Heating and cooling
No Returns in a mechanical room or within 10' of a natural draft appliance
Exceptions: Taking return air from a kitchen is not prohibited where such return air openings serve the kitchen and are located not less than 10 feet (3048 mm) from the cooking appliances. Dedicated forced air systems serving only the garage shall not be prohibited from obtaining return air from the garage.
https://up.codes/viewer/ohio/imc-2015/chapter/6/duct-systems#601.5
Plumbing
Saddle Valve valves are prohibited connections -
605.9 Prohibited Joints and Connections
The following types of joints and connections shall be prohibited:
https://up.codes/viewer/ohio/ipc-2015/chapter/6/water-supply-and-distribution#605.9
Pressure reducing valves (PRV) are required when the incoming water pressure is >80psi -
604.8 Water Pressure-Reducing Valve or Regulator
Where water pressure within a building exceeds 80 psi (552 kPa) static, an approved water pressure-reducing valve conforming to ASSE 1003 or CSA B356 with strainer shall be installed to reduce the pressure in the building water distribution piping to not greater than 80 psi (552 kPa) static.
Exception: Service lines to sill cocks and outside hydrants, and main supply risers where pressure from the mains is reduced to 80 psi (552 kPa) or less at individual fixtures.
https://up.codes/viewer/ohio/ipc-2015/chapter/6/water-supply-and-distribution#604.8
Expansion tank are required with a PRV or a closed loop system (check valve) -
607.3 Thermal Expansion Control
Where a storage water heater is supplied with cold water that passes through a check valve, pressure reducing valve or backflow preventer, a thermal expansion tank shall be connected to the water heater cold water supply pipe at a point that is downstream of all check valves, pressure reducing valves and backflow preventers. Thermal expansion tanks shall be sized in accordance with the tank manufacturer's instructions and shall be sized such that the pressure in the water distribution system shall not exceed that required by Section 604.8.
https://up.codes/viewer/ohio/ipc-2015/chapter/6/water-supply-and-distribution#607.3
Auxiliary drain pans are required when a leaking water heater will cause property damage-
504.7 Required Pan
Where a storage tank-type water heater or a hot water storage tank is installed in a location where water leakage from the tank will cause damage, the tank shall be installed in a galvanized steel pan having a material thickness of not less than 0.0236 inch (0.6010 mm) (No. 24 gage), or other pans approved for such use.
https://up.codes/viewer/ohio/ipc-2015/chapter/5/water-heaters#504.7
Building structure
Mechanical ventilation is required when the home is tighter than 5 air changes per hour at 50 pascals
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. When a blower door test is required by the applicable energy conservation code referenced from Chapter 13 of the building code, or when a blower door test is otherwise performed, and where the air infiltration rate in a dwelling unit is less than 5 air changes per hour when tested with a blower door at a pressure of 0.2-inch water column (50 Pa), the dwelling unit 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.
https://up.codes/viewer/ohio/imc-2015/chapter/4/ventilation#401.2
Exhaust
Masonry chimneys need to be lined
801.16 Flue Lining
Masonry chimneys shall be lined. The lining material shall be compatible with the type of appliance connected, in accordance with the appliance listing and manufacturer's installation instructions. Listed materials used as flue linings shall be installed in accordance with their listings and the manufacturer's instructions.
https://up.codes/viewer/ohio/imc-2015/chapter/8/chimneys-and-vents#801.16
505.2 Makeup Air Required
Automated Make up air is required with any range hood >400cfm
Exhaust hood systems capable of exhausting in excess of 400 cfm (0.19 m3/s) shall be provided with makeup air at a rate approximately equal to the exhaust air rate. Such makeup air systems shall be equipped with a means of closure and shall be automatically controlled to start and operate simultaneously with the exhaust system.
https://up.codes/viewer/ohio/imc-2015/chapter/5/exhaust-systems#505.2
New buildings are to be sealed up to achieve 4 air changes per hour at 50 pascals or less
R402.4.1.2 Testing
The building or dwelling unit shall be tested and verified as having an air leakage rate not exceeding 4 air changes per hour at 50 Pascals. Testing shall be conducted with a blower door at a pressure of 0.2 inches w.g. (50 Pascals). Where required by the code official, testing shall be conducted by an approved third party. A written report of the results of the test shall be signed by the party conducting the test and provided to the code official. Testing shall be performed at any time after creation of all penetrations of the building thermal envelope.
During testing:
https://up.codes/viewer/ohio/oh-energy-code-2017/chapter/RE_4/residential-energy-efficiency#R402.4.1.2
No Returns in a mechanical room or within 10' of a natural draft appliance
- 601.5 Return Air Openings
Return air openings for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems shall comply with all of the following: - Openings shall not be located less than 10 feet (3048 mm) measured in any direction from an open combustion chamber or draft hood of another appliance located in the same room or space.
- Return air shall not be taken from a hazardous or insanitary location or a refrigeration room as defined in this code.
- The amount of return air taken from any room or space shall be not greater than the flow rate of supply air delivered to such room or space.
- Return and transfer openings shall be sized in accordance with the appliance or equipment manufacturer's installation instructions, ACCA Manual D or the design of the registered design professional.
- Return air taken from one dwelling unit shall not be discharged into another dwelling unit.
- Taking return air from a crawl space shall not be accomplished through a direct connection to the return side of a forced air furnace. Transfer openings in the crawl space enclosure shall not be prohibited.
- Return air shall not be taken from a closet, bathroom, toilet room, kitchen, garage, boiler room, furnace room or unconditioned attic.
Exceptions: Taking return air from a kitchen is not prohibited where such return air openings serve the kitchen and are located not less than 10 feet (3048 mm) from the cooking appliances. Dedicated forced air systems serving only the garage shall not be prohibited from obtaining return air from the garage.
https://up.codes/viewer/ohio/imc-2015/chapter/6/duct-systems#601.5
Plumbing
Saddle Valve valves are prohibited connections -
605.9 Prohibited Joints and Connections
The following types of joints and connections shall be prohibited:
- Cement or concrete joints.
- Joints made with fittings not approved for the specific installation.
- Solvent-cement joints between different types of plastic pipe.
- Saddle-type fittings.
https://up.codes/viewer/ohio/ipc-2015/chapter/6/water-supply-and-distribution#605.9
Pressure reducing valves (PRV) are required when the incoming water pressure is >80psi -
604.8 Water Pressure-Reducing Valve or Regulator
Where water pressure within a building exceeds 80 psi (552 kPa) static, an approved water pressure-reducing valve conforming to ASSE 1003 or CSA B356 with strainer shall be installed to reduce the pressure in the building water distribution piping to not greater than 80 psi (552 kPa) static.
Exception: Service lines to sill cocks and outside hydrants, and main supply risers where pressure from the mains is reduced to 80 psi (552 kPa) or less at individual fixtures.
https://up.codes/viewer/ohio/ipc-2015/chapter/6/water-supply-and-distribution#604.8
Expansion tank are required with a PRV or a closed loop system (check valve) -
607.3 Thermal Expansion Control
Where a storage water heater is supplied with cold water that passes through a check valve, pressure reducing valve or backflow preventer, a thermal expansion tank shall be connected to the water heater cold water supply pipe at a point that is downstream of all check valves, pressure reducing valves and backflow preventers. Thermal expansion tanks shall be sized in accordance with the tank manufacturer's instructions and shall be sized such that the pressure in the water distribution system shall not exceed that required by Section 604.8.
https://up.codes/viewer/ohio/ipc-2015/chapter/6/water-supply-and-distribution#607.3
Auxiliary drain pans are required when a leaking water heater will cause property damage-
504.7 Required Pan
Where a storage tank-type water heater or a hot water storage tank is installed in a location where water leakage from the tank will cause damage, the tank shall be installed in a galvanized steel pan having a material thickness of not less than 0.0236 inch (0.6010 mm) (No. 24 gage), or other pans approved for such use.
https://up.codes/viewer/ohio/ipc-2015/chapter/5/water-heaters#504.7
Building structure
Mechanical ventilation is required when the home is tighter than 5 air changes per hour at 50 pascals
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. When a blower door test is required by the applicable energy conservation code referenced from Chapter 13 of the building code, or when a blower door test is otherwise performed, and where the air infiltration rate in a dwelling unit is less than 5 air changes per hour when tested with a blower door at a pressure of 0.2-inch water column (50 Pa), the dwelling unit 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.
https://up.codes/viewer/ohio/imc-2015/chapter/4/ventilation#401.2
Exhaust
Masonry chimneys need to be lined
801.16 Flue Lining
Masonry chimneys shall be lined. The lining material shall be compatible with the type of appliance connected, in accordance with the appliance listing and manufacturer's installation instructions. Listed materials used as flue linings shall be installed in accordance with their listings and the manufacturer's instructions.
https://up.codes/viewer/ohio/imc-2015/chapter/8/chimneys-and-vents#801.16
505.2 Makeup Air Required
Automated Make up air is required with any range hood >400cfm
Exhaust hood systems capable of exhausting in excess of 400 cfm (0.19 m3/s) shall be provided with makeup air at a rate approximately equal to the exhaust air rate. Such makeup air systems shall be equipped with a means of closure and shall be automatically controlled to start and operate simultaneously with the exhaust system.
https://up.codes/viewer/ohio/imc-2015/chapter/5/exhaust-systems#505.2
New buildings are to be sealed up to achieve 4 air changes per hour at 50 pascals or less
R402.4.1.2 Testing
The building or dwelling unit shall be tested and verified as having an air leakage rate not exceeding 4 air changes per hour at 50 Pascals. Testing shall be conducted with a blower door at a pressure of 0.2 inches w.g. (50 Pascals). Where required by the code official, testing shall be conducted by an approved third party. A written report of the results of the test shall be signed by the party conducting the test and provided to the code official. Testing shall be performed at any time after creation of all penetrations of the building thermal envelope.
During testing:
- Exterior windows and doors, fireplace and stove doors shall be closed, but not sealed, beyond the intended weather-stripping or other infiltration control measures;
- Dampers including exhaust, intake, makeup air, backdraft and flue dampers shall be closed, but not sealed beyond intended infiltration control measures;
- Interior doors, if installed at the time of the test, shall be open;
- Exterior doors for continuous ventilation systems and heat recovery ventilators shall be closed and sealed;
- Heating and cooling systems, if installed at the time of the test, shall be turned off; and
- Supply and return registers, if installed at the time of the test, shall be fully open.
https://up.codes/viewer/ohio/oh-energy-code-2017/chapter/RE_4/residential-energy-efficiency#R402.4.1.2
