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Mechanical/Plumbing CODE INTERPRETATION

Code Volume Reference:

Code Chapter Reference:

Subject:

Effective Date:

Prepared/Revision Date:

NC Mechanical Code 2009

306.5

Roof Access

Jan. 1, 2003

3/25/2009

CODE:

MECKLENBURG COUNTY Land Use and Environmental Services Agency

Code Enforcement

306.5 Equipment and appliances on roofs or elevated structures. Where equipment and appliances requiring access are installed on roofs or elevated structures at a height exceeding 16 feet (4877 mm), such access shall be provided by a permanent approved means of access, the extent of which shall be from grade or floor level to the equipment and appliances’ level service space. Such access shall not require climbing over obstructions greater than 30 inches (762 mm) high or walking on roofs having a slope greater than 4 units vertical in 12 units horizontal (33-percent slope). Permanent ladders installed to provide the required access shall comply with the following minimum design criteria: 1. The side railing shall extend above the parapet or roof edge not less than 30 inches (762 mm). 2. Ladders shall have rung spacing not to exceed 14 inches (356 mm) on center. 3. Ladders shall have a toe spacing not less than 6 inches (152 mm) deep. 4. There shall be a minimum of 18 inches ( 457 mm) between rails. 5. Rungs shall have a minimum 0.75-inch (19 mm) diameter and be capable of withstanding a 300-pound (136.1 kg) load. 6. Ladders over 30 feet (9144 mm) in height shall be provided with offset sections and landings capable of withstanding 100 pounds (488.2 kg/m2) per square foot. 7. Ladders shall be protected against corrosion by approved means. Catwalks installed to provide the required access shall be not less than 24 inches (610 mm) wide and shall have railings as required for ser vice platforms. Exception: This section shall not apply to Group R-3 occupancies.

continued

INTERPRETATION:

Approved by:

Philip B. Edwards, M/P Code Administrator

DOI and the ICC have determined, that tenant access to roof service ladders or roof stairs/stairwells for an individual tenants equipment service, shall be accessible to all of the building tenants all of the time (24hrs/day). This can only be accomplished by placing these access components in common areas of the building (i.e., outside, common equipment room, etc.) This Code interpretation is applicable to any structure constructed under the 2006 NC Mechanical Code. This will not apply to structures constructed under earlier versions of the NC Building Codes. (Existing Building designation) Provided that: • Any equipment changed has to be an exact equipment replacement .

Note: The addition of any new equipment will be applicable to the 2006 NC Mechanical Code. (requires Full Plan Review)

• A “Change of Use” in occupancy type will be required to meet the 2006 NC Mechanical Code. (requires Full Plan Review)

• The addition of OR reduction in tenant space square footage will be required to meet the 2006 NC Mechanical Code. (requires Full Plan Review)

Notes: • There will be NO Mechanical plan Review on “shell” buildings. Mechanical Plan Review will commence on upfit

submission. Mechanical components depicted on “shell” drawings are the owner/designer’s risk. • In areas where “security” to the roof is an issue and the height of the roof exceeds 16’, modifications to the perma-

nent ladder may be acceptable. (Requires approval) Examples:

• Lockable caged ladder. • Extendable ladder. • Stop the permanent ladder short of the ground (10’ max.) and use portable ladder to access. (May require a

platform)

Mechanical/Plumbing CODE INTERPRETATION

Code Volume Reference:

Code Chapter Reference:

Subject:

Effective Date:

Prepared/Revision Date:

Mechanical Code 2009

506.3.12.2

Grease Duct Termination

1/1/2003

3/26/2009

CODE:

INTERPRETATION:

Prepared by: Consistency Team

Approved by:

Philip B. Edwards, M/P Code Administrator

MECKLENBURG COUNTY Land Use and Environmental Services Agency

Code Enforcement

506.3.12.2 Termination through an exterior wall. Exhaust outlets shall be permitted to terminate through exterior walls where the smoke, grease, gases, vapors, and odors in the discharge from such terminations do not create a public nui-sance or a fire hazard. Such terminations shall not be located where protected openings are required by the International Building Code. Other exterior openings shall not be located within 3 feet (914 mm) of such terminations.

Horizontal termination of grease duct through an exterior wall shall extend 18” beyond finish surface and grade downward to grill termination. This will allow grease deposited on grill to drip to ground without fouling building finish (nuisance) and creating a fire hazard. Exception: Water wash hoods or listed and tested systems (not portable in nature) with greater filtration capabilities may terminate flush with exterior wall.

MECKLENBURG COUNTY

Land Use and Environmental Services Agency Code Enforcement

CODE

INTERPRETATION Mechanical/Plumbing

Code Volume Reference: NC Mechanical Code (2012)

Code Chapter Reference: 507.2.1

Subject: Rational Ovens

Effective Date: 2/1/2008

Prepared/Revision Date: 10/15/2015

CODE:

507.2.1 Type I hoods. Type I hoods shall be installed where cooking appliances produce grease

or smoke. Type I hoods shall be installed over heavy-duty and extra-heavy-duty cooking

appliances. Type I hoods shall be installed over light-duty cooking appliances and medium-duty

cooking appliances that produce grease or smoke.

INTERPRETATION:

Having reviewed documentation from UL and Rational, it was determined that Rational Ovens may be utilized in restaurants provided they are placed under a type II hood.

Exception: Rational Ovens placed under a Rational UltraVent Condensation hood or a Rational UltraVent Plus Condensation hood are exempt from Type I and Type II hoods


Approved By: ____________________________________________________________________

Tommy Rowland, M/P Code Administrator

MECKLENBURG COUNTY


CODE



Code Chapter Reference: 507.2.1, 507.2.2

Subject: Type II Hood Clarification


Prepared/Revision Date: 5/1/2017

CODE:

507.2.1 Type I hoods. Type I hoods shall be installed where cooking appliances produce grease or smoke. Type I

hoods shall be installed over heavy-duty and extra-heavy-duty cooking appliances. Type I hoods shall be installed

over light-duty cooking appliances and medium-duty cooking appliances that produce grease or smoke.

507.2.2 Type II hoods. Type II hoods shall be installed above dishwashers and light-duty appliances and medium-

duty appliances that produce heat or moisture and do not produce grease or smoke, except where the heat and

moisture loads from such appliances are incorporated into the HVAC system design or into the design of a separate

removal system. Type II hoods shall be installed above all light-duty appliances and medium-duty appliances that

produce products of combustion and do not produce grease or smoke. Spaces containing cooking appliances that do

not require Type II hoods shall be ventilated in accordance with Section 403.3.

Exceptions:

1. Under-counter-type commercial dishwashing machines.

2. A Type II hood is not required for dishwashers and potwashers that are provided with heat and water vapor

exhaust systems supplied by the appliance manufacturer and installed in accordance with the

manufacturer’s installation instructions.

3. Light-duty electric convection, bread, retherm or microwave ovens. The additional heat and moisture loads

generated by such appliances shall be accounted for in the design of the HVAC system.

4. A Type II hood is not required for the following electrically heated appliances: toasters, steam tables,

popcorn poppers, hot dog cookers, coffee makers, rice cookers, egg cookers, holding/warming ovens. The

additional heat and moisture loads generated by such appliances shall be accounted for in the design of the

HVAC system.

5. Low-temperature commercial chemical-type dishwashers.

507.2.3 Domestic cooking appliances used for commercial purposes. Domestic cooking appliances utilized for

commercial purposes shall be provided with Type I or Type II hoods as required for the type of appliances and

processes in accordance with Sections 507.2, 507.2.1 and 507.2.2.

Exception: A maximum of two domestic ranges installed in dwelling units, churches, schools, day care

centers, break areas and similar installations.

INTERPRETATION:

For purposes of clarification, the cooking equipment referenced in 507.2.1 would involve a “commercial cooking

process” where by food is typically prepared and sold to customers. These processes would include culinary schools,

public or private schools, hospitals, and large corporate kitchens and similar occupancies.

The exception in 507.2.3 refers to cooking processes that are sporadic and not as intensive as those referred to in

507.2.1 and 507.2.2. These processes could utilize a type II hood due to the limited use and lesser grease

accumulation. This would include apartment/condominium clubhouse, appliance sales center or similar.


Approved By: ____________________________________________________________________


MECKLENBURG COUNTY


CODE



Code Chapter Reference: 607.3.1

Subject: Radiation Dampers in Apartments

Effective Date: January 1, 2019

Prepared/Revision Date: August 2018

CODE:

607.3.1 Damper testing. Dampers shall be listed and labeled in accordance with the standards in this section. Fire dampers shall comply with the requirements of UL 555. Only fire dampers and ceiling radiation dampers labeled for use in dynamic systems shall be installed in heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems designed to operate with fans on during a fire. Smoke dampers shall comply with the requirements of UL 555S. Combination fire/smoke dampers shall comply with the requirements of both UL 555 and UL 555S. Ceiling radiation dampers shall comply with the requirements of UL 555C or shall be tested as part of a fire-resistance-rated floor/ceiling or roof/ceiling assembly in accordance with ASTM E119 or UL 263. Corridor dampers shall comply with requirements of both UL 555 and UL 555S. Corridor dampers shall demonstrate acceptable closure performance when subjected to 150 feet per minute (0.76 mps) velocity across the face of the damper using the UL 555 fire exposure test. BACKGROUND:

Static radiation dampers installed in the supply duct at the ceiling penetration of floor/ceiling assemblies in apartment buildings. The installation was not code compliant because a dynamic fire radiation damper would be required by UL 555C. Per UL 555C air flowing against the static radiation damper from the air handler could cause the damper to fail open and spread smoke or fire to other areas of the apartment through

the supply duct system. An initial solution of installing a static damper and using a standard room smoke detector was implemented. This caused several issues about the placement of the smoke detector and the way the detector was interlocked with the HVAC unit. INTERPRETATION:

After researching the issue and possible solutions to provide an equal level of compliance to Section 607.3.1 of the NC Mechanical Code, any of the following are acceptable:

1. A listed UL 555C dynamic radiation damper with the appropriate rating for the assembly.

2. A static damper with a duct detector on the air handling unit to shut down the unit upon detection of smoke.

3. A static damper with a firestat located below the damper to shut down the air handling unit. The firestat shall have a setting between 160 degrees and 215 degrees, but in no case higher than the damper’s fusible link.

Please Note: The use of a room smoke detector to shut down the air handling unit will no longer be accepted.


Approved By: ____________________________________________________________________


MECKLENBURG COUNTY


Standard Operating

Procedure (SOP) Mechanical/Plumbing


Code Chapter Reference: 805 NCMC, R1004 NCRC

Subject: Factory Built Fireplaces


Prepared/Revision Date: October 2017

CODE:

R1004.1 General. Factory-built fireplaces shall be listed and labeled and shall be installed in accordance with the

conditions of the listing. Factory-built fireplaces shall be tested in accordance with UL 127.

805.1 Listing. Factory-built chimneys shall be listed and labeled and shall be installed and terminated in accordance

with the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

805.2 Solid fuel appliances. Factory-built chimneys installed in dwelling units with solid fuel-burning appliances

shall comply with the Type HT requirements of UL 103 and shall be marked “Type HT” and “Residential Type and

Building Heating Appliance Chimney.”

Exception: Chimneys for use with open combustion chamber fireplaces shall comply with the requirements

of UL 103 and shall be marked “Residential Type and Building Heating Appliance Chimney.”

Chimneys for use with open combustion chamber appliances installed in buildings other than dwelling units shall

comply with the requirements of UL 103 and shall be marked “Building Heating Appliance Chimney” or

“Residential Type and Building Heating Appliance Chimney.”

805.3 Factory-built fireplaces. Chimneys for use with factory- built fireplaces shall comply with the requirements

of UL 127.

805.4 Support. Where factory-built chimneys are supported by structural members, such as joists and rafters, such

members shall be designed to support the additional load. Standard Operating Procedure:

This SOP is to clarify how factory built fireplaces are permitted and inspected.

Permitting:

If the factory built fireplace (solid fuel or gas) will have a factory built chimney/vent system, then a separate

Mechanical permit will be required. When a separate Mechanical permit is required, the cost of the factory built

fireplace needs to be pulled out of the total construction cost for the Building permit.

Inspections:

While these fireplaces will have a separate Mechanical permit, both the Building and Mechanical Inspector will have

roles in the inspection process.

Building Inspector is responsible for inspecting the framing, clearances, fire blocking and air barrier

clearances (T-Ply, etc)

Mechanical Inspector is responsible for inspecting the installation of the factory built chimney/vent per

the manufacturer’s installation instructions (including but not limited to; venting, clearances, support,

firestop plates, insulation shield and termination)

The inspection on the factory built chimney/vent is part of the rough inspection and will need to be passed to

proceed to the insulation inspection.

Note: The term factory built fireplace refers to A listed and labeled fireplace and chimney system

composed of factory-made components, and assembled in the field in accordance with manufacturer’s

instructions and the conditions of the listing. This includes modular fireplaces and chimney systems (i.e.

Isokern)

Approved By: ____________________________________________________________________


MECKLENBURG COUNTY


CODE


Code Volume Reference: Policy

Code Chapter Reference: Policy

Subject: Gas Range Requirements at Final Inspection

Effective Date: April 17, 2015

Prepared/Revision Date: April 17, 2015

POLICY:

This policy ONLY covers standard free standing gas ranges 30 inches or less in width.

This policy DOES NOT apply to:

Drop in gas ranges

Gas cooktops

Built in gas ovens

Free standing gas ranges over 30 inches in width

For the final inspection, the gas range is not required to be installed provided all the following

requirements are met:

1. The range is not onsite (if on site, it must be installed, no exceptions)

2. All required gas piping, regulators (if applicable) and appliance shutoffs have been

installed

3. The gas piping shall be plugged or capped at appliance shutoff (no appliance connector

can be installed)

4. Standard 36 inch tall base cabinets are installed

5. Wall cabinets are a minimum 18 inches above the counter top.


Approved By: ____________________________________________________________________


MECKLENBURG COUNTY


CODE




Subject: Shell Requirements - Mechanical

Effective Date: July 1, 1997

Prepared/Revision Date: December 2018

POLICY:

No duct, VAV boxes, equipment flues, gas piping, catwalks, access ladders or scuttle access for tenant spaces will be allowed/checked during the “SHELL PHASE” of construction. The placement of access ladders/scuttles or mechanical equipment on roof top curbs are at the designer/contractor/owner’s RISK. There will be a mechanical review on the upfit of each tenant space where these Code requirements will be applied/checked and the misplacement of equipment curbs, catwalks, rails, ladders, roof access, etc. will be corrected during the tenant upfit. Exceptions:

1. This policy shall not impede the installation of duct (in a shaft), covered under another valid permit, from traversing through a “shell” floor/space in a multi-floor project.

2. RTUs or Unit heaters may be utilized for freeze protection where sprinklers are installed. Gas piping shall be limited to the RTUs or Unit Heaters only. Gas piping shall be supplied by one meter only, controlled by the landlord/management company. If RTUs are utilized, ductwork shall be limited to the depth of the roof assembly and a 4 ft radius from the penetration for distribution. A set thermostat shall be used limiting the temperature to less than 50 degrees. The mechanical review will be limited to the gas piping and venting, ventilation will be checked on the upfit.


Approved By: ____________________________________________________________________


MECKLENBURG COUNTY


CODE




Subject: Shell with Core Requirements - Mechanical

Effective Date: May 4, 2000

Prepared/Revision Date: December 2018

POLICY:

CORE FACILITIES (Def.) =A space, which contains adequate plumbing fixtures for the floor and is fully handicap accessible. Multi-Story (Central HVAC): Mechanical systems installed during the “SHELL w/CORE” phase shall consist of the supply/return duct, HVAC equipment, gas piping, bathroom exhaust, and water heater flue installed within the core and may include major trunk duct systems to tenant spaces. “SHELL w/CORE” shall not include branch duct systems to diffusers within tenant spaces. Single Story: Mechanical systems installed during the “SHELL w/CORE” phase is limited to the supply/return duct, HVAC equipment, gas piping, bathroom exhaust, and water heater flue installed within and limited to the CORE space. NO HVAC EQUIPMENT, FLUES, OR GAS PIPING ABOVE GRADE designed to serve any space/s other than the “CORE” will be allowed during the “SHELL w/CORE” phase of construction. The Mechanical Code Administrator may allow exceptions on a case by case basis. Exceptions:

1. Buildings utilizing a central HVAC system may stub trunk duct into future tenant space/s and duct SHALL terminate at the VAV box or cap for future tenant upfit work/permit.

2. Where there is the need to provide a shell structure with a conditioned corridor and or elevator/s and without core restrooms (provided within tenant spaces), the designer shall designate the submittal “Shell with Core, NO RESTROOMS”.

3. RTUs or Unit heaters may be utilized for freeze protection where sprinklers are installed. Gas piping shall be limited to the RTUs or Unit Heaters only. Gas piping

shall be supplied by one meter only, controlled by the landlord/management company. If RTUs are utilized, ductwork shall be limited to the depth of the roof assembly or length of the shaft; and a 4 ft radius from the penetration for distribution. A set thermostat shall be used limiting the temperature to less than 50 degrees. The mechanical review will be limited to the gas piping and venting, ventilation will be checked on the upfit.


Approved By: ____________________________________________________________________


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