PERMANENT RULES
Effective Date of Rule: July 1, 2010.
Purpose: To update chapter 51-11 WAC, Washington State Energy Code.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 51-11-0502 and 51-11-0503.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 19.27A.025 and 19.27A.045.
Other Authority: Chapters 19.27, 19.27A, and 34.05 RCW.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 08-17-086 on August 19, 2008.
Changes Other than Editing from Proposed to Adopted Version: Language concerning unvented attic assemblies in WAC 51-11-0201, 51-11-0502, 51-11-1007, and 51-11-1313 is not adopted at this time.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 2, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 2, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: November 25, 2008.
John P. Neff
Council Chair
OTS-1759.4
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 07-01-089, filed 12/19/06,
effective 7/1/07)
WAC 51-11-0502
Building envelope requirements.
502.1 General:
502.1.1: The stated U- or F-factor of any component
assembly, listed in Table 5-1 ((or 5-2)), such as
roof/ceiling, opaque wall or opaque floor may be increased and
the U-factor for other components decreased, provided that the
total heat gain or loss for the entire building envelope does
not exceed the total resulting from compliance to the
U-factors specified in this section.
The U-factors for typical construction assemblies are
included in Chapter 10. These values shall be used for all
calculations. Where proposed construction assemblies are not
represented in Chapter 10, values shall be calculated in
accordance with Chapters 23-30 in Standard RS-1 listed in
Chapter 7, using the framing factors listed in Chapter 10
where applicable.
For envelope assemblies containing metal framing, the
U-factor shall be determined by one of the following methods:
1. Results of laboratory or field measurements.
2. Standard RS-1, listed in Chapter 7, where the metal
framing is bonded on one or both sides to a metal skin or
covering.
3. The zone method as provided in Chapter 25 of Standard
RS-1, listed in Chapter 7.
4. Results of parallel path correction factors effective
framing/cavity R-values as provided in Table 10-5A - EFFECTIVE
R-VALUES FOR METAL FRAMING AND CAVITY ONLY for metal stud walls and
roof/ceilings.
502.1.2: For consideration of thermal mass effects, see
section 402.4.
502.1.3: When return air ceiling plenums are employed,
the roof/ceiling assembly shall:
a. For thermal transmittance purposes, not include the
ceiling proper nor the plenum space as part of the assembly;
and
b. For gross area purposes, be based upon the interior
face of the upper plenum surface.
502.1.4 Insulation:
502.1.4.1 General: All insulating materials shall comply
with sections 2603 and/or 719 of the International Building
Code. Substantial contact of the insulation with the surface
being insulated is required. All insulation materials shall
be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions to
achieve proper densities and maintain uniform R-values and
shall be installed in a manner which will permit inspection of
the manufacturer's R-value identification mark. To the
maximum extent possible, insulation shall extend over the full
component area to the intended R-value.
Alternatively, the thickness of roof/ceiling and wall
insulation that is either blown in or spray-applied shall be
identified by inches of thickness, density and R-value markers
installed at least one for every 300 square feet (28 m2)
through the attic, ceiling and/or wall space. In attics, the
markers shall be affixed to the trusses or joists and marked
with the minimum initial installed thickness and minimum
settled thickness with numbers a minimum 1.0 inch (25 mm) in
height. Each marker shall face the attic access. The
thickness of installed attic insulation shall meet or exceed
the minimum initial installed thickness shown by the marker.
In cathedral ceilings and walls, the markers shall be affixed
to the rafter and wall frame at alternating high and low
intervals and marked with the minimum installed density and
R-value with numbers a minimum 1.0 inch (25 mm) in height.
Each marker shall face the conditioned room area.
502.1.4.2 Insulation Materials: All insulation materials
including facings such as vapor barriers or breather papers
installed within floor/ceiling assemblies, roof/ceiling
assemblies, walls, crawl spaces, or attics shall have a flame
spread rating of less than 25 and a smoke density not to
exceed 450 when tested in accordance with ASTM E84-01.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. Foam plastic insulation shall comply with section 2603 of the International Building Code.
2. When such materials are installed in concealed spaces of Types III, IV and V construction, the flame
spread and smoke developed limitations do not apply to facing, provided that the facing is installed in
substantial contact with the unexposed surface of the ceiling, floor or wall finish.
3. Cellulose insulation shall comply with section 719 of the International Building Code.
502.1.4.3 Clearances: Where required, insulation shall
be installed with clearances according to manufacturer's
specifications. Insulation shall be installed so that
required ventilation is unobstructed. For blown or poured
loose fill insulation, clearances shall be maintained through
installation of a permanent retainer.
502.1.4.4 Access Hatches and Doors: Access doors from
conditioned spaces to unconditioned spaces (e.g., attics and
crawl spaces) shall be weatherstripped and insulated to a
level equivalent to the insulation on the surrounding
surfaces. Access shall be provided to all equipment which
prevents damaging or compressing the insulation. A wood
framed or equivalent baffle or retainer must be provided when
loose fill insulation is installed, the purpose of which is to
prevent the loose fill insulation from spilling into the
living space when the attic access is opened, and to provide a
permanent means of maintaining the installed R-value of the
loose fill insulation.
502.1.4.5 Roof/Ceiling Insulation: Open-blown or poured
loose fill insulation may be used in attic spaces where the
slope of the ceiling is not more than 3 feet in 12 and there
is at least 30 inches of clear distance from the top of the
bottom chord of the truss or ceiling joist to the underside of
the sheathing at the roof ridge. When eave vents are
installed, baffling of the vent openings shall be provided so
as to deflect the incoming air above the surface of the
insulation. Baffles shall be, rigid material, resistant to
wind driven moisture. Requirements for baffles for ceiling
insulation shall meet the International Building Code section
1203.2 for minimum ventilation requirements. When feasible,
the baffles shall be installed from the top of the outside of
the exterior wall, extending inward, to a point 6 inches
vertically above the height of noncompressed insulation, and
12 inches vertically above loose fill insulation.
502.1.4.6 Wall Insulation: Insulation installed in
exterior walls shall comply with the provisions of this
section. All wall insulation shall fill the entire framed
cavity. Exterior wall cavities isolated during framing shall
be fully insulated to the levels of the surrounding walls.
All faced insulation shall be face stapled to avoid
compression.
| EXCEPTION: | Framed cavity can be empty or partially filled provided: |
| 1. The wall assembly calculations are performed along with a completed performance calculation for
the whole building; and |
|
| 2. Insulation installed in partially filled cavities is not included in the performance calculation. |
EXCEPTION:
Insulation may be omitted from floor areas over heated basements, heated garages or underfloor areas
used as HVAC supply plenums. When foundation walls are insulated, the insulation shall be attached in
a permanent manner. The insulation shall not block the airflow through foundation vents when
installed. When foundation vents are not placed so that the top of the vent is below the lower surface
of the floor insulation, a permanently attached baffle shall be installed at an angle of 30° from
horizontal, to divert air flow below the lower surface of the floor insulation.
502.1.4.8 Slab-On-Grade: Slab-on-grade insulation,
installed inside the foundation wall, shall extend downward
from the top of the slab for a minimum distance of 24 inches
or downward and then horizontally beneath the slab for a
minimum combined distance of 24 inches. Insulation installed
outside the foundation shall extend downward to a minimum of
24 inches or to the frostline. Above grade insulation shall
be protected.
EXCEPTION:
For monolithic slabs, the insulation shall extend downward from the top of the slab to the bottom of
the footing.
502.1.4.9 Radiant Slabs: The entire area of a radiant
slab shall be thermally isolated from the soil, with a minimum
of R-10 insulation. The insulation shall be an approved
product for its intended use. If a soil gas control system is
present below the radiant slab, which results in increased
convective flow below the radiant slab, the radiant slab shall
be thermally isolated from the sub-slab gravel layer.
502.1.4.10 Below Grade Walls: Below grade exterior wall
insulation used on the exterior (cold) side of the wall shall
extend from the top of the below grade wall to the top of the
footing and shall be approved for below grade use. Above
grade insulation shall be protected.
Insulation used on the interior (warm) side of the wall
shall extend from the top of the below grade wall to the below
grade floor level.
502.1.5 Glazing and Door U-factors: Glazing and door
U-factors shall be determined in accordance with sections
502.1.5.1 and 502.1.5.2. All products shall be labeled with
the NFRC certified or default U-factor. The labeled U-factor
shall be used in all calculations to determine compliance with
this Code. Sealed insulating glass shall conform to, or be in
test for, ASTM E-774-81 class A.
| EXCEPTIONS: | 1. For glazed wall systems, assemblies with all of the following features are deemed to satisfy the
vertical glazing U-factor requirement in Table 6-1 or 6-2 options with vertical glazing U-0.40 and
greater: |
| a. Double glazing with a minimum 1/2 inch gap width, having a low-emissivity coating with e = 0.10
maximum, with 90% minimum argon gas fill, and a non-aluminum spacer (as defined in footnote 1 to
Table 10-6B), and |
|
| b. Frame that is thermal break aluminum (as defined in footnote 9 to Table 10-6B), wood, aluminum
clad wood, vinyl, aluminum clad vinyl, or reinforced vinyl. |
|
| The only labeling requirement for products using this exception shall be a description of the product
and a label stating: "This product is deemed to satisfy the Table 6-1 or 6-2 vertical glazing U-factor
requirement using the exception to Section 502.1.5 in the Washington State Energy Code." |
|
| 2. For overhead glazing, assemblies with all of the following features are deemed to satisfy the overhead
glazing U-factor requirement in Table 6-1 or 6-2 options except the unlimited glazing area options
(Options IV and V in Table 6-1 and Options V, VI and VII in Table 6-2): |
|
| a. Either, double glazing with a minimum 1/2 inch gap width, having a low-emissivity coating with e
=0.20 maximum, with 90% minimum argon gas fill, or, triple glazed plastic domes, and |
|
| b. Frame that is thermal break aluminum (as defined in footnote 9 to Table 10-6B), wood, aluminum
clad wood, vinyl, aluminum clad vinyl, or reinforced vinyl. |
|
| The only labeling requirement for products using this exception shall be a description of the product
and a label stating: "This product is deemed to satisfy the Table 6-1 or 6-2 overhead glazing U-factor
requirement using the exception to Section 502.1.5 in the Washington State Energy Code." |
|
| 3. For solariums with a floor area which does not exceed 300 square feet, assemblies which comply with
the features listed in exception 2 are deemed to satisfy the vertical glazing and overhead glazing
U-factor requirement in Table 6-1 or 6-2 options with vertical glazing U-0.40 and greater. |
|
| The only labeling requirement for products using this exception shall be a description of the product
and a label stating: "This product is deemed to satisfy the Table 6-1 or 6-2 vertical glazing and
overhead glazing U-factor requirements using the exception to Section 502.1.5 in the Washington
State Energy Code." |
EXCEPTIONS:
1. Glazing products without NFRC ratings may be assigned default U-factors from Table 10-6A for
vertical glazing and from Table 10-6E for overhead glazing.
2. Units without NFRC ratings produced by a small business may be assigned default U-factors from
Table 10-6A for garden windows, from Table 10-6B for other vertical glazing, and from Table 10-6E
for overhead glazing.
502.1.5.2 Standard Procedure for Determination of Door
U-factors: All doors, including fire doors, shall be assigned
default U-factors from Table 10-6C.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. U-factors determined, certified and labeled in accordance with the National Fenestration Rating
Council (NFRC) Product Certification Program (PCP), as authorized by an independent certification
and inspection agency licensed by the NFRC.
2. The default values for the opaque portions of doors shall be those listed in Table 10-6C, provided
that the U-factor listed for a door with a thermal break shall only be allowed if both the door and the
frame have a thermal break.
3. One unlabeled or untested exterior swinging door with the maximum area of 24 square feet may be
installed for ornamental, security or architectural purposes. Products using this exception shall not be
included in the U-factor calculation requirements, however glazing area shall be included in glazing area
calculations.
502.1.6 Moisture Control:
502.1.6.1 Vapor Retarders: Vapor retarders shall be
installed on the warm side (in winter) of insulation as
specified in the following cases.
| EXCEPTION: | Vapor retarder installed with not more than 1/3 of the nominal R-value between it and the conditioned space. |
502.1.6.3 Roof/Ceilings: Roof/ceiling assemblies where
the ventilation space above the insulation is less than an
average of 12 inches shall be provided with a vapor retarder.
Faced batt insulation where used as a vapor retarder shall be
face stapled. Single rafter joist vaulted ceiling cavities
shall be of sufficient depth to allow a minimum one inch
vented air space above the insulation.
502.1.6.4: Vapor retarders shall not be required in roof/ceiling assemblies where the ventilation space above the insulation averages 12 inches or greater.
502.1.6.5: Vapor retarders shall not be required where
all of the insulation is installed between the roof membrane
and the structural roof deck.
502.1.6.6 Walls: Walls separating conditioned space from
unconditioned space shall have a vapor retarder installed.
Faced batt insulation shall be face stapled.
| EXCEPTION: | For climate zone 1, wood framed walls with a minimum of nominal R-5 continuous insulated sheathing installed outside of the framing and structural sheathing. For climate zone 2, wood framed walls with a minimum of nominal R-7.5 continuous insulated sheathing installed outside of the framing and structural sheathing. The interior cavity insulation for this exception shall be a maximum of nominal R-21. |
| EXCEPTION: | The ground cover may be omitted in crawl spaces if the crawl space has a concrete slab floor with a minimum thickness of 3-1/2 inches. |
502.2.1 UA Calculations: The proposed UA as calculated
using Equations 2 and 3 shall not exceed the target UA as
calculated using Equation 1. For the purpose of determining
equivalent thermal performance, the glazing area for the
target UA shall be calculated using values in Table 5-1. The
opaque door area shall be the same in the target UA and the
proposed UA.
| EXCEPTION: | Log and solid timber walls that have a minimum average thickness of 3.5" and with space heat type other than electric resistance, are exempt from wall target UA and proposed UA calculations. |
1. Electric Resistance: Space heating systems which
include baseboard units, radiant units and forced air units as
either the primary or secondary heating system.
| EXCEPTION: | Electric resistance systems for which the total electric heat capacity in each individual dwelling unit does not exceed the greater of: 1) One thousand watts (1000 w) per dwelling unit, or; 2) One watt per square foot (1 w/ft2) of the gross floor area. |
502.3 Reserved.
502.4 Air Leakage:
502.4.1 General: The requirements of this section shall
apply to all buildings and structures, or portions thereof,
and only to those locations separating outdoor ambient
conditions from interior spaces that are heated or
mechanically cooled.
502.4.2 Doors and Windows, General: Exterior doors and
windows shall be designed to limit air leakage into or from
the building envelope. Site-constructed doors and windows
shall be sealed in accordance with Section 502.4.3.
502.4.3 Seals and Weatherstripping:
a. Exterior joints around windows and door frames,
openings between walls and foundation, between walls and roof
and wall panels; openings at penetrations of utility services
through walls, floors and roofs; and all other openings in the
building envelope for all occupancies and all other openings
in between units in R-1 and R-2 Occupancy shall be sealed,
caulked, gasketed or weatherstripped to limit air leakage.
Other exterior joints and seams shall be similarly treated, or
taped, or covered with moisture vapor permeable housewrap.
b. All exterior doors or doors serving as access to an
enclosed unheated area shall be weatherstripped to limit
leakage around their perimeter when in a closed position.
c. Site built windows are exempt from testing but shall
be made tight fitting. Fixed lights shall have glass retained
by stops with sealant or caulking all around. Operating sash
shall have weatherstripping working against overlapping trim
and a closer/latch which will hold the sash closed. The
window frame to framing crack shall be made tight with
caulking, overlapping membrane or other approved technique.
d. Openings that are required to be fire resistive are
exempt from this section.
502.4.4 Recessed Lighting Fixtures: When installed in
the building envelope, recessed lighting fixtures shall be
Type IC rated and certified under ASTM E283 to have no more
than 2.0 cfm air movement from the conditioned space to the
ceiling cavity. The lighting fixture shall be tested at 75
Pascals or 1.57 lbs/ft2 pressure difference and have a label
attached, showing compliance with this test method. Recessed
lighting fixtures shall be installed with a gasket or caulk
between the fixture and ceiling to prevent air leakage.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27A.022, 19.27A.025, 19.27A.045, and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. 07-01-089, § 51-11-0502, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27A.025, 19.27A.045 and chapters 19.27, 19.27A, and 34.05 RCW. 05-01-013, § 51-11-0502, filed 12/2/04, effective 7/1/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27A.020, 19.27A.045. 04-01-106, § 51-11-0502, filed 12/17/03, effective 7/1/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27A.025, 19.27A.045. 02-01-112, § 51-11-0502, filed 12/18/01, effective 7/1/02; 01-03-010, § 51-11-0502, filed 1/5/01, effective 7/1/01; 98-03-003, § 51-11-0502, filed 1/8/98, effective 7/1/98. Statutory Authority: Chapters 19.27 and 19.27A RCW and 1994 c 226. 95-01-126, § 51-11-0502, filed 12/21/94, effective 6/30/95. Statutory Authority: Chapters 19.27, 19.27A and 34.05 RCW. 94-05-059, § 51-11-0502, filed 2/10/94, effective 4/1/94. Statutory Authority: Chapter 19.27A RCW. 92-01-140, § 51-11-0502, filed 12/19/91, effective 7/1/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27A.020 and 1990 c 2. 91-01-112, § 51-11-0502, filed 12/19/90, effective 7/1/91.]
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.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 07-01-089, filed 12/19/06,
effective 7/1/07)
WAC 51-11-0503
Building mechanical systems.
503.1 General: This section covers the determination of design requirements, system and component performance, control requirements, insulating systems and duct sealing. For all other duct construction requirements, refer to the State Mechanical Code (chapter 51-42 WAC).
503.2 Calculations of Heating and Cooling Loads, and
System Sizing Limits: The design parameters specified in
Chapter 3 shall apply for all computations.
503.2.1 Calculation Procedures: Heating and cooling
design loads for the purpose of sizing HVAC systems are
required and shall be calculated in accordance with accepted
engineering practice, including infiltration and ventilation.
503.2.2 Space Heating and Space Cooling System Sizing
Limits: Building mechanical systems for all buildings which
provide space heating and/or space cooling shall be sized no
greater than one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the heating
and cooling design loads as calculated above.
EXCEPTIONS:
The following limited exemptions from the sizing limit shall be allowed; however, in all cases heating
and/or cooling design load calculations shall be submitted.
1. For equipment which provides both heating and cooling in one package unit, including heat pumps
with electric heating and cooling and gas-pack units with gas heating and electric cooling, compliance
need only be demonstrated for either the space heating or space cooling system size.
2. Natural gas- or oil-fired space heating equipment whose total rated space heating output in any one
dwelling unit is
a. 40,000 Btu/h or less is exempt from the sizing limit,
b. Larger than 40,000 Btu/h may exceed the one hundred fifty (150%) percent sizing limit but not
exceed 250 percent provided that the installed equipment has an annual fuel utilization efficiency
(AFUE) of ninety (90%) percent or greater.
3. Stand-by equipment may be installed if controls and other devices are provided which allow
redundant equipment to operate only when the primary equipment is not operating.
503.3 Simultaneous Heating and Cooling: Systems and
equipment that provide simultaneous heating and cooling shall
comply with the requirements in, as appropriate, Section 1422
or Section 1435.
503.4 HVAC Equipment Performance Requirements: All
heating equipment shall meet the requirements of the National
Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA) and be so labeled. Equipment shall also comply with Section 1411.
503.5 Reserved.
503.6 Balancing: The HVAC system design shall provide a
means for balancing air and water systems. Balancing the
system shall include, but not be limited to, dampers,
temperature and pressure test connections and balancing
valves.
503.7 Cooling with Outdoor Air (Economizer Cycle):
Systems and equipment that provide mechanical cooling shall
comply with Section 1413 and, as appropriate, Section 1423 or
1433.
503.8 Controls:
503.8.1 Temperature Control: Each system shall be
provided with at least one adjustable thermostat for the
regulation of temperature. Each thermostat shall be capable
of being set by adjustment or selection of sensors as follows:
503.8.1.1: When used to control heating only:
Fifty-five degrees to seventy-five degrees F.
503.8.1.2: When used to control cooling only: Seventy
degrees to eighty-five degrees F.
503.8.1.3: When used to control both heating and
cooling, it shall be capable of being set from fifty-five
degrees to eighty-five degrees F and shall be capable of
operating the system heating and cooling in sequence. The
thermostat and/or control system shall have an adjustable
deadband of not less than ten degrees F.
503.8.2 Humidity Control: If a system is equipped with a
means for adding moisture to maintain specific selected
relative humidities in space or zones, a humidistat shall be
provided. Humidistats shall be capable of being set to
prevent new energy from being used to produce space-relative
humidity above thirty percent.
EXCEPTION:
Special uses requiring different relative humidities may be permitted when approved by the building
official.
503.8.3 Zoning for Temperature Control:
503.8.3.1 One- and Two-Family Dwellings: At least one
thermostat for regulation of space temperature shall be
provided for each separate system. In addition, a readily
accessible manual or automatic means shall be provided to
partially restrict or shut off the heating and/or cooling
input to each zone or floor.
503.8.3.2 Multifamily Dwellings: For multifamily
dwellings, each individual dwelling unit shall have at least
one thermostat for regulation of space temperature. A readily
accessible manual or automatic means shall be provided to
partially restrict or shut off the heating and/or cooling
input to each room. Spaces other than living units shall meet
the requirements of 503.8.3.3.
503.8.3.3 Control Setback and Shutoff:
One- and Two-Family and Individual Multifamily dwelling
units -- The thermostat required in section 503.8.3.1 or section
503.8.3.2, or an alternate means such as a switch or clock,
shall provide a readily accessible, manual or automatic means
for reducing the energy required for heating and cooling
during the periods of nonuse or reduced need, such as, but not
limited to unoccupied periods and sleeping hours. Lowering
thermostat set points to reduce energy consumption of heating
systems shall not cause energy to be expended to reach the
reduced setting.
503.8.3.4 Systems Serving Multiple Dwelling Units, Guest
Rooms, and Common Areas: Systems that serve more than two
dwelling units, guest rooms, and common areas shall comply
with the control requirements in Sections 1412 and 1432, with
the exceptions of Sections 1412.4.2 and 1432.1.
503.8.3.5 Heat Pump Controls: Programmable thermostats
are required for all heat pump systems. The cut-on
temperature for the compression heating shall be higher than
the cut-on temperature for the supplementary heat, and the
cut-off temperature for the compression heating shall be
higher than the cut-off temperature for the supplementary
heat. Heat pump thermostats will be capable of providing at
least two programmable setback periods per day. The automatic
setback thermostat shall have the capability of limiting the
use of supplemental heat during the warm-up period.
503.9 Air Handling Duct System Insulation: Ducts,
plenums and enclosures installed in or on buildings shall be
thermally insulated per Table 5-11.
EXCEPTIONS:
Duct insulation (except where required to prevent condensation) is not required in any of the following
cases:
1. When the heat gain or loss of the ducts, without insulation, will not increase the energy requirements
of the building.
2. Within the HVAC equipment.
3. Exhaust air ducts.
4. Supply or return air ducts installed in unvented crawl spaces with insulated walls, basements, or cellars
in one- and two-family dwellings.
503.10 Ducts.
503.10.1 Leakage Testing: High-pressure and
medium-pressure ducts shall be leak tested in accordance with
the 1985 Edition of the SMACNA HVAC Air Duct Leakage Test
Manual with the rate of air leakage not to exceed the maximum
rate specified in that standard.
503.10.2 ((Seams and Joints)) Sealing: All
((low-pressure supply and return duct transverse joints, and
enclosed stud bays or joist cavities/space used to transport
air, shall be securely fastened and sealed with welds,
gaskets, mastics (adhesives), or mastic-plus-embedded-fabric
systems installed in accordance with the manufacturer's
installation instructions)) ducts, air handlers, filter boxes,
and building cavities used as ducts shall be sealed. Joints
and seams shall comply with Section M1601.3 of the
International Residential Code or Section 603.9 of the
International Mechanical Code. Duct tightness testing shall
be conducted to verify that the ducts are sealed. A signed
affidavit documenting the test results shall be provided to
the jurisdiction having authority by the testing agent. When
required by the building official, the test shall be conducted
in the presence of department staff. Duct tightness shall be
verified by either of the following:
1. Postconstruction test: Leakage to outdoors shall be
less than or equal to 6 cfm per 100 ft2 of conditioned floor
area or a total leakage less than or equal to 8 cfm per 100 ft2
of conditioned floor area when tested at a pressure
differential of 0.1 inches w.g. (25 Pa) across the entire
system, including the manufacturer's air handler enclosure.
All register boots shall be taped or otherwise sealed during
the test.
2. Rough-in test: Total leakage shall be less than or
equal to 6 cfm per 100 ft2 of conditioned floor area when
tested at a pressure differential of 0.1 inches w.g. (25 Pa)
across the roughed-in system, including the manufacturer's air
handler enclosure. All register boots shall be taped or
otherwise sealed during the test. If the air handler is not
installed at the time of the test, total leakage shall be less
than or equal to 4 cfm per 100 ft2 of conditioned floor area.
| EXCEPTIONS: | 1. (( |
| 2. (( |
|
| (( |
|
503.11 Pipe Insulation: All piping shall be thermally
insulated in accordance with Table 5-12.
EXCEPTION:
Piping installed within unitary HVAC equipment.
Cold water pipes outside the conditioned space shall be
insulated in accordance with the Washington State Plumbing
Code (chapter 51-56 WAC).
[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27A.022, 19.27A.025, 19.27A.045, and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. 07-01-089, § 51-11-0503, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27A.020, 19.27A.045. 04-01-106, § 51-11-0503, filed 12/17/03, effective 7/1/04; 02-24-076, § 51-11-0503, filed 12/4/02, effective 5/1/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27A.025, 19.27A.045. 02-01-112, § 51-11-0503, filed 12/18/01, effective 7/1/02; 01-03-010, § 51-11-0503, filed 1/5/01, effective 7/1/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27A.020, 19.27A.045, and 19.27.020. 98-24-075, § 51-11-0503, filed 12/1/98, effective 7/1/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27A.025 and 19.27A.045. 98-03-003, § 51-11-0503, filed 1/8/98, effective 7/1/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27A.025. 93-21-052, § 51-11-0503, filed 10/18/93, effective 4/1/94. Statutory Authority: Chapter 19.27A RCW. 92-01-140, § 51-11-0503, filed 12/19/91, effective 7/1/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27A.020 and 1990 c 2. 91-01-112, § 51-11-0503, filed 12/19/90, effective 7/1/91.]