CA Bathroom Exhaust Fan

[Mica]

Hello - My inspector San Diego, California it telling me bathroom exhaust fans are required to be on a separate circuit (from bathroom lights for instance). Please confirm and/or can you give me the CEC # that covers this question.

Thanks

 

[ICE]

You might find the answer here.

California Electrical Code:

210.11(C)(3)
Bathroom Branch Circuits. In addition to the number of branch circuits required by other parts of this section, one or more 120-volt, 20-ampere branch circuit shall be provided to supply bathroom(s) receptacle outlet(s) required by 210.52(D) and any countertop and similar work surface receptacle outlets. Such circuits shall have no other outlets.

Exception: Where the 20-ampere circuit supplies a single bathroom,outlets for other equipment within the same bathroom shall be permitted to be supplied in accordance with 210.23(A)(1) and (A)(2).

210.23 Permissible Loads, Multiple-Outlet Branch Circuits. In no case shall the load exceed the branch-circuit ampere rating.A branch circuit supplying two or more outlets or receptacles shall supply only the loads specified according to its size as specified in 210.23(A) through (D) and as summarized in210.24 and Table 210.24.

(A) 15- and 20-Ampere Branch Circuits.
A 15- or 20-ampere branch circuit shall be permitted to supply lighting units or other utilization equipment, or a combination of both, and shall comply with 210.23(A) (1) and (A) (2).

Exception: The small-appliance branch circuits, laundry branch circuits, and bathroom branch circuits required in a dwelling unit(s) by210.11(C)(1), (C)(2), and (C)(3) shall supply only the receptacle outlets specified in that section.

(1) Cord-and-Plug-Connected Equipment Not Fastened in Place. The rating of any one cord-and-plug-connected utilization equipment not fastened in place shall not exceed 80 percent of the branch-circuit ampere rating.
(2) Utilization Equipment Fastened in Place. The total rating of utilization equipment fastened in place, other than lumin-aires, shall not exceed 50 percent of the branch-circuit ampere rating where lighting units, cord-and-plug-connected utilization equipment not fastened in place, or both, are also supplied.

 

[steveray]

Hello - My inspector San Diego, California it telling me bathroom exhaust fans are required to be on a separate circuit (from bathroom lights for instance). Please confirm and/or can you give me the CEC # that covers this question.

Thanks

Well your inspector should be giving you that....Generally, they are on a different circuit than the receptacle, but don't necessarily "have" to be per the EX to 210.11C3

 

[mark handler]

Well your inspector should be giving you that....Generally, they are on a different circuit than the receptacle, but don't necessarily "have" to be per the EX to 210.11C3

CEC 210.11 (3) Branch Circuits Required; Bathroom Branch Circuits
In addition to the number of branch circuits required by other parts of this section, one or more 120-volt, 20-ampere branch circuit shall be provided to supply bathroom(s) receptacle outlet(s) required by 210.52(D) and any countertop and similar work surface receptacle outlets. Such circuits shall have no other outlets.
Exception: Where the 20-ampere circuit supplies a single bathroom, outlets for other equipment within the same bathroom shall be permitted to be supplied in accordance with 210.23(A)(1) and (A)(2).

 

[Yikes]

One exception to the comments above, which may or may not apply to the OP:

CalGreen and other regulations (ASHRAE 62.2, LEED, CA T-24) for new dwellings can require “whole house indoor air quality (IAQ)” ventilation. This is because newer structures are so well insulated and sealed that the air inside can become stale. In response, some mechanical designers will specify multi-speed bath fans, where the fan runs continuously at a very low speed to draw air through the house, then increases speed when it is switched on high by a user, or when a humidistat detects increased humidity in the bathroom.

In this instance, the fan requires its own separate disconnect, so that it won’t be shut off (code violation) when the breaker is tripped on other outlets or lights. Some engineers will simply give it its own dedicated breaker. Others will provide a secondary shutoff switch within the bathroom, with a clumsy sign that says something like: “fan disconnect: to be used only for maintenance and in event of poor exterior air quality”.

 

[ICE]

This is because newer structures are so well insulated and sealed that the air inside can become stale.

So the idea is to pull air into the bathroom, presumably under the door.... from the entire dwelling. That uses electricity and I wonder how often the fan will malfunction. I wouldn't want an appliance operating when nobody is home. And I certainly wouldn't want a fan running 24/7. Another question is where does the makeup air get in.

 

[Yikes]

Yes, and don’t get me started on the geniuses who decided we need to both super-seal a structure and then poke a hole in it and install a powered fan because it is so well sealed…

 

[wwhitney]

Yes, and don’t get me started on the geniuses who decided we need to both super-seal a structure and then poke a hole in it and install a powered fan because it is so well sealed…

When executed properly, in most (all?) climates this strategy will save energy over having a leaky structure.

And which you would rather breathe, air that has randomly infiltrated through the various voids and openings in the structure, passing through who knows what materials, or air that can has been intentionally filtered?

Cheers, Wayne

 

[ICE]

air that can has been intentionally filtered?

? Where is the filter ?

 

[wwhitney]

? Where is the filter ?

Sorry, that was slightly out of context. With an "exhaust only" fresh air strategy using a bathroom exhaust fan, there isn't one. One of the reasons that's not a great strategy. With an ERV/HRV, you have a filter on the incoming fresh air.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[Yikes]

Wayne, I'm going to stray a bit off-topic here, but I've been doing affordable housing in CA for 3 decades. In the 1990's, we could build an affordable apartment at prevailing wage for under $75k/ unit. Now we are closing in on nearly 5-10 times that amount in construction cost alone (excluding land value), much of it due to well-intentioned initiatives that incrementally add cost on their own, but taken together result in "death by a thousand cuts".

Meanwhile, we have a huge problem with homelessness, and the environmental impact of campfires, gas stoves, homeless-related wildfires, sanitation / stormwater quality, public safety and quality of life far outweighs the incremental benefits of energy savings especially in mild southern California climates like San Diego.

If I had to choose, I would much rather use the money to build 200-500% more leaky-air dwellings to 1990s California standards than to chase down incremental energy savings like when we super insulate and seal the unit (QII) then add a mandatory fresh air transfer duct because we don't trust people to open the window if they want fresh air. (Or even more expensive, when a design review board won't allow air intake grilles on an exterior facade, bring down fresh air intakes in fire-rated shafts from the roof level, resulting in costs for the intake, the shaft, the roof accessory, and loss of roof space for state-mandated solar PV.)

 

[ICE]

Sorry, that was slightly out of context. With an "exhaust only" fresh air strategy using a bathroom exhaust fan, there isn't one. One of the reasons that's not a great strategy. With an ERV/HRV, you have a filter on the incoming fresh air.

Cheers, Wayne

Here is some information on ERV/HRV. Note that the least costly was $450. Of course, there might be better options but my guess is that the typical installation will be a much less expensive fan. It is obvious that a fan with no provision for makeup air will pull air through attics, electrical outlets, window frames, etc. It's all a matter of how well the building is sealed.

"Balanced Ventilation
Tightly built homes and buildings minimize passive air leaks. An exhaust-only fan may create negative pressure. WhisperComfort solves this by supplying air to replace exhausted air, helping to balance air pressure within the home. Panasonic WhisperComfort spot ERV uses two 4 inch ducts - one to exhaust stale air and the other to supply fresh air from outdoors. Its low rate, continuous run ensures chemicals such as volatile organic compounds (VOC's) and other pollutants from cleaning fluids and building materials are vented out and replaced with fresh air."

VOC's? I guess they didn't get the memo. California has an extreme aversion to VOC's. Do you remember how a new house used to smell?... especially the carpet. That's not good for you. Causes obesity. Speaking of obesity, there's a TV commercial for a weight control drug that has a side effect of permanent hearing loss. No shlt, they tell you that during the commercial. They don't want you signing about it later. We can risk that but a new house has to smell.... well since the human brain can't conjure up a memory of a smell, you'll just have to visit one.

 

[mark handler]

One exception to the comments above, which may or may not apply to the OP:

CalGreen and other regulations (ASHRAE 62.2, LEED, CA T-24) for new dwellings can require “whole house indoor air quality (IAQ)” ventilation. This is because newer structures are so well insulated and sealed that the air inside can become stale. In response, some mechanical designers will specify multi-speed bath fans, where the fan runs continuously at a very low speed to draw air through the house, then increases speed when it is switched on high by a user, or when a humidistat detects increased humidity in the bathroom.

In this instance, the fan requires its own separate disconnect, so that it won’t be shut off (code violation) when the breaker is tripped on other outlets or lights. Some engineers will simply give it its own dedicated breaker. Others will provide a secondary shutoff switch within the bathroom, with a clumsy sign that says something like: “fan disconnect: to be used only for maintenance and in event of poor exterior air quality”.

A light and A fan can be on the same circuit and on separate switches/controls.

The Circuit breaker should not be used to turn either on/off.

 

[Yikes]

A light and A fan can be on the same circuit and on separate switches/controls.

The Circuit breaker should not be used to turn either on/off.

Mark, when it is also used as a whole hose fan for IAQ compliance, the switch is considered a type of disconnect, to be used only when servicing the fan. They typically don’t want to give the resident the opportunity to shut it off on a convenience basis. That’s why engineers will sometimes give it its own dedicated breaker, rather than a switch inside the bathroom.

That position has softened in recent years as wildfires have generated unhealthy outdoor air, and there was a reason for shutoff besides just maintenance service alone. For a while engineers were adding an in-bathroom disconnect switch, but they were locating it up near the ceiling to emphasize it was not for everyday use. Then they realized this was a violation of accessibility codes and regulations. Now they are putting the switch at accessible height, but with that super long warning sign.

 

[Kalifornian]

I know this is old, but I didn't see the correct answer to your question here. It's not in CEC because CEC is life safety an this is not a life safety requirement. CEnC and GBSC are for efficiency, not life safety. This requirement ain't gonna kill anyone any time soon if you mess it up, therefore you will find it in CEnC and/or GBSC.
2022 California Green Building Standards Code (GBSC) 4.506.1 requires the humidistat on the bathroom vent fan when there is a tub or shower. Note 2 addresses "lighting integral to bathroom exhaust fans" (i.e. combination units with a light & fan) and directs to California Energy Code.
2022 California Energy Code (CEnC) 150.0(k)(2)(E) requires occupant sensors on at least 1 light in the bathroom.
2022 California Energy Code (CEnC) 150.0(k)(2)(B) says you can't bypass occupant sensors when required. A humidistat could potentially do this if the bathroom is not occupied, but is humid enough to trigger the vent fan. Hence they can't be on the same switch per that section.
2022 California Energy Code (CEnC) 150.0(k)(2)(C) specifies lighting controls must be per 110.9. 110.9 (b)(4) has more specific requirements for occupancy sensors that having the 2 on the same switch would also likely violate.


All that being said, your answer is specifically 2022 California Energy Code (CEnC) 150.0(k)(2)(G)- Independent Controls. Integrated lighting of exhaust fans shall be controlled independently from the fans.
Those are the technical and literal reasons you have to separate the light from the fan in integral combo units.