7	Means of appeal	2.03.491 through 2.03.495

(1983 Code, secs. 6-103, 6-104; Ordinance 2009-O0034, sec. 1, adopted 4/27/2009; Ordinance 2011-O0106, sec. 1, adopted 11/3/2011; Ordinance 2016-O0074 adopted 5/12/16; Ordinance 2020-O0018 adopted 2/11/2020)

(a)

Guards.

Section 304.11 is hereby amended to read as follows:

304.11 Guards. Guards shall be provided where various components that require service and roof hatch openings are located within 10 feet (3048 mm) of a roof edge or open side of a walking surface and such edge or open side is located more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the floor, roof, or grade below. The guard shall extend not less than 30 inches (762 mm) beyond each end of components that require service. The top of the guard shall be located not less than 42 inches (1067 mm) above the elevated surface adjacent to the guard. The guard shall be constructed so as to prevent the passage of a 21-inch-diameter (533 mm) sphere and shall comply with the loading requirements for guards specified in the International Building Code.

Exceptions:
1.	Guards are not required where permanent fall arrest/restraint anchorage connector devices that comply with ANSI/ASSE Z 359.1 are affixed for use during the entire lifetime of the roof covering. The devices shall be re-evaluated for possible replacement when the entire roof covering is replaced. The devices shall be placed not more than 10 feet (3048 mm) on center along hip and ridge lines and placed not less than 10 feet (3048 mm) from roof edges and the open sides of walking surfaces.
2.	Guards are not required to be installed upon replacement of legally-installed pre-existing rooftop appliances and equipment within existing rough openings that would otherwise be subject to Section 304.11, provided that a fall hazard warning sign is affixed to the service access side of the equipment.

(b)

Sloped roofs.

Section 306.5.1 is hereby amended to read as follows:

306.5.1 Sloped roofs. Where appliances, equipment, fans or other components that require service are installed on a roof having a slope of six units vertical in 12 units horizontal (50 percent slope) or greater and having an edge more than 30 inches (762 mm) above grade at such edge, a level platform shall be provided on each side of the appliance or equipment to which access is required for service, repair or maintenance. The platform shall not be less than 30 inches (762 mm) in any dimension and shall be provided with guards. The guards shall extend not less than 42 inches above the platform, shall be constructed so as to prevent the passage of a 21-inch diameter sphere and shall comply with the loading requirements for guards specified in the International Building Code. Access shall not require walking on roofs having a slope greater than 6 units vertical in 12 units horizontal (50 percent slope). Where access involves obstructions greater than 30 inches in height, such obstructions shall be provided with ladders installed in accordance with Section 306.5 or stairways installed in accordance with the requirements specified in the International Building Code in the path of travel to and from appliances, fans or equipment requiring service.

(c)

Auxiliary and secondary drain systems.

Section 307.2.3 is hereby amended to read as follows:

307.2.3 Auxiliary and secondary drain systems. In addition to the requirements of Section 307.2.1, where damage to any building components could occur as a result of overflow from the equipment primary condensate removal system, one of the following auxiliary protection methods shall be provided for each cooling coil or fuel-fired appliance that produces condensate:

1.	An auxiliary drain pan with a separate drain shall be provided under the coils on which condensation will occur. The auxiliary pan drain shall discharge to a conspicuous point of disposal to alert occupants in the event of a stoppage of the primary drain. The pan shall have a minimum depth of 1-1/2 inches (38 mm), shall be not less than 3 inches (76 mm) larger than the unit, or the coil dimensions in width and length and shall be constructed of corrosion-resistant material. Galvanized sheet steel pans shall have a minimum thickness of not less than 0.0236 inch (0.6010 mm) (No. 24 gage). Nonmetallic pans shall have a minimum thickness of not less than 0.0625 inch (1.6 mm).
2.	A separate overflow drain line shall be connected to the drain pan provided with the equipment. Such overflow drain shall discharge to a conspicuous point of disposal to alert occupants in the event of a stoppage of the primary drain. The overflow drain line shall connect to the drain pan at a higher level than the primary drain connection.
3.	An auxiliary drain pan without a separate drain line shall be provided under the coils on which condensate will occur. Such pan shall be equipped with a water-level detection device conforming to UL 508 that will shut off the equipment served prior to overflow of the pan. The auxiliary drain pan shall be constructed in accordance with Item 1 of this section.

(d)

307.2.4.1 Ductless mini-split system traps.

Section 307.2.4.1 is hereby stricken it its entirety.

(e)

Ventilation required.

Section 401.2 is hereby amended to read as follows:

401.2 Ventilation required. Every occupied space shall be ventilated by natural means in accordance with Section 402 or by mechanical means in accordance with Section 403.

(f)

Local Exhaust.

Section 403.3.2.3 is hereby amended to read as follows:

403.3.2.3 Local exhaust. Local exhaust systems shall be provided in kitchens, bathrooms and toilet rooms and shall have the capacity to exhaust the minimum airflow rate determined in accordance with Table 403.3.2.3.

TABLE 403.3.2.3 MINIMUM REQUIRED LOCAL EXHAUST RATES FOR GROUP R-2, R-3, AND R-4 OCCUPANCIES
AREA TO BE EXHAUSTED	EXHAUST RATE CAPACITY
Kitchens	100 cfm intermittent or 25 cfm continuous
Bathrooms & toilet rooms	50 cfm intermittent or 20 cfm continuous

Exception: The normal operation of bathroom and toilet room exhaust fans, as well as kitchen range hood fans shall be considered adequate to satisfy the intermittent exhaust rate requirements without the addition of additional exhaust fans.

(g)

Manicure and pedicure stations.

Section 502.20 is hereby amended to read as follows:

502.20 Manicure and pedicure stations. Manicure and pedicure stations shall be provided with an exhaust system in accordance with Table 403.3.1.1, Note h. Manicure tables and pedicure stations shall be provided with factory-installed exhaust inlets.

(h)

Exhaust installation.

Section 504.4 is hereby amended to read as follows:

504.4 Exhaust installation. Dryer exhaust ducts for clothes dryers shall terminate on the outside of the building and shall be equipped with a back draft damper. Screens shall not be installed at the duct termination. Ducts shall not be connected or installed with sheet metal screws or other fasteners that will obstruct the exhaust flow. Clothes dryer exhaust ducts shall not be connected to a vent connector, vent or chimney. Clothes dryer exhaust ducts shall not extend into or through ducts or plenums.

Exception: Back draft dampers shall not be required for vertical duct penetrations through roofs.

(i)

Length identification.

Section 504.8.5 is hereby amended to read as follows:

504.8.5. Length identification. Where the exhaust duct is concealed within the building construction and exceeds a total developed length of 35 feet, the equivalent length of the exhaust duct shall be identified on a permanent label or tag. The label or tag shall be located within 6 feet of the exhaust duct connection.

(j)

Common exhaust systems for clothes dryers in multi-story structures.

Section 504.10 is hereby amended to read as follows:

504.10. Common exhaust systems for clothes dryers located in multi-story structures. Where a common multistory duct system is designed and installed to convey exhaust from multiple clothes dryers, the construction of the system shall be in accordance with all of the following:

1.	The shaft in which the duct is installed shall be constructed and fire-resistance rated as required by the International Building Code.
2.	Dampers shall be prohibited in the exhaust duct. Penetrations of the shaft and ductwork shall be protected in accordance with Section 607.5.5, Exception 2.
3.	Rigid metal ductwork shall be installed within the shaft to convey the exhaust. The ductwork shall be constructed of sheet steel having a minimum thickness of 0.0187 inch (No. 26 gage) and in accordance with SMACNA Duct Construction Standards.
4.	The ductwork within the shaft shall be designed and installed without offsets.
5.	The exhaust fan motor design shall be in accordance with Section 503.2.
6.	The exhaust fan motor shall be located outside of the airstream.
7.	The exhaust fan shall run continuously.
8.	Exhaust fan operation shall be monitored in an approved location and shall initiate an audible or visual signal when the fan is not in operation.
9.	Makeup air shall be provided for the exhaust system.
10.	A cleanout opening shall be located at the base of the shaft to proved access to the duct to allow for cleaning and inspection. The finished opening shall be not less than 12 inches by 12 inches.
11.	Screens shall not be installed at the termination.

(k)

Return air openings.

Section 601.5 is hereby amended to read as follows:

601.5 Return air openings. Return air openings for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems shall comply with all of the following:

1.	Openings shall not be located less than 10 feet (3048 mm) measured in any direction from an open combustion chamber or draft hood of another appliance located in the same room or space.
2.	Return air shall not be taken from a hazardous or insanitary location or a refrigeration room as defined in this code.
3.	The amount of return air taken from any room or space shall be not greater than the flow rate of supply air delivered to such room or space, except as necessary to make up air from a space on a common system where drawing return air is prohibited.
4.	Return and transfer openings shall be sized in accordance with the appliance or equipment manufacturer's installation instructions, ACCA Manual D or the design of the registered design professional.
5.	Return air taken from one dwelling unit shall not be discharged into another dwelling unit.
6.	Taking return air from a crawl space shall not be accomplished through a direct connection to the return side of a forced air furnace. Transfer openings in the crawl space enclosure shall not be prohibited.
7.	Return air shall not be taken from a closet, bathroom, toilet room, kitchen, garage, boiler room, furnace room or unconditioned attic.
Exceptions:
	a.	Taking return air from a kitchen is not prohibited where such return air openings serve the kitchen and are located not less than 10 feet (3048 mm) from the cooking appliances.
	b.	Dedicated forced air systems serving only the garage shall not be prohibited from obtaining return air from the garage.

(l)

Access port protection.

Section 1102.3 is hereby deleted.

(1983 Code, sec. 6-105; Ordinance 2009-O0034, sec. 1, adopted 4/27/2009; Ordinance 2011-O0106, sec. 1, adopted 11/3/2011; Ordinance 2016-O0074 adopted 5/12/16; Ordinance 2020-O0018 adopted 2/11/2020)