PERMANENT RULES
Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.
Purpose: Making editorial corrections to chapter 51-52 WAC, Washington state amendments to 2009 International Mechanical Code.
WAC 51-52-0403, a typographical error in the exception to Section 403.8.5.2 was corrected.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 51-52-0403.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 19.27.031, 19.27.035, and 19.27.074.
Other Authority: Chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 11-18-088 on September 7, 2011.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: November 18, 2011.
C. Ray Allshouse
Council Chair
OTS-4108.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 10-03-099, filed 1/20/10,
effective 7/1/10)
WAC 51-52-0403
Section 403 -- Mechanical ventilation.
403.2 Outdoor air required. The minimum ventilation rate of
outdoor air shall be determined in accordance with Section
403.3.
| EXCEPTIONS: | 1. Where the registered design professional demonstrates that an engineered ventilation system design will prevent the maximum concentration of contaminants from exceeding that obtainable by the rate of outdoor air ventilation determined in accordance with Section 403.3, the minimum required rate of outdoor air shall be reduced in accordance with such engineered system design. |
| 2. Alternate systems designed in accordance with ASHRAE Standard 62.1 Section 6.2, Ventilation Rate Procedure, shall be permitted. |
1. Ventilation air shall not be recirculated from one dwelling to another or to dissimilar occupancies.
2. Supply air to a swimming pool and associated deck areas shall not be recirculated unless such air is dehumidified to maintain the relative humidity of the area at 60 percent or less. Air from this area shall not be recirculated to other spaces where 10 percent or more of the resulting supply airstream consists of air recirculated from these spaces.
3. Where mechanical exhaust is required by Note b in Table 403.3, recirculation of air from such spaces shall be prohibited. All air supplied to such spaces shall be exhausted, including any air in excess of that required by Table 403.3.
(Item 4 is not adopted.)
403.3 Outdoor airflow rate. Ventilation systems shall be
designed to have the capacity to supply the minimum outdoor
airflow rate determined in accordance with this section. The
occupant load utilized for design of the ventilation system
shall not be less than the number determined from the
estimated maximum occupant load rate indicated in Table 403.3.
Ventilation rates for occupancies not represented in Table
403.3 shall be those for a listed occupancy classification
that is most similar in terms of occupant density, activities
and building construction; or shall be determined by an
approved engineering analysis. The ventilation system shall
be designed to supply the required rate of ventilation air
continuously during the period the building is occupied,
except as otherwise stated in other provisions of the code.
With the exception of smoking lounges, the ventilation
rates in Table 403.3 are based on the absence of smoking in
occupiable spaces. Where smoking is anticipated in a space
other than a smoking lounge, the ventilation system serving
the space shall be designed to provide ventilation over and
above that required by Table 403.3 in accordance with accepted
engineering practice.
| EXCEPTION: | Where occupancy density is known and documented in the plans, the outside air rate may be based on the design occupant density. Under no circumstance shall the occupancies used result in outside air less than one-half that resulting from application of Table 403.3 estimated maximum occupancy rates. |
Table 403.3
Required Outdoor Ventilation Air
| Occupancy Classification | People Outdoor
Airflow Rate in
Breathing Zone cfm/Person |
Area Outdoor Airflow
Rate in Breathing
Zone Ra cfm/ft2a |
Default Occupant Density #/1000 ft2a | Exhaust Airflow Rate cfm/ft2 | ||
| Correctional facilities | ||||||
| Cells | ||||||
| without plumbing fixtures | 5 | 0.12 | 25 | -- | ||
| with plumbing fixtures | 5 | 0.12 | 25 | 1.0 | ||
| Dining halls (see food and beverage service) | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| Guard stations | 5 | 0.06 | 15 | -- | ||
| Day room | 5 | 0.06 | 30 | -- | ||
| Booking/waiting | 7.5 | 0.06 | 50 | -- | ||
| Dry cleaners, laundries | ||||||
| Coin-operated dry cleaner | 15 | -- | 20 | -- | ||
| Coin-operated laundries | 7.5 | 0.06 | 20 | -- | ||
| Commercial dry cleaner | 30 | -- | 30 | -- | ||
| Commercial laundry | 25 | -- | 10 | -- | ||
| Storage, pick up | 7.5 | 0.12 | 30 | -- | ||
| Education | ||||||
| Art classroom | 10 | 0.18 | 20 | 0.7 | ||
| Auditoriums | 5 | 0.06 | 150 | -- | ||
| Classrooms (ages 5-8) | 10 | 0.12 | 25 | -- | ||
| Classrooms (ages 9 plus) | 10 | 0.12 | 35 | -- | ||
| Computer lab | 10 | 0.12 | 25 | -- | ||
| Corridors (see public spaces) | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| Day care (through age 4) | 10 | 0.18 | 25 | -- | ||
| Lecture classroom | 7.5 | 0.06 | 65 | -- | ||
| Lecture hall (fixed seats) | 7.5 | 0.06 | 150 | -- | ||
| Locker/dressing room | -- | -- | -- | 0.25 | ||
| Media center | 10 | 0.12 | 25 | -- | ||
| Multiuse assembly | 7.5 | 0.06 | 100 | -- | ||
| Music/theater/dance | 10 | 0.06 | 35 | -- | ||
| Science laboratories | 10 | 0.18 | 25 | 1.0 | ||
| Smoking loungesb | 60 | -- | 70 | -- | ||
| Sports locker rooms | -- | -- | -- | 0.5 | ||
| Wood/metal shops | 10 | 0.18 | 20 | 0.5 | ||
| Food and beverage service | ||||||
| Bars, cocktail lounges | 7.5 | 0.18 | 100 | -- | ||
| Cafeteria, fast food | 7.5 | 0.18 | 100 | -- | ||
| Dining rooms | 7.5 | 0.18 | 70 | -- | ||
| Kitchens (cooking)b | -- | -- | -- | 0.7 | ||
| Hospitals, nursing and convalescent homes | ||||||
| Autopsy roomsb | -- | -- | -- | 0.5 | ||
| Medical procedure rooms | 15 | -- | 20 | |||
| Operating rooms | 30 | -- | 20 | |||
| Patient rooms | 25 | -- | 10 | |||
| Physical therapy | 15 | -- | 20 | |||
| Recovery and ICU | 15 | -- | 20 | |||
| Hotels, motels, resorts and dormitories | ||||||
| Multipurpose assembly | 5 | 0.06 | 120 | -- | ||
| Bathrooms/toilet -- private |
-- | -- | -- | 25/50f | ||
| Bedroom/living room | 5 | 0.06 | 10 | -- | ||
| Conference/meeting | 5 | 0.06 | 50 | -- | ||
| Dormitory sleeping areas | 5 | 0.06 | 20 | -- | ||
| Gambling casinos | 7.5 | 0.18 | 120 | -- | ||
| Kitchens | -- | -- | -- | 25/100f | ||
| Lobbies/prefunction | 7.5 | 0.06 | 30 | -- | ||
| Offices | ||||||
| Conference rooms | 5 | 0.06 | 50 | -- | ||
| Office spaces | 5 | 0.06 | 5 | -- | ||
| Reception areas | 60 | 0.06 | 30 | -- | ||
| Telephone/data entry | 5 | 0.06 | 60 | -- | ||
| Main entry lobbies | 5 | 0.06 | 10 | -- | ||
| Private dwellings, single and multiple | ||||||
| Garages, common for multiple unitsb | -- | -- | -- | 0.75 | ||
| Garages, separate for each dwellingb | -- | -- | -- | 100 cfm per car | ||
| Kitchensb | -- | 25/100f | ||||
| Living areasc | See Tables 403.8.5.1 and 403.8.5.2 | -- | Based on the number of bedrooms. First bedroom: 2; each additional bedroom, 1 | -- | ||
| Toilet rooms, bathrooms and laundry areasi | -- | 20/50f | ||||
| Public spaces | ||||||
| Corridors | -- | 0.06 | -- | -- | ||
| Elevator car | -- | -- | -- | 1.0 | ||
| Shower room (per shower head) | -- | -- | -- | 50/20f | ||
| Smoking loungesb | 60 | -- | 70 | -- | ||
| Toilet rooms - public | -- | -- | -- | 50/70e | ||
| Places of religious worship | 5 | 0.06 | 120 | -- | ||
| Courtrooms | 5 | 0.06 | 70 | -- | ||
| Legislative chambers | 5 | 0.06 | 50 | -- | ||
| Libraries | 5 | 0.12 | 10 | -- | ||
| Museums (children's) | 7.5 | 0.12 | 40 | -- | ||
| Museums/galleries | 7.5 | 0.06 | 40 | -- | ||
| Retail stores, sales floors and showroom floors | ||||||
| Sales (except as below) | 7.5 | 0.12 | 15 | -- | ||
| Dressing rooms | -- | -- | -- | 0.25 | ||
| Mall common areas | 7.5 | 0.06 | 40 | -- | ||
| Shipping and receiving | -- | 0.12 | -- | -- | ||
| Smoking loungesb | 60 | -- | 70 | -- | ||
| Storage rooms | -- | 0.12 | -- | -- | ||
| Warehouses (see storage) | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| Specialty shops | ||||||
| Automotive motor-fuel-dispensing stationsb | -- | -- | -- | 1.5 | ||
| Barber | 7.5 | 0.06 | 25 | 0.5 | ||
| Beauty and nail salonsb,h | 20 | 0.12 | 25 | 0.6 | ||
| Embalming roomb | -- | -- | -- | 2.0 | ||
| Pet shops (animal areas)b | 7.5 | 0.18 | 10 | 0.9 | ||
| Supermarkets | 7.5 | 0.06 | 8 | -- | ||
| Sports and amusement | ||||||
| Disco/dance floors | 20 | 0.06 | 100 | -- | ||
| Bowling alleys (seating areas) | 10 | 0.12 | 40 | -- | ||
| Game arcades | 7.5 | 0.18 | 20 | -- | ||
| Ice arenas, without combustion engines | -- | 0.30 | -- | 0.5 | ||
| Gym, stadium arena (play area) | -- | 0.30 | -- | -- | ||
| Spectator areas | 7.5 | 0.06 | 150 | -- | ||
| Swimming pools (pool and deck area) | -- | 0.48 | -- | -- | ||
| Health club/aerobics room | 20 | 0.06 | 40 | -- | ||
| Health club/weight room | 20 | 0.06 | 10 | -- | ||
| Storage | ||||||
| Repair garages, enclosed parking garageb,d | -- | -- | -- | 0.75 | ||
| Warehouses | -- | 0.06 | -- | -- | ||
| Theaters | ||||||
| Auditoriums (see education) | -- | -- | ||||
| Lobbies | 5 | 0.06 | 150 | -- | ||
| Stages, studios | 10 | 0.06 | 70 | -- | ||
| Ticket booths | 5 | 0.06 | 60 | -- | ||
| Transportation | ||||||
| Platforms | 7.5 | 0.06 | 100 | -- | ||
| Transportation waiting | 7.5 | 0.06 | 100 | -- | ||
| Workrooms | ||||||
| Bank vaults/safe deposit | 5 | 0.06 | 5 | -- | ||
| Darkrooms | -- | -- | -- | 1.0 | ||
| Copy, printing rooms | 5 | 0.06 | 4 | 0.5 | ||
| Meat processingc | 15 | -- | 10 | -- | ||
| Pharmacy (prep area) | 5 | 0.18 | 10 | -- | ||
| Photo studios | 5 | 0.12 | 10 | -- | ||
| Computer (without printing) | 5 | 0.06 | 4 | -- | ||
| For SI: | 1 cubic foot per minute = 0.0004719 m3/s, 1 ton = 908 kg, 1 cubic foot per minutes per square foot = 0.00508 m3/(s•m2), °C = [(°F) -32]/1.8, 1 square foot - 0.0929 m2. |
| a. | Based upon net occupiable floor area. |
| b. | Mechanical exhaust required and the recirculation of air from such spaces is prohibited (see Section 403.2.1, Item 3). |
| c. | Spaces unheated or maintained below 50°F are not covered by these requirements unless the occupancy is continuous. |
| d. | Ventilation systems in enclosed parking garages shall comply with Section 404. |
| e. | Rates are per water closet or urinal. The higher rate shall be provided where periods of heavy use are expected to occur, such as toilets in theaters, schools and sports facilities. The lower rate shall be permitted where periods of heavy use are not expected. |
| f. | Rates are per room unless otherwise indicated. The higher rate shall be provided where the exhaust system is designed to operate intermittently. The lower rate shall be permitted where the exhaust system is designed to operate continuously during normal hours of use. |
| g. | Reserved. |
| h. | For nail salons, the required exhaust shall include ventilation tables or other systems that capture the contaminants and odors at their source and are capable of exhausting a minimum of 50 cfm per station. |
| i. | A laundry area within a kitchen or bathroom is not required to have source specific exhaust. Where there are doors that separate the laundry area from the kitchen or bathroom the door shall be louvered. |
403.8.1 Minimum ventilation performance. Ventilation systems
shall be designed and installed to satisfy the ventilation
requirements of Table 403.3 or Table 403.8.1.
Table 403.8.1
Ventilation Rates for All Group R Private Dwellings, Single and Multiple
(Continuously Operating Systems)
| Floor Area | Bedrooms1 | ||||||||||
| (ft2) | 0-1 | 2-3 | 4-5 | 6-7 | >7 | ||||||
| <1500 | 30 | 45 | 60 | 75 | 90 | ||||||
| 1501 - 3000 | 45 | 60 | 75 | 90 | 105 | ||||||
| 3001 - 4500 | 60 | 75 | 90 | 105 | 120 | ||||||
| 4501 - 6000 | 75 | 90 | 105 | 120 | 135 | ||||||
| 6001 - 7500 | 90 | 105 | 120 | 135 | 150 | ||||||
| >7500 | 105 | 120 | 135 | 150 | 165 | ||||||
| 1Ventilation rates in table are minimum outdoor airflow rates measured in cfm. |
1. Location of controls. Controls for all ventilation systems shall be readily accessible by the occupant.
2. Instructions. Operating instructions for whole house ventilation systems shall be provided to the occupant by the installer of the system.
3. Source specific ventilation systems. Source specific ventilation systems shall be controlled by manual switches, dehumidistats, timers, or other approved means.
4. Continuous whole house ventilation systems. Continuous whole house ventilation systems shall operate continuously. Exhaust fans, forced-air system fans, or supply fans shall be equipped with "fan on" as override controls. Controls shall be capable of operating the ventilation system without energizing other energy-consuming appliances. A label shall be affixed to the controls that reads "Whole House Ventilation (see operating instructions)."
5. Intermittent whole house ventilation systems. Intermittent whole house ventilation systems shall comply with the following:
5.1 They shall be capable of operating intermittently and continuously.
5.2 They shall have controls capable of operating the exhaust fans, forced-air system fans, or supply fans without energizing other energy-consuming appliances.
5.3 The ventilation rate shall be adjusted according to the exception in Section 403.8.5.1.
5.4 The system shall be designed so that it can operate automatically based on the type of control timer installed.
5.5 The intermittent mechanical ventilation system shall operate at least one hour out of every twelve.
5.6 The system shall have a manual control and automatic control, such as a 24-hour clock timer.
5.7 At the time of final inspection, the automatic control shall be set to operate the whole house fan according to the schedule used to calculate the whole house fan sizing.
5.8 A label shall be affixed to the control that reads "Whole House Ventilation (see operating instructions)."
403.8.3 Outdoor air intake locations. Outdoor air intakes
shall be classified as either operable openings or mechanical
air intakes and shall be located per the following criteria.
The intake locations for operable openings and mechanical air
intakes shall comply with the following:
1. Openings for mechanical air intakes shall comply with Section 401.4. Operable openings shall comply with Section 401.4 items 2 and 4 only.
2. Intake openings shall not be located closer than 10 feet from an appliance vent outlet unless such vent outlet is 3 feet above the outdoor air inlet. The vent shall be permitted to be closer if specifically allowed by Chapter 8 or by the International Fuel Gas Code.
3. Intake openings shall be located where they will not pick up objectionable odors, fumes, or flammable vapors.
4. Intake openings shall be located where they will not take air from a hazardous or unsanitary location.
5. Intake openings shall be located where they will not take air from a room or space having a fuel-burning appliances.
6. Intake openings shall not be located closer than 10 feet from a vent opening of a plumbing drainage system unless the vent opening is at least 3 feet above the air inlet.
7. Intake openings shall not be located where they will take air from an attic, crawl space, or garage.
403.8.4 Source specific ventilation requirements. Source
specific exhaust ventilation systems shall exhaust at least
the volume of air required for exhaust in Table 403.3.
Exhaust shall be provided in each kitchen, bathroom, water
closet, laundry area, indoor swimming pool, spa, and other
room where water vapor or cooking odor is produced.
403.8.4.1 Source specific exhaust systems. Exhaust systems
shall be designed and installed to meet all of the criteria
below:
1. Source specific exhaust shall be discharged outdoors.
2. Exhaust outlets shall comply with Section 501.2.
3. Pressure equalization shall comply with Section 501.3.
4. Exhaust ducts in systems which are designed to operate intermittently shall be equipped with back-draft dampers.
5. All exhaust ducts in unconditioned spaces shall be insulated to a minimum of R-4.
6. Terminal outlet elements shall have at least the equivalent net free area of the ductwork.
7. Terminal outlet elements shall be screened or otherwise protected as required by Section 501.2.2.
8. Exhaust fans in separate dwelling units or guest rooms shall not share common exhaust ducts unless the system is engineered for this operation.
9. Where permitted by Chapter 5, multiple source specific exhaust ducts may be combined. If more than one of the exhaust fans in a dwelling unit or guest room shares a common exhaust duct then each exhaust fan shall be equipped with a back-draft damper to prevent the recirculation of exhaust air from one room to another room via the exhaust ducting system.
403.8.4.2 Source specific exhaust fans. Exhaust fan
construction and sizing shall meet the following criteria.
1. Exhaust fans shall be tested and rated in accordance with the airflow and sound rating procedures of the Home Ventilating Institute (HVI 915, HVI Loudness Testing and Rating Procedure, HVI 916, HVI Airflow Test Procedure, and HVI 920, HVI Product Performance Certification Procedure).
| EXCEPTION: | Where a range hood or down draft exhaust fan is used for source specific exhaust for a kitchen, the device is not required to be rated per these standards. |
3. Fan airflow rating and duct system shall be designed and installed to deliver at least the exhaust airflow required by Table 403.3. The airflows required refer to the delivered airflow of the system as installed and tested using a flow hood, flow grid, or other airflow measurement device.
| EXCEPTIONS: | 1. An exhaust airflow rating at a pressure of 0.25 in. w.g. may be used, provided the duct sizing meets the prescriptive requirements of Table 403.8.4.2. |
| 2. Where a range hood or down draft exhaust fan is used to satisfy the source specific ventilation requirements for kitchens, the range hood or down draft exhaust shall not be less than 100 cfm at 0.10 in. w.g. |
Table 403.8.4.2
Prescriptive Exhaust Duct Sizing
| Fan Tested cfm at 0.25 inches w.g. | Minimum Flex Diameter | Maximum Length in Feet |
Minimum Smooth Diameter | Maximum Length in Feet | Maximum Elbows1 | ||||
| 50 | 4 inches | 25 | 4 inches | 70 | 3 | ||||
| 50 | 5 inches | 90 | 5 inches | 100 | 3 | ||||
| 50 | 6 inches | No Limit | 6 inches | No Limit | 3 | ||||
| 80 | 4 inches2 | NA | 4 inches | 20 | 3 | ||||
| 80 | 5 inches | 15 | 5 inches | 100 | 3 | ||||
| 80 | 6 inches | 90 | 6 inches | No Limit | 3 | ||||
| 100 | 5 inches2 | NA | 5 inches | 50 | 3 | ||||
| 100 | 6 inches | 45 | 6 inches | No Limit | 3 | ||||
| 125 | 6 inches | 15 | 6 inches | No Limit | 3 | ||||
| 125 | 7 inches | 70 | 7 inches | No Limit | 3 | ||||
| 1. | For each additional elbow, subtract 10 feet from length. |
| 2. | Flex ducts of this diameter are not permitted with fans of this size. |
403.8.5.1 Outdoor air. Outdoor air shall be distributed to
each habitable space.
Where outdoor air supply intakes are separated from exhaust vents by doors, means shall be provided to ensure airflow to all separated habitable spaces by installing distribution ducts, installed grilles, transoms, doors undercut to a minimum of 1/2-inch above the surface of the finish floor covering, or other similar means where permitted by the International Building Code.
The mechanical system shall operate continuously to supply at least the volume of outdoor air required in Table 403.3 or Table 403.8.1.
| EXCEPTION: | Intermittently operating ventilation systems: The mechanical system shall have controls for intermittent operation per Section 403.8.2 and shall supply at least the volume of outdoor air required for intermittent operation based on the combination of its delivered capacity (from Table 403.3 or Table 403.8.1), its ventilation effectiveness (from Table 403.8.5.1) and its daily fractional operation time (from Table 403.8.5.1) using the formula: |
| Qf = Qr/(&egr;f) | ||
| Where: | ||
| Qf | = | outdoor air flow rate |
| Qr | = | ventilation air requirement (from Table 403.3 or 403.8.1) |
| &egr; | = | ventilation effectiveness (from Table 403.8.5.1) |
| f | = | fractional operation time (from Table 403.8.5.1) |
Table 403.8.5.1
Ventilation Effectiveness for Intermittent Fans
| Daily Fractional Operation Time, f | Ventilation Effectiveness, &egr; | |
| f ≤ 35% | 0.33 | |
| 35% ≤ f < 60% | 0.50 | |
| 60% ≤ f < 80% | 0.75 | |
| 80% ≤ f | 1.0 | |
1. Outdoor air louvers shall be adequately sized for the required airflow and shall comply with Section 401.5. Outdoor air intake locations shall comply with mechanical air intakes requirements of Section 403.8.3.
2. Outdoor air ducts for dedicated or central supply systems and exhaust ducts for heat or energy recovery systems shall be provided with a means for balancing the system to the required airflow via balance dampers or other devices.
3. Outdoor air ducts, for dedicated or central systems shall be provided with motorized dampers.
| EXCEPTION: | Outdoor air ducts at heat or energy recovery ventilation systems are not required to have motorized dampers. |
5. All outdoor air ducts shall be designed and installed to deliver at least the outdoor airflow required by Section 403.8.5.1. The airflows required refer to the delivered airflow of the system as installed and tested using a flow hood, flow grid, or other airflow measurement device.
| EXCEPTION: | The outdoor air duct for supply fan systems and heat or energy recovery systems may be prescriptively sized per Table 403.8.5.2 for dedicated outdoor air ducts upstream of the supply fan. Supply fans shall have the capacity to provide the amount of outdoor air required by Section 403.8.5.1 at 0.40 in. w.g. as per HVI 916 (April 1995). When prescriptively sized the system shall be tested and balanced using a flow hood, flow-grid, or other airflow measurement device. |
6. Whole house ventilation controls for continuous and intermittent operation shall be provided at both the forced-air fan and the motorized damper.
Table 403.8.5.2
Prescriptive Supply Fan Duct Sizing
| Supply Fan Tested cfm at 0.40" w.g. | ||||
| Specified Volume from Table 408.1 | Minimum Smooth Duct Diameter | Minimum Flexible Duct Diameter | ||
| 50 - 90 cfm | 4 inch | 5 inch | ||
| 90 - 150 cfm | 5 inch | 6 inch | ||
| 150 - 250 cfm | 6 inch | 7 inch | ||
| 250 - 400 cfm | 7 inch | 8 inch | ||
403.8.6.1 Outdoor air. Exhaust fan only ventilation systems
shall provide outdoor air through one of the following
methods:
1. Outdoor air may be drawn through air inlets installed in exterior walls or windows. For interior spaces without openings to the outdoor, air inlets cannot be used unless a transfer fan is provided in compliance with Section 403.8.6.1 Item 3. The air inlets shall comply with all of the following:
a. Inlets shall have controllable, secure openings and shall be designed to not compromise the thermal properties of the building envelope.
b. Inlets shall be accessible to occupants.
c. Inlets shall be screened or otherwise protected from entry by insects, leaves, or other material.
d. Inlets shall provide not less than 4 square inches of net free area of opening for each 10 cfm of outdoor air required in Table 403.3 or Table 403.8.1.
e. Any inlet or combination of inlets which provide 10 cfm at 10 Pascals as determined by the Home Ventilation Institute Air Flow Test Standard (HVI 901 (November 1996)) are deemed equivalent to 4 square inches of net free area.
f. Each occupiable space shall have a minimum of one air inlet that has a minimum of 4 square inches of net free area.
2. In high-rise buildings, outdoor air may be drawn in through operable windows, doors, louvers or other operable openings to the outdoors. Exterior spaces shall have a minimum openable area of 4 percent of the total floor area being ventilated. Doors exiting to a corridor, court or public way shall not be used to provide outdoor air. For interior spaces without openings to the outdoors, the opening to the adjoining room shall be unobstructed and shall have an area of not less than 8 percent of the floor area of the interior room or space, but not less than 25 square feet. The operable openings shall comply with the following:
a. Openings shall be controllable, securable, and shall be designed to not compromise the thermal properties of the building envelope.
b. Openings shall be accessible to occupants.
3. For interior spaces, in buildings with air inlets in accordance with Section 403.8.6.1 Item 1 or in high-rise building without operable openings in accordance with Section 403.8.6.1 Item 2 shall have a whole house transfer fan sized to provide a minimum of the ventilation rate required per Section 403.8.5.1. The transfer fan shall circulate air between the interior room or space and the adjacent habitable space. The transfer fan may operate continuously or intermittently using controls per Section 403.8.2.
403.8.6.2 Outside air intake locations. All outside air
intake opening types described in Section 403.8.6.1 shall be
classified operable openings and shall not be classified as
mechanical air intakes. The intake locations shall comply
with Section 403.8.3.
403.8.6.3 Whole house exhaust system. Whole house exhaust
system shall be designed and installed to meet all of the
applicable criteria below:
1. Whole house ventilation exhaust shall be discharged outdoors.
2. Exhaust outlets shall comply with Section 501.2.
3. Exhaust ducts in systems which are designed to operate intermittently shall be equipped with back-draft dampers.
4. All exhaust ducts in unconditioned spaces shall be insulated to a minimum of R-4.5. Terminal outlet elements shall have at least the equivalent net free area of the ductwork.
5. Terminal outlet elements shall be screened or otherwise protected as required by Section 501.2.2.
6. One of the required source specific exhaust fans for the laundry room or bathroom may be designated as the whole house exhaust fan.
7. Exhaust fans in separate dwelling units or guest rooms shall not share common exhaust ducts unless the system is engineered for this operation.
8. Where permitted by Chapter 5 whole house exhaust ducts may be combined with other source specific exhaust ducts. If more than one of the exhaust fans in a dwelling unit or guest room shares a common exhaust duct then each exhaust fan shall be equipped with a back-draft damper to prevent the recirculation of exhaust air from one room to another room via the exhaust ducting system.
403.8.6.4 Whole house exhaust and transfer fans. Exhaust fan
construction and sizing shall meet the following criteria.
1. Exhaust and transfer fans shall be tested and rated in accordance with the airflow and sound rating procedures of the Home Ventilating Institute (HVI 915, HVI Loudness Testing and Rating Procedure, HVI 916, HVI Airflow Test Procedure, and HVI 920, HVI Product Performance Certification Procedure).
2. Installation of system or equipment shall be carried out in accordance with manufacturers' design requirements and installation instructions.
3. Fan airflow rating and duct system shall be designed and installed to deliver at least the outdoor airflow required by Table 403.3 or Table 403.8.1. The airflows required refer to the delivered airflow of the system as installed and tested using a flow hood, flow grid, or other airflow measurement device.
| EXCEPTION: | An airflow rating at a pressure of 0.25 in. w.g. may be used, provided the duct sizing meets the prescriptive requirements of Table 403.8.5.2. |
403.8.7 Whole house ventilation integrated with forced-air
systems. This section establishes minimum requirements for
mechanical whole house ventilation systems using forced-air
system fans.
403.8.7.1 Outdoor air. Forced-air system fan ventilation
systems shall provide outdoor air through one of the following
methods:
1. A dedicated outdoor air louver and outdoor air duct for each dwelling unit or guest room shall supply outdoor air to the return side of the forced-air system fan; or
2. A central outdoor air delivery system that supplies multiple dwelling units or guest rooms shall supply outdoor air to the return side of the forced air system fan.
403.8.7.2 Whole house forced-air system. Where outdoor air is
provided to each habitable dwelling unit or guest room by a
forced-air system, the outdoor air duct shall be connected to
the return air stream at a point within 4 feet upstream of the
forced-air unit. It shall not be connected directly to the
forced-air unit cabinet in order to prevent thermal shock to
the heat exchanger. At a minimum, filtration of the outdoor
air shall be provided at the forced-air unit. The filter
shall be accessible for regular maintenance and replacement.
The filter shall have a Minimum Efficiency Rating Value (MERV)
of at least 6.
403.8.8 Whole house ventilation with supply fan systems. This
section establishes minimum requirements for mechanical whole
house ventilation systems using supply fan systems.
403.8.8.1 Outdoor air. Supply fan ventilation systems shall
provide outdoor air through one of the following methods:
1. A dedicated outdoor air louver and outdoor air duct for each dwelling unit or guest room shall supply outdoor air to a supply fan; or
2. A central outdoor air supply fan system shall distribute unconditioned or conditioned air to multiple dwelling units or guest rooms.
403.8.8.2 Whole house supply system. Where outdoor air is
provided to each habitable dwelling unit or guest room by
supply fan systems the outdoor air shall be filtered.
The system filter may be located at the intake device or inline with the fan. The filter shall be accessible for regular maintenance and replacement. The filter shall have a Minimum Efficiency Rating Value (MERV) of at least 6.
403.8.9 Whole house ventilation with heat recovery or energy
recovery ventilation systems. This section establishes
minimum requirements for mechanical whole house ventilation
systems using heat recovery or energy recovery ventilation
systems.
403.8.9.1 Outdoor air. Heat recovery or energy recovery
ventilation systems shall provide outdoor air through one of
the following methods:
1. A dedicated outdoor air louver and outdoor air duct for each dwelling unit or guest room shall supply outdoor air to the heat recovery or energy recovery ventilator; or
2. A central outdoor air heat recovery or energy recovery unit shall distribute conditioned air to multiple dwelling units or guest rooms.
403.8.9.2 Whole house heat recovery ventilator system. Where
outdoor air is provided to each habitable dwelling unit or
guest room by heat recovery or energy recovery ventilator the
outdoor air shall be filtered. The filter shall be located on
the upstream side of the heat exchanger in both the intake and
exhaust airstreams with a Minimum Efficiency Rating Value
(MERV) of at least 6. The system filter may be located at the
intake device or inline with the fan. The filter shall be
accessible for regular maintenance and replacement.
403.8.10 Source specific exhaust ventilation and whole house
ventilation alternate performance or design requirements. In
lieu of complying with Sections 403.8.4 or 403.8.5 compliance
with the section shall be demonstrated through engineering
calculations by an engineer licensed to practice in the state
of Washington or by performance testing. Documentation of
calculations or performance test results shall be submitted to
and approved by the building official. Performance testing
shall be conducted in accordance with approved test methods.
403.8.11 Alternate systems. When approved by the code
official, systems designed in accordance with ASHRAE Standard
62.2-2007 shall be permitted.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.190, 19.27.074, 19.27.031 and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. 10-03-099, § 51-52-0403, filed 1/20/10, effective 7/1/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.190, 19.27.020, and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. 07-01-092, § 51-52-0403, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.020, 19.27.031, 19.27.074 and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. 05-01-015, § 51-52-0403, filed 12/2/04, effective 7/1/05.]
Reviser's note: The brackets and enclosed material in the text of the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appear in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.