G49-01 Ordinance No. G49-01
AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING CHAPTER 16.32 OF THE
ELGIN MUNICIPAL CODE, 1976, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED
"HEATING, VENTILATING AND AIR CONDITIONING CODE"
WHEREAS, the City of Elgin may adopt by reference any published compilation of rules
and regulations prepared by a nationally recognized technical trade or service association
pursuant to the provisions of Article 1, Division 3 of the Illinois Municipal Code (65 ILCS 5/1-
3-1 et seq.); and
WHEREAS, the International Mechanical Code 2000 establishes minimum regulations
for mechanical systems using prescriptive and performance-related provisions; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Elgin has determined it is necessary and
desirable to adopt the International Mechanical Code 2000 as published by the International
Code Council, Inc., with the additions, insertions, deletions and changes prescribed in this
ordinance; and
WHEREAS, one copy of the International Mechanical Code 2000 has been on file with
the City Clerk for more than thirty days preceding the passage of this ordinance, in accordance
with Section 1-3-2 of the Illinois Municipal Code (65 ILCS 5/1-3-2).
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ELGIN, ILLINOIS:
Section 1. That Chapter 16.32, of the Elgin Municipal Code, 1976, as amended, be and is
hereby amended to read as follows:
"16.32.010 ADOPTED; EXCEPTIONS:
That a certain document, one (1) copy of which is on file in the office of the City Clerk of
the City of Elgin, being marked and designated as the International Mechanical Code
2000, as published by the International Code Council, Inc., be and is hereby adopted as
and shall be known as the Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning Code of the City of
Elgin for regulating the design, construction, quality of materials, erection, installation,
alteration, repair, location, relocation, replacement, addition to, use or maintenance of
mechanical systems; and each and all of the regulations, provisions, penalties, conditions
and terms of said International Mechanical Code 2000 are hereby referred to, adopted,
and made a part hereof, as if fully set out in this ordinance, with the additions, insertions,
deletions and other changes prescribed in this chapter.
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16.32.020 ADDITIONS, INSERTIONS AND CHANGES:
The International Mechanical Code 2000 is amended and revised in the following
respects:
Section 101.1, entitled Title, shall be amended to read as follows:
These regulations shall be known as the Heating, Ventilating and Air
Conditioning Code of the City of Elgin, hereinafter referred to as this code.
Section 109, entitled Means of Appeal, shall be amended to read as follows:
Appeals from the decision of the code official shall be made in accordance with
the provisions set forth in Chapter 3.60 of the Elgin Municipal Code, 1976, as
amended.
Section 401.2, entitled Ventilation Required, shall be amended to read as follows:
Every occupied space shall be ventilated by natural means in accordance with
Section 402 of this chapter or by mechanical means in accordance with Section
403 of this chapter. Buildings with floor areas of 10,000 square feet or greater
shall be required to submit a ventilation schedule with the mechanical prints and
other construction documents. The required ventilation schedule shall incorporate
the required outdoor air rates specified in Table 403.3
Section 403.2.2, entitled Transfer Air, shall be amended to read as follows:
Except where recirculation from such spaces is prohibited by Table 403.3 of this
chapter, air transferred from occupied spaces is not prohibited from serving as
makeup air for required exhaust systems in such spaces as kitchens, baths, toilet
rooms, elevators and smoking lounges. The amount of transfer air and exhaust air
shall be sufficient to provide the flow rates as specified in Sections 403.3 and
403.3.1 of this chapter. the required outdoor air rates specified in Table 403.3 of
this chapter shall be introduced directly into such spaces or into the occupied
spaces from which air is transferred or a combination or both. The temperature
differential between ventilation air and the air in the conditioned space shall not
exceed 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Exception: Ventilation air that is part of the air conditioning system.
Section 403.3, entitled Ventilation Air, shall be amended to read as follows:
Ventilation systems shall be designed to have the capacity to supply the minimum
outdoor airflow rate determined in accordance with Table 403.3 of this chapter
based on the occupancy of the space and the occupant load or other parameter as
stated therein. The occupant load utilized for design of the ventilation system
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shall not be less than the number determined from the estimated maximum
occupant load rate indicated in Table 403.3 of this chapter. Ventilation rates for
occupancies not represented in Table 403.3 of this chapter 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.
The temperature differential between ventilation air and the air in the conditioned
space shall not exceed 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Ventilation air that is part of the air
conditioning system is not required to be with in 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Exception: The occupant load is not required to be determined, based on the
estimated maximum occupant load rate indicated in Table 403.3 of this chapter
where approved statistical data document the accuracy of an alternate anticipated
occupant density.
Section 602.2.1, entitled Materials Exposed Within Plenums, shall be amended to read as
follows:
Supply air systems. Smoke detectors shall be installed in the supply air systems
with a design capacity greater than 2,000 CFM (0.94 m3/S), in the supply air duct
or plenum downstream of any heating coils, cooling coils or fans and prior to any
take offs or divisions in the duct.
Exception: Smoke detectors are not required in the supply air system where the space served by
the air distribution system is protected by a system of area smoke detectors in accordance with
the International Building Code 2000. The area smoke detector system shall comply with
Section 606.4 of this chapter.
Section 602.3, entitled Stud Cavity and Joist Space Plenums, shall be amended to read as
follows:
Stud wall cavities and the spaces between solid floor foists to be utilized as air
plenums shall comply with the following conditions:
1. Such cavities or spaces shall not be utilized as a plenum for supply air.
2. Such cavities or spaces shall not be part of a required fire resistance-rated
assembly.
3. Stud wall cavities shall not convey air from more than one floor level or
more than one room.
4. Stud wall cavities and joist space plenums shall comply with the floor
penetration protection requirements of the International Building Code.
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5. Stud wall cavities and joist space plenums shall be isolated from adjacent
concealed spaces by approved fire blocking as required in the
International Building Code.
Table 603.3, entitled Duct Construction Minimum Sheet Metal Thickness for Single
Dwelling Units, shall be amend to read as follows:
Duct size Galvanized
Gage No.
Round duct
6" diameter or less 30 GA
6" - 14" diameter 28 GA
over 14" in diameter 26 GA
Rectangular ducts
13" or less 26 GA
14 - 30" 24 GA
Over 30" per SMACNA Standards
(Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors'National Association,Inc.)
Section 603.4.1, entitled Gypsum Ducts, shall be amended to read as follows:
The use of gypsum boards to form air shafts (ducts) shall be limited to return air
systems where the air temperatures do not exceed 95° F (35° C) and the gypsum
board surface temperature is maintained above the airstream dew-point
temperature. Air ducts formed by gypsum boards shall not be incorporated in air-
handling systems utilizing evaporative coolers.
Section 603.5.1.1, entitled Duct Length, shall be amended to read as follows:
Flexible air ducts shall not exceed ten (10) feet in length.
Section 603.5.2.1, entitled Conductor Length, shall be amended to read as follows:
Flexible air connectors shall be limited in length to ten (10) feet.
Section 606.2.2, entitled Common Supply and Return Air Systems, shall be amended to
read as follows:
Where multiple air-handling systems share common supply or return air ducts or
plenum with a combined design capacity greater than 2,000 CFM (0.94 m3/S) the
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�► supply air system shall be provided with smoke detectors in accordance with
Section 606.2.1 of this chapter.
Exception: Individual smoke detectors shall not be required for each variable air
volume(VAV) zone unit or VAV-type fan-powered terminal unit, provided that
such units do not have an individual design capacity greater than 2,000 CFM
(0.94 m3/S) and will be shut down by activation of one of the following:
A. Smoke detectors required by Sections 606.2.1 and 606.2.3 of this chapter.
B. An approved area smoke detector system located the supply air plenum
serving such units.
C. An area smoke detector system as prescribed in the exception to Section
606.2.1 of this chapter.
In all cases, the smoke detectors shall comply with Sections 606.4 and 606.4.1 of
this chapter.
Section 606.2.3, entitled Return Air Risers, shall be amended to read as follows:
Where return risers serve two or more stories and are part of a return air system
having a design capacity greater than 15,000 CFM (7.1 m3/S), smoke detectors
shall be installed at each story. Such smoke detectors shall be located upstream of
the connection between the return air riser and any air ducts or plenums. Supply
smoke detectors shall be installed in accordance with Section 606.2 of this
chapter.
Section 606.3, entitled Smoke Detection Systems Control, Installation, shall be amended
to read as follows:
Smoke detectors required by this section shall be installed in accordance with
NFPA 72. The required smoke detectors shall be installed to monitor the entire
airflow conveyed by the system including return air, supply air and exhaust or
relief air. Access shall be provided to smoke detectors for inspection and
maintenance.
16.32.030 SUPPLEMENTAL REGULATIONS FOR ONE AND TWO FAMILY
DWELLINGS:
A. Prohibited Return Ducts: No return duct of a mechanical warm air heating
system shall regulate air from one dwelling unit to another dwelling unit.
B. Supply Ducts Required: Supply ducts for dwellings erected on concrete
slabs shall be installed from the furnace to the registers imbedded and
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w anchored in the slab on which the dwelling is erected. In two and three
story dwellings, heating outlets shall be located not more than twelve
inches as measured from the top of the grille to the finished floor in that
portion of a dwelling utilizing concrete slab floors. Exception: Sites with a
high water table, as determined by the building official, may be exempted
from these requirements.
C. Return air and supply air ducts shall be sized in accordance with length
and resistance, maintain minimum airflow quantities, and maintain
maximum velocities of 1000 FPM for main ducts and 600 FPM for branch
ducts.
D. In supply air ducts transition fittings are required in all changes in duct
size. Bullhead fittings are prohibited.
E. Return air for warm air furnaces is required from all rooms except
kitchens, bathrooms and closets. Central returns are prohibited.
F. Flexible nonmetallic ducts and/or connectors shall not be installed in non-
accessible areas of any dwelling.
G. Where air diffusing supply grilles are placed in the baseboard of
immediately above on interior walls, air velocities shall not exceed four
hundred (400) feet per minute, where air grilles are placed on the
baseboard or immediately above or in the floor on exterior walls, air
velocities shall not exceed five hundred (500) feet per minute. Where
placement of grilles is above head level, velocity shall be from five
hundred (500) to seven hundred (700) feet per minute. All living quarters
shall be supplied with at least five (5) air changes per hour one (1) air
change every twelve (12) minutes) and all supply grilles shall be directly
connected to either the heating unit or the main duct line. Velocity at the
return air grille is not to exceed four hundred(400) feet per minute.
H. Wall heaters venting to the exterior and drawing exterior air for
combustion may be installed in existing buildings.
I. Ventless heaters and fireplaces installed after March 11, 1998 shall be
prohibited
J. For a residential air system, the main supply ducts shall be sized for an air
velocity not to exceed one thousand feet per minute. All branch ducts shall
be sized for an air velocity not to exceed six hundred feet per minute.
K. All rooms containing bathtubs, showers, spas and similar bathing fixtures
shall be mechanically exhausted. In addition, all rooms containing toilets
lavatories and similar fixtures shall be mechanically exhausted. The
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exhaust rate from each of these rooms shall be five (5) air changes for
every one (1) hour (one (1) air change every twelve (12) minutes. The
exhaust duct shall be sized not less than the fan discharge size and vent
directly outdoors via a roof cap, wall cap, or wall louver with insect
screens when required.
L. Each level of living space shall have return air CFM at least equal to
supply air CFM.
M. All spaces, that can be isolated by the closing of a door, that are 50 square
feet or larger will require a supply register.
16.32.050 PERMITS REQUIRED:
A. A permit shall be required to install or alter any heating, ventilating or air
conditioning equipment in the city. Application for permits shall be made
to the Department of Code Administration and Development Services.
Upon approval, a permit shall be issued and the fees as required in
Chapter 16.48 of this title shall be paid.
B. Permits for work to be performed under this code shall be issued only to warm air
heating contractors, as defined in Chapter 16.02 of this title, to contractors
doing work based on plans and specifications sealed by an architect or
mechanical engineer, or the owner or lessee-occupant of one-family or
two-family dwellings.
C. A permits shall be required to install or alter any ductless furnace, and any such
installation or alteration shall be in conformity with the regulations as set
forth in the National Fire Protection Association Pamphlet No. 54.
16.32.120 CONFLICTS WITH OTHER PROVISIONS:
When a provision of this Chapter conflicts with any other provision of this Code regulating the
same subject matter, either as presently adopted or to be adopted or amended in the future, the
more stringent or restrictive provision shall apply."
Section 2. That all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of this
ordinance be and are hereby repealed.
Section 3. That this ordinance shall be in full force and effect upon its passage and
publication in the manner provided by law.
E Schock, Mayor
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Presented: July 11 , 2001
Passed: July 11 , 2001
Omnibus Vote : Yeas : 7 Nays : 0
Recorded: July 12 , 2001
Published:
Attest :
Dolonna Mecum, City Clerk
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