Virginia Law

A. Change Section 2801.1 of the IBC to read:

2801.1 Scope. Mechanical appliances, equipment and systems shall be constructed and installed in accordance with this chapter, the IMC and the IFGC. Masonry chimneys, fireplaces and barbecues shall comply with the IMC and Chapter 21 of this code.

Exception: This code shall not govern the construction of water heaters, boilers and pressure vessels to the extent which they are regulated by the Virginia Boiler and Pressure Vessel Regulations (16VAC25-50). However, the building official may require the owner of a structure to submit documentation to substantiate compliance with those regulations.

B. Add Section 2801.1.1 to the IBC to read:

2801.1.1 Required heating in dwelling units. Heating facilities shall be required in every dwelling unit or portion thereof which is to be rented, leased or let on terms, either expressed or implied, to furnish heat to the occupants thereof. The heating facilities shall be capable of maintaining the room temperature at 65°F (18°C) during the period from October 15 to May 1 during the hours between 6:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. of each day and not less than 60°F (16°C) during other hours when measured at a point three feet (914 mm) above the floor and three feet (914 mm) from the exterior walls. The capability of the heating system shall be based on the outside design temperature required for the locality by this code.

C. Add Section 2801.1.2 to the IBC to read:

2801.1.2 Required heating in nonresidential structures. Heating facilities shall be required in every enclosed occupied space in nonresidential structures. The heating facilities shall be capable of producing sufficient heat during the period from October 1 to May 15 to maintain a temperature of not less than 65°F (18°C) during all working hours. The required room temperature shall be measured at a point three feet (914 mm) above the floor and three feet (914 mm) from the exterior walls.

Processing, storage and operation areas that require cooling or special temperature conditions and areas in which persons are primarily engaged in vigorous physical activities are exempt from these requirements.

D. Add Section 2801.1.3 to the IBC to read:

2801.1.3 Changes to the IMC. The following changes shall be made to the IMC:

1. Change Section 401.2 of the IMC to read:

401.2 Ventilation required. Every occupied space shall be ventilated by natural means in accordance with Section 402 or by mechanical means in accordance with Section 403. Group R dwelling units shall be ventilated by mechanical means in accordance with Section 403. Ambulatory care facilities and Group I-2 occupancies shall be ventilated by mechanical means in accordance with Section 407.

2. Change Section 403.3.1.1 of the IMC to read:

403.3.1.1 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. In each occupiable space, the ventilation system shall be designed to deliver the required rate of outdoor airflow to the breathing zone. 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 403.3.1.1. Ventilation rates for occupancies not represented in Table 403.3.1.1 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 and other designated areas where smoking is permitted, the ventilation rates in Table 403.3.1.1 are based on the absence of smoking in occupiable spaces.

Exception: The occupant load is not required to be determined based on the estimated maximum occupant load rate indicated in Table 403.3.1.1 where approved statistical data document the accuracy of an alternate anticipated occupant density.

3. Add the following rows to Table 403.3.1.1 of the IMC to read:

i. For spaces that are not located in an ambulatory care facility or clinic, outpatient as defined in Chapter 2 of the VCC.

4. Change Section 504.8.2 of the IMC to read:

504.8.2 Duct installation. Exhaust ducts shall be supported at 4-foot (1219 mm) intervals and secured in place. The insert end of the duct shall extend into the adjoining duct or fitting in the direction of airflow. Ducts shall not be joined with screws or similar fasteners that protrude into the inside of the duct.

Where dryer exhaust ducts are enclosed in wall or ceiling cavities, such cavities shall allow the installation of the duct without deformation.

5. Change item 2 of Section 504.10 to read:

2. Dampers shall be prohibited in the exhaust duct. Penetrations of the shaft and ductwork shall be protected in accordance with Section 607.5.5, Exception 1.

6. Change Exception 1 of Section 505.3 of the IMC to read:

1. In Group R buildings, where installed in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions and where mechanical or natural ventilation is otherwise provided in accordance with Chapter 4, listed and labeled ductless range hoods shall not be required to discharge to the outdoors.

7. Change item 2 in Section 505.5 to read:

2. Penetrations of the shaft and ductwork shall be protected in accordance with Section 607.5.5.

8. Change Section 505.6 of the IMC to read:

505.6 Other than Group R. In other than Group R occupancies, where electric domestic cooking appliances are utilized for domestic purposes, domestic range hoods shall be permitted for such appliances. Hoods and exhaust systems for such electric domestic cooking appliances shall be in accordance with Sections 505.2 and 505.4. In other than Group R occupancies, where fuel-fired domestic cooking appliances are utilized for domestic purposes, a Type I or Type II hood shall be provided as required for the type of appliances and processes in accordance with Section 507.1.

9. Change Section 506.5 of the IMC to read:

506.5 Exhaust equipment. Exhaust equipment, including fans and grease reservoirs, shall comply with Sections 506.5.1 through 506.5.6 and shall be of an approved design or shall be listed for the application.

10. Change Section 506.5.2, including Items 1, 3, and 5 of the IMC to read: (Items not shown remain the same.)

506.5.2 Pollution control units. The installation of pollution control units shall be in accordance with all of the following:

1. Pollution control units shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 8782.

3. Bracing and supports for pollution control units shall be of noncombustible material securely attached to the structure and designed to carry gravity and seismic loads within the stress limitations of the International Building Code.

5. Clearances shall be maintained between the pollution control unit and combustible material in accordance with the listing.

11. Change Section 510.7.1.1 of the IMC to read:

510.7.1.1 Shaft penetrations. Hazardous exhaust ducts that penetrate fire-resistance-rated shafts shall comply with Section 713.11 of the International Building Code.

12. Change Section 607.5.5 of the IMC to read:

607.5.5 Shaft enclosures. Shaft enclosures that are permitted to be penetrated by ducts and air transfer openings shall be protected with approved fire and smoke dampers installed in accordance with their listing.

Exceptions:

1. Fire and smoke dampers are not required where steel exhaust subducts extend at least 22 inches (559 mm) vertically in exhaust shafts, provided there is a continuous airflow upward to the outside.

2. Fire dampers are not required where penetrations are tested in accordance with ASTM E119 as part of the fire-resistance-rated assembly.

3. Fire and smoke dampers are not required where ducts are used as part of an approved smoke control system in accordance with Section 909 of the International Building Code.

4. Fire and smoke dampers are not required where the penetrations are in parking garage exhaust or supply shafts that are separated from other building shafts by not less than two-hour fire-resistance-rated construction.

5. Smoke dampers are not required where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 of the International Building Code.

13. Add Section 607.6.2.2 to the IMC to read:

607.6.2.2 Equipment shutdown. Where ceiling radiation dampers are listed as static dampers, the HVAC equipment shall be effectively shut down to stop the airflow prior to the damper closing using one of the following methods:

1. A duct detector installed in the return duct.

2. An area smoke detector interlocked with the HVAC equipment.

3. A listed heat sensor installed in the return duct.

E. Add Section 2801.1.4 to the IBC to read:

2801.1.4 Changes to the IFGC. The following changes shall be made to the IFGC:

1. Change Section 301.1 of the IFGC to read:

301.1 Scope. This code shall apply to the installation of fuel gas piping systems, fuel gas utilization equipment, and related accessories as follows:

1. Coverage of piping systems shall extend from the point of delivery to the connections with gas utilization equipment. (See "point of delivery.")

2. Systems with an operating pressure of 125 psig (862 kPa gauge) or less.

Piping systems for gas-air mixtures within the flammable range with an operating pressure of 10 psig (69 kPa gauge) or less.

LP-Gas piping systems with an operating pressure of 20 psig (140 kPa gauge) or less.

3. Piping systems requirements shall include design, materials, components, fabrication, assembly, installation, testing and inspection.

4. Requirements for gas utilization equipment and related accessories shall include installation, combustion and ventilation air and venting.

This code shall not apply to the following:

1. Portable LP-Gas equipment of all types that are not connected to a fixed fuel piping system.

2. Installation of farm equipment such as brooders, dehydrators, dryers, and irrigation equipment.

3. Raw material (feedstock) applications except for piping to special atmosphere generators.

4. Oxygen-fuel gas cutting and welding systems.

5. Industrial gas applications using gases such as acetylene and acetylenic compounds, hydrogen, ammonia, carbon monoxide, oxygen, and nitrogen.

6. Petroleum refineries, pipeline compressor or pumping stations, loading terminals, compounding plants, refinery tank farms, and natural gas processing plants.

7. Integrated chemical plants or portions of such plants where flammable or combustible liquids or gases are produced by chemical reactions or used in chemical reactions.

8. LP-Gas installations at utility gas plants.

9. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) installations.

10. Fuel gas piping in power and atomic energy plants.

11. Proprietary items of equipment, apparatus, or instruments such as gas generating sets, compressors, and calorimeters.

12. LP-Gas equipment for vaporization, gas mixing, and gas manufacturing.

13. Temporary LP-Gas piping for buildings under construction or renovation that is not to become part of the permanent piping system.

14. Installation of LP-Gas systems for railroad switch heating.

15. Installation of LP-Gas and compressed natural gas (CNG) systems on vehicles.

16. Except as provided in Section 401.1.1, gas piping, meters, gas pressure regulators, and other appurtenances used by the serving gas supplier in the distribution of gas, other than undiluted LP-Gas.

17. Building design and construction, except as specified herein.

2. Change Sections 310.1 and 310.2 of the IFGC to read:

310.1 Pipe and tubing. Each above-group portion of a gas piping system that is likely to become energized shall be electrically continuous and bonded to an effective ground-fault current path. Gas piping shall be considered to be bonded where it is connected to appliances that are connected to the equipment grounding conductor of the circuit supplying that appliance. Corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) piping systems listed with an arc resistant jacket or coating system in accordance with ANSI LC 1/CSA 6.26 shall comply with this section. Where any CSST segments of a piping system are not listed with an arc resistant jacket or coating system in accordance with ANSI LC 1/CSA 6.26, Section 310.2 shall apply.

310.2 CSST without arc resistant jacket or coating system. CSST gas piping systems and piping systems containing one or more segments of CSST not listed with an arc resistant jacket or coating system in accordance with ANSI LC 1/CSA 6.26 shall be bonded to the electrical service grounding electrode system or, where provided, the lightning protection electrode system and shall comply with Sections 310.2.1 through 310.2.5.

3. Add Section 404.11.6 to the IFGC to read:

404.11.6 Coating application. Joints in gas piping systems shall not be coated prior to testing and approval.

4. Change Section 614.8.2 of the IFGC to read:

614.8.2 Duct installation. Exhaust ducts shall be supported at 4-foot (1219 mm) intervals and secured in place. The insert end of the duct shall extend into the adjoining duct or fitting in the direction of airflow. Ducts shall not be joined with screws or similar fasteners that protrude into the inside of the duct.

Where dryer exhaust ducts are enclosed in wall or ceiling cavities, such cavities shall allow the installation of the duct without deformation.

5. Change the following referenced standard in Chapter 8 of the IFGC: