C403.2.13 Variable flow capability. For fan and pump motors 7.5 hp and greater including motors in or serving custom and packaged air handlers serving variable air volume fan systems, constant volume fans, heating and cooling hydronic pumping systems, pool and service water pumping systems, domestic water pressure boosting systems, cooling tower fan, and other pump or fan motors where variable flows are required, there shall be:
1. Variable speed drives; or
2. Other controls and devices that will result in fan and pump motor demand of no more than 30 percent of design wattage at 50 percent of design air volume for fans when static pressure set point equals 1/3 the total design static pressure, and 50 percent of design water flow for pumps, based on manufacturer's certified test data. Variable inlet vanes, throttling valves (dampers), scroll dampers or bypass circuits shall not be allowed.
EXCEPTION: | Variable speed devices are not required for motors that serve: |
| 1. Fans or pumps in packaged equipment where variable speed drives are not available as a factory option from the equipment manufacturer. |
| 2. Fans or pumps that are required to operate only for emergency fire-life-safety events (e.g., stairwell pressurization fans, elevator pressurization fans, fire pumps, etc.). |
C403.2.13.1 Heat rejection equipment. The requirements of this section apply to heat rejection equipment used in comfort cooling systems such as air-cooled condensers, open cooling towers, closed-circuit cooling towers, and evaporative condensers.
EXCEPTION: | Heat rejection devices included as an integral part of equipment listed in Tables C403.2.3(1) through C403.2.3(3). |
Heat rejection equipment shall have a minimum efficiency performance not less than values specified in Table C403.2.3(8). These requirements apply to all propeller, axial fan and centrifugal fan cooling towers. Table C403.2.3(8) specifies requirements for air-cooled condensers that are within rating conditions specified within the table.
C403.2.13.1.1 Variable flow controls. Cooling tower fans 7.5 hp and greater shall have control devices that vary flow by controlling the leaving fluid temperature or condenser temperature/pressure of the heat rejection device.
C403.2.13.1.2 Limitation on centrifugal fan cooling towers. Open cooling towers with a combined rated capacity of 1,100 gpm and greater at 95°F condenser water return, 85°F condenser water supply and 75°F outdoor wet-bulb temperature shall meet the energy efficiency requirement for axial fan open circuit cooling towers.
EXCEPTION: | Open circuit cooling towers that are ducted (inlet or discharge) or have external sound attenuation that requires external static pressure capability. |
[Statutory Authority: RCW
19.27A.020,
19.27A.025,
19.27A.160 and chapter
19.27 RCW. WSR 19-24-040, § 51-11C-403294, filed 11/26/19, effective 7/1/20. Statutory Authority: RCW
19.27A.025,
19.27A.160, and
19.27.074. WSR 16-03-072, § 51-11C-403294, filed 1/19/16, effective 7/1/16. Statutory Authority: RCW
19.27A.020,
19.27A.025 and chapters
19.27 and
34.05 RCW. WSR 13-04-056, § 51-11C-403294, filed 2/1/13, effective 7/1/13.]