510-RICR-00-00-4. RISBC-4 Rhode Island Mechanical Code (version Amendment, 07/01/2004 to 07/01/2004)

RHODE ISLAND STATE BUILDING CODE Regulation SBC-4 - 2004 State Mechanical Code July 1, 2004 Replaces Regulation SBC-4 Dated September 1, 2002 STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS Department of Administration BUILDING CODE STANDARDS COMMITTEE One Capitol Hill Providence, RI 02908-5859 (401) 222-3033 FAX NO. (401) 222-2599 8th Edition THIS PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK State Mechanical Code Regulation SBC-4 - 2004 July 1, 2004 The Building Code Standards Committee, in accordance with the rule making authority of Title 23, Chapter 23-27.3, Section 109.1, paragraph a through c inclusive, hereby adopts the provisions of the International Mechanical Code 2003 edition, as published by the International Code Council, Inc., as the Rhode Island State Mechanical Code, together with the amendments thereto hereinafter set forth to the chapters and sections of said code: The provisions of Title 23, Chapter 27.3 of the General laws of Rhode Island establishing administrative and enforcement are hereby incorporated by reference. The regulatory administration chapter of the Rhode Island State Mechanical Code is supplemental to those General Laws and in the event of conflicts, the provisions of General Law shall prevail. Editorial Note: Code users please note: When purchasing or using the IRC 2003 code, please take note of the particular printing edition. Errata to that printing edition is available on-line directly at no charge at www.iccsafe.org/cs/codes/errata.html or call the office or State Building Code Commissioner at 401-222-3033 for further information. The International Mechanical Code, 2003 Edition, is protected by the copyright that has been issued to the ICC. As a result, the State Mechanical Code is not available in complete form to the public in an electronic format. The International Mechanical Code 2003 edition that is referred to within is contained in a printed volume and is also in an electronic format that have been published by the ICC under an exclusive license. The Office of the State Building Code Commissioner has purchased volumes of these codes and they shall be distributed to Rhode Island cities and towns during the month of June 2004 so that local officials will have access to the code prior to the implementation of these rules on July 1, 2004. In order to assure public access to this code the Office of the State Building Code Commissioner shall provide a copy of this code to the Rhode Island State Library, which is located on the second floor of the State House. In addition, all codes may be viewed during business hours at the Department of Administration’s Library which is located on the ground floor of the William E. Powers Building, One Capitol Hill, Providence. The Legislative Regulation Committee approved adoption of this code on April 21, 2004. By: Daniel R. DeDentro Executive Secretary Rhode Island Building Code Standards Committee May 19, 2004 i THIS PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK STATE OF RHODE ISLAND As of 12/2/03 BUILDING CODE STANDARDS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN VICE CHAIRMAN James Carlson Robert E. DeBlois, Jr. Public Member Builder EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE William Howe Fire Official Dana Newbrook, RA Architect John Maloney Building Official Russell Brown Frank Montanaro Building Official State Representative G. Thomas Chabot John Pagliaro Electrical Contractor Building Official Randall Collins, Jr., RLA David F. Palmisciano Landscape Architect Building Trades Council Bruce L. Davey, PE Gordon W. Preiss, PE Structural Engineer Mechanical Engineer Paul DePace, PE Marie Stoeckel Representative for the Disabled Public Health Official Allen P. Durand Stephen C. Turner, PE Builders Trades Council Public Member Stephen Durkee, RA J. Robert Wahlberg Architect Builder Donald Gagnon Thomas Coffey Minimum Housing Inspector Legal Counsel John D. Gaskell, PE Daniel R. DeDentro, RA Electrical Engineer State Building Commissioner Executive Secretary Vacant Master Plumber Vacant State Senator Marc Lowenstein, RA Representative for the Disabled Vacant – Electrical Inspector ii THIS PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK STATE BUILDING CODE REGULATIONS – 2004 The following list includes all regulations promulgated by the State Building Code Standards Committee. All regulations are available for a fee at the State Building Commission. 1. Building Code………………………………………… SBC-1-2004 2. One and Two Dwelling Family Dwelling Code………………………………………... SBC-2-2004 3. Plumbing Code……………………………………….. SBC-3-2004 4. Mechanical Code……………………………………... SBC-4-2004 5. Electrical Code……………………………………….. SBC-5-2002 6. Reserved…………………………………………...…. SBC-6 7. Reserved…………. ………………………………….. SBC-7 8. State Energy Code……………………………………. SBC-8-2004 9. Enforcement and Implementation Procedures for Projects Under the Jurisdiction of the State of Rhode Island………………………………………. SBC-9 10. Code Interpretations………………………………….. SBC-10 11. Certification of Building Officials, Building, Electrical, Plumbing and Mechanical Inspectors……………………………….. SBC-11-2002 12. New Materials and Methods of Construction………………………………………. SBC-12 13. State Building Code For Existing Schools…………………………………. SBC-13 14. Reserved 15. Reserved 16. Reserved 17. Public Buildings Accessibility Meeting Standards……………………………………. SBC-17 18. Native Lumber………………………………………... SBC-18 19. Fuel Gas Code………………………………………… SBC-19-2004 7/1/04 iii THIS PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK 1 Format: These code changes follow numbering sequence and topics of the 2003 International Mechanical Code (first printing). All provisions of IMC 2003 are retained unless indicated as deleted or revised. Published errata is available from the ICC website dependent on the printing issue, number and date. Chapter 1 Delete IMC section 101.1, Title, and substitute the following: 101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as Rhode Island State Mechanical Code Regulation SBC-4 - 2004, hereafter referred to as " this code". Add the following new section 101.1.1 Referenced Codes: 101.1.1 Referenced Codes. The other codes referenced elsewhere in this code shall be considered part of the requirements of this code to the prescribed extent of each such reference. 1. Electrical. The provisions of Rhode Island State Electrical Code SBC-5-2004 shall apply wherever referenced in this code as the ICC Electrical Code, and shall apply to the installation of electrical systems, including alterations, repairs, replacement, equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings, and appurtenances thereto. 2. Gas. The provisions of the Rhode Island State Fuel Gas Code SBC-19-2004 shall apply wherever referenced in this code as the International Fuel Gas Code, and shall apply to the installation of gas piping from the point of delivery, gas appliances and related accessories as covered in this code. These requirements apply to gas piping systems extending from the point of delivery to the inlet connections of appliances and the installation and operation of residential and commercial gas appliances and related accessories. 3. Building. The provisions of the Rhode Island State Building Code SBC-1-2004 shall apply wherever referenced in this code as the International Building Code. 4. Plumbing. The provisions of Rhode Island State Plumbing Code SBC-3-2004 shall apply wherever referenced in this code as the International Plumbing Code, and shall apply to the installation, alteration, repair and replacement of plumbing systems, including equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings and appurtenances, and where connected to a water or sewage system and all aspects of a medical gas system. 5. Property Maintenance. Refer to state or local codes. 6. Fire Prevention Code. The provisions of the International Fire Code 2003 edition shall apply when this code directly references a section or requirement. These cross-references are not intended to impose any enforcement requirements on state or local fire officials, and any conflicts with the State Fire Safety Codes shall be resolved in favor of the stricter standard, and that standard shall be enforced by the appropriate designated authority having jurisdiction. 2 7. Energy. The provisions of the Rhode Island State Energy Code SBC-8-2004 shall apply wherever referenced in this code as International Energy Conservation Code, and shall apply to all matters governing the design and construction of buildings for energy efficiency. Any and all such references to the various International Code Council family of codes shall be substituted for the appropriate state code as indicated above. All other Administrative provisions shall remain in effect. To the extent that there is an apparent conflict between the provisions of these administrative sections and RIGL 23- 27.3 101.0 et al, the provisions of state law shall prevail. Where other provisions of this code refer to provisions of Chapter 1 Administration, Chapter 1 Administration, or RIGL 23-27.3-101.0 et al shall apply as appropriate. Delete IMC Sections 103, 104, 106.4 through 106.5.3, 108 and 109 and refer to the appropriate sections of SBC-1-2004 and RIGL 23-27.3-100 et al. 102.10 Contractor's responsibilities. It shall be the duty of every contractor who enters into contracts for the installation or repair of plumbing systems for which a permit is required to comply with adopted state and local rules and regulations concerning licensing. Any building owner, authorized agent, person or contractor who installs, modifies or repairs plumbing systems for which a permit is required shall comply with all state laws and regulations regarding licensing. 3 Chapter 6 Delete IMC Section 602.2 and substitute the following: 602.2 Construction. Plenum enclosures shall be constructed of materials permitted for the type of construction classification of the buildings. The use of gypsum board for supply air plenums is prohibited. Delete IMC section 603.6.1.1 and substitute the following: 603.6.1.1 Duct length. Flexible air ducts shall be limited in length only by the manufacturer’s installation requirements. Delete IMC sections 606.4 and 606.4.1 and substitute the following: 606.4 Controls Operation. Upon activation, the smoke detector shall shut down the air distribution system and signal a trouble alarm. Air distribution systems that are part of a smoke control system shall switch to the smoke control mode upon activation of a detector. 4 THIS PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK 5 Chapter 8 Add the following exception to IMC section 801.18: Exception: Installation of replacement appliances below an 85% AFUE rating shall be exempt from the requirement of installing a new chimney liner and must meet the manufacturer’s recommendations for installation in an unlined chimney. 6 THIS PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK 7 Chapter 10 Add Exception #8 to IMC section 1001. 1 as follows: 8. Permits for steam and water boiler installation and repairs of boilers over 200, 000 BTUs for commercial uses and 400,000 BTUs for private residences or apartments shall be issued by the Department of Labor, Division of Occupational Safety, Boiler Unit. 8 THIS PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK 9 Chapter 11 Add the following new section 1101.10: 1101.10 " Prohibited Connections" The uses of potable water as an open loop, single pass heat exchange fluid for the refrigeration cycle of HVAC equipment is prohibited. 10 THIS PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK 11 Chapter 12 Delete IMC section 1208.1.1 and substitute the following: 1208.1.1 Ground source heat pump loop systems. Before connection (header) trenches are backfilled, the assembled loop system shall be pressure tested with water at 100 psi (689 kPa) for 30 minutes with no observed leaks. Flow pressure loss testing shall be performed and the actual flow rates and pressure drops shall be compared to the calculated design values. If actual flow rate or pressure differs from calculated design values, the designer of record shall identify the problem and order corrections as required. 12 THIS PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK 13 Chapter 13 Add the following new section 1301.2.1: 1301.2.1 Maximum inside fuel oil storage. Where connected to a fuel- Oil piping system, the maximum amount of fuel oil allowed inside any building shall be 1, 320 gallons and the maximum amount of oil connected to any one- (1) appliance shall be 660 gallons. Where the amount of fuel oil stored inside a building exceeds 1, 320 gallons the storage area shall be in compliance with the International Fire Code and the state Building Code. Add the following new section 1305.8: 1305.8 Fuel Oil Supply and Vent Piping: Fill and vent lines for above ground fuel storage tanks shall be permitted to be a minimum of 1 ¼ " in diameter for a single storage tanks up to 500 gallon capacity. 14 THIS PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK 15 APPENDIX B The following Rhode Island amendment is made to the provisions of. Appendix B: Delete APPENDIX B" in its entirety.