The 2021 edition of the International Mechanical Code, as published by the International Code Council, Inc., as hereinafter amended, including appendix A, is hereby adopted as the mechanical code of the City of Lubbock, Texas. A copy of said code is attached hereto and incorporated herein as though set out herein in detail. References to the mechanical code in this chapter or to "this code" within this article shall mean and refer to the 2021 edition of the International Mechanical Code as amended herein. One copy of the 2021 International Mechanical Code shall be filed with the city secretary and a copy shall be maintained in the office of the city building official. All such copies, with the amendments thereto, shall be open to public inspection during the usual hours of business of the offices where they are maintained.
(1983 Code, sec. 6-101; Ordinance 2002-O0107, sec. 1, adopted 10/24/2002; 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; Ordinance 2024-O0027 adopted 3/26/2024)
The administrative provisions contained in chapter 28, articles 28.01 through 28.08 of this Code of Ordinances are applicable to this article; however, for purposes of administering provisions related more specifically to the regulation of mechanical systems installation, these supplemental administrative provisions have been provided. Except as amended or supplemented within sections 28.11.002 and 28.11.003, the entire text of chapter 1, of the 2021 International Mechanical Code is deemed to be incorporated herein as though set out herein in detail. Where a conflict arises between a provision contained within sections 28.11.002 and 28.11.003 and articles 28.01 through 28.08 of this Code of Ordinances, it is the intent that the more specific govern, as determined by the building official.
(1983 Code, sec. 6-102; 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; Ordinance 2024-O0027 adopted 3/26/2024)
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:
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Table 28.11.003
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Administrative Provisions Cross-Reference
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2021 International Mechanical Code Section
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Section Heading/Subject
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Refer to Lubbock Code of Ordinances Section
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109.6
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Fee refunds
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115.4
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Violation penalties
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116.1
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Stop work orders
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113
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Means of appeal
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114
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Board of appeals
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(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; Ordinance 2024-O0027 adopted 3/26/2024)
(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)
Drain piping materials and sizing.
Section 307.2.2
is hereby amended to read as follows:
307.2.2 Drain piping materials and sizing. Components of the condensate disposal system shall be ABS, cast-iron,
copper and copper-alloy, CPVC, cross-linked polyethylene, galvanized
steel, PE-RT, polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, or PVDF piping or
tubing. Components shall be selected for the pressure and temperature
rating of the installation. Joints and connections shall be made in
accordance with the applicable provisions of Chapter 7 of the International Plumbing Code relative to the material type.
Condensate waste and drain line shall not be less than 3/4 inch (19.1mm)
pipe size. Where the drain pipes from more than one unit are manifolded
together for condensate drainage, the pipe or tubing shall be sized
in accordance with Table 307.2.2. Piping that is reduced in size from
the drain pan connection to a size that is in accordance with Table
307.2.2 must use eccentric fittings for the size reduction in horizontal
piping. If the size reduction occurs in vertical piping concentric
fittings may be used.
(d)
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.
(e)
Ductless mini-split system traps.
Section 307.2.4.1
is hereby deleted in its entirety.
(f)
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.
(g)
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.
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Table 403.3.2.3
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Minimum Required Local Exhaust Rates for Group R-2, R-3, and
R-4 Occupancies
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Area to be Exhausted
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Exhaust Rate Capacity
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Kitchens
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100 cfm intermittent or 25 cfm continuous
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Bathrooms & toilet rooms
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50 cfm intermittent or 20 cfm continuous
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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.
(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 504.9.5 is hereby
amended to read as follows:
504.9.5. 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 504.11 is hereby amended to read as follows:
504.11. 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:
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1.
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The shaft in which the duct is installed shall be constructed
and fire-resistance rated as required by the International
Building Code.
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2.
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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.
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3.
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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.
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4.
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The ductwork within the shaft shall be designed and installed
without offsets.
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5.
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The exhaust fan motor design shall be in accordance with Section
503.2.
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6.
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The exhaust fan motor shall be located outside of the airstream.
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7.
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The exhaust fan shall run continuously.
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8.
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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.
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9.
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Makeup air shall be provided for the exhaust
system.
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10.
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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.
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11.
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Screens shall not be installed at the termination.
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12.
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The common multi story duct system shall serve only clothes
dryers and shall be independent of other exhaust systems
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(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.
8.
Return air shall not be taken from indoor swimming pool enclosures
and associated deck areas.
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Exceptions:
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1.
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Where the air from such spaces is dehumidified in accordance
with Section 403.2.1, Item 2.
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2.
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Dedicated HVAC systems serving only such places.
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Exceptions:
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1.
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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 (3048mm) from the cooking appliances.
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2.
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Taking return air from a kitchen is not prohibited in a dwelling unit where the kitchen and living spaces are in
a single room and the cooking appliance is electric
and located not less than 5 feet (1524mm) in any direction from the
return air intake opening.
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3.
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Dedicated forced air systems serving only the garage shall
not be prohibited from obtaining return air from the garage.
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(l)
Access port protection.
Section 1102.3 is hereby
deleted in its entirety.
(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; Ordinance 2024-O0027 adopted 3/26/2024)
