Enclosed Parking Garage

[Mech]

2009 IMC

Section 404.1 Mechanical ventilation systems for enclosed parking garages shall be permitted to operate intermittently where the system is arranged to operate automatically upon detection of vehicle operation or the presence of occupants by approved automatic detection devices.

Has anyone specified or used an automatic detection device for vehicle operation? If so, which one? Does it work? Does it work well?

Thanks.

 

[mark handler]

Commercial occupancy sensors, and CO2 sensors.

They turn on when someone, or a vehicle enters.

The only way to detect of vehicle operation, is a sound sensor.

 

[klarenbeek]

We've been allowing CO sensors as well, basically the way the 2003 code was written.

 

[Dr. J]

I concur with klarenbeek - CO monitors are the right way. It is CO that is the contaminant of concern. The '03 even had PPM information for the fan initiation setpoints. However this does not meet the words of the code, which requires operation based on the mere presence of occupants. Need a occupancy sensor for that. However, by definition of "approved", "approved automatic detection devices" is anything an AHJ approves. It just seems silly to start a 1.5 cfm/sf system for one guy walking from his car to the elevator.