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  1. M

    Fire Dampers in Duplexes

    I know that if the builder separates the units of a two family dwelling with a 1 hour wall, I do not need to install fire dampers in the ductwork. However, the builder has the option to install rated ceilings in each unit instead of the separation wall. In my experience, anytime I penetrate a...
  2. M

    Smoke ratings and corridors

    Is a conditioned corridor in a multifamily building required to be smoke rated? 3 story, 12 unit building with a single stairwell to the ground level.
  3. M

    Exhaust duct wall caps

    In Florida, we have been running exhaust ducts through the exterior walls where it is sealed to the house wrap or otherwise waterproofed in some manner. After the siding, stucco, or brick is installed, we return and cut the duct off even with the finish and install the wall cap. The cap is...
  4. M

    Should apartments follow the residential energy code?

    Understood but the codes I am looking at are based on occupancy types and not building types. You can have residential spaces in commercial buildings and residential spaces in commercial buildings. The code appears to indicate that residential occupancies should follow the residential side of...
  5. M

    Should apartments follow the residential energy code?

    We work through out the Southeast US and find that different jurisdictions treat apartments as either residential or commercial. I have studied and found what I conclude to be definitive reasons that apartments should be considered residential and follow the residential portion of the energy...
  6. M

    Their attorneys must be laughing all the way to the bank

    This has been going on for years with the first lawsuit in 2017. As a general rule, Upcodes has been winning but in instances where they have found to have crossed the line, they have made corrections to thier site to comply with the rulings.
  7. M

    Fire rated floor register penetration

    Here is the spec sheet the engineer sent.
  8. M

    Fire rated floor register penetration

    VA?
  9. M

    Fire rated floor register penetration

    I agree but the GC is the one insisting that it is a rated assembly. I keep pushing back for the damper specs but I think the engineer is being lazy and not really looking at it. Meanwhile, half of their project is at a standstill.
  10. M

    Fire rated floor register penetration

    I dont know. We have done other builds of this type that dont require the protection
  11. M

    Fire rated floor register penetration

    I'm with you that I've never seen a damper in this application.
  12. M

    Fire rated floor register penetration

    Agreed. I'm trying to get them to understand that.
  13. M

    Fire rated floor register penetration

    We are the contractor. I hold the license.
  14. M

    Fire rated floor register penetration

    The engineer has submitted a drawing that is four townhouse style units. As designed, the walls are supposed to be sufficient to treat each unit as an individual and not require any fire dampers. The GC has stated that walls are not rated as such and fire dampers will be required and the rated...
  15. M

    Corridor A/C

    Florida Building Code 7th edition 2020 There is no other ventilation in the corridors except for the ducts from the apartments. There is an outside air duct that appears to be sized to make up for the air supplied to the corridors (4 inch) but there is no allowance for the bath exhaust fans...
  16. M

    Mechanical Access - "Permanent Construction"

    Doors and deadbolts are the way to go.. The factory access panels start looking rough in no time.
  17. M

    Corridor A/C

    12 unit, 3 story apartment building, 4 units per floor. The engineer has placed a small duct from three of the four apartments into the corridor for conditioning. They show fire dampers at each penetration which probably should be fire/smoke dampers. This duct placement almost guarantees...
  18. M

    CO/NO2 in parking garage - Florida

    I was asked by our rep if we were having any problems in Florida becasue they had been getting push back from some juricdictions. I agree that 304.2 should allow us to follow the manufacturer's instructions but I wasnt sure if there was anything else that could tip that the other way. I dont...
  19. M

    CO/NO2 in parking garage - Florida

    The brand we use recommends both sensors at 60". They also make a combo sensor which detects both gases for mounting at that height. CO doesnt necessarily rise or fall and NO2 falls and tends to collect in low lying spaces.
  20. M

    CO/NO2 in parking garage - Florida

    The IMC allows for intermittent control of a parking garage ventilation system if a CO/NO2 system is installed. Florida amended that code section to specify that the NO2 sensor be mounted 12 inches below the ceiling. This amendment favors a specific manufacturer who's installation instructions...
  21. M

    Class 2 wiring

    Pardon my ignorance as I am just an equipment installer that only works on new construction projects. I am starting to see more jurisdictions require that we pull a low voltage permit for our Class 2 thermostat wire for our HVAC installations. When I asked for documentation to pass this...
  22. M

    New refrigerants and linesets.

    You weren't kidding about the rewrite for 2021. The line requirements moved to 1109.4 where copper pipe is specified for those refrigerants.
  23. M

    New refrigerants and linesets.

    Group A2 are what the new refrigerants are classified. 1107.5.1 specifies that Schedule 80 steel (not 40, my mistake) "shall be used for Group A2...liquid lines for sizes 1.5 inches and smaller" 1107.5.3 seems to be just a specification for copper when used, it does not call out where its use...
  24. M

    New refrigerants and linesets.

    Daikin/Goodman has chosen R32 for their new refrigerant while Carrier has chosen R454b as thier new refrigerant. Both of these are Group A2 refrigerants. Per 2018 IMC 1107.5.1, these refrigerants will require schedule 40 carbon steel liquid lines. Coming from the multi-family side of the...
  25. M

    Air Handler Shutdown

    I’m thinking that may be it.
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