HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 10744
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DEPARTMENT OF
ORDINANCE NO. v ~ DEVELOPMENT
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE 1988 EDITION OF THE UNIFORM
MECHANICAL CODE AS AMENDED, REGULATING THE DESIGN,
QUALITY OF MATERIALS, CONSTRUCTION, LOCATION, AND
MAINTENANCE OF HEATING, COMFORT COOLING AND VENTILATING
SYSTEMS IN THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS; PROVIDING FOR
THE ISSUANCE OF PERMITS AND COLLECTION OF FEES THERE-
FOR, PROVIDING FOR THE INSPECTION OF BUILDINGS; PRO-
VIDING PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATIONS THEREOF, PROVIDING
A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF
CONFLICTING ORDINANCES AND CODE SECTIONS; PROVIDING A
SAVINGS CLAUSE, AUTHORIZING PUBLICATION IN PAMPHLET
FORri, DIRECTING PUBLICATION OF THE CAPTION, PENALTY
CLAUSE AND EFFECTIVE DATE; DIRECTING THE ENGROSSMENT
AND ENROLLMENT OF THE CAPTION AND PENALTY CLAUSE AND
THE FILING OF THIS ORDINANCE; AND NAMING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
WHEREAS, it is deemed necessary to provide minimum standards to regu-
late the design, construction, materials, location and maintenance of heat-
ing, comfort cooling, refrigeration, ventilating and exhaust systems and
other miscellaneous heat producing appliances within the City to protect
and promote the public safety, health and welfare, and,
WHEREAS, the present codes are in need of amendments in order to
protect and promote the public safety, health and welfare under modern
conditions; and,
WHEREAS, the Mechanical Board of Appeals of the City of Fort Worth has
recommended the adoption of the 1988 edition of the Uniform Mechanical Code
of the International Conference of Building Officials, with certain amend-
ments; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS
SECTION 1.
That the 198$ edition of the Uniform Mechanical Code of the Inter-
national Conference of Building Officials, appended hereto marked Exhibit
°`A°' and incorporated herein by reference for all purposes, as the same is
hereby amended by amendments appended hereto and marked Exhibit "B", is
hereby adopted as the Mechanical Code of the City of Fort Worth, Texas,
from Che effective date hereof.
SECTION 207 (added) ; ,~:a ~ ,
Method of Filing Appeal
Sec 207(a) Right of Appeal. Any person, firm, company or corpora-
tion aggrieved by any decisions of the Building Official under this Chapter
may appeal such decision or order to the Board as set out herein
(b) Appeal Procedure. Appeals to the Board must be filed in
writing within thirty (30) days from date of the decision or order appealed
from and shall be filed in duplicate with the Secretary of the Board Such
notice shall contain appropriate reference to the decision or order
appealed from as well as the grounds of the appeal It shall be the duty
of the Secretary to notify the Chairman of the Board of appeals filed and
the details thereof
(c) Appeal Fee. At the time of .filing an appeal, the appellant
shall be required to pay an appeal fee of fifty dollars ($50 00)
(d) Records. The Secretary shall transmit to the Board all rele-
vant records and data upon which the appeal was taken
(e) Hearing. The Board shall fix a reasonable time, not to exceed
thirty (30) days, for the hearing of an appeal, giving notice in writing to
the parties in interest and shall reach its decision within a reasonable
time thereafter Parties may appear before the Board in person, by agents,
or by attorney. The Board may require additional data and tests necessary
for adequate decision of the appeal
SECTION 208 (added)
Code Change Recommendations by Board
Sec 208 The Board shall review all proposed amendments to the
Mechanical Code and shall recommend such changes or amendments as they deem
appropriate.
SECTION 302
Sec. 302(a) unchanged
(b) Plans and Specifications. Plans, engineering calculations,
diagrams and other data shall be submitted in one or more sets with each
application for a permit The Building Official may require plans, computa-
tions and specifications to be prepared and designed by a Registered Engi-
neer licensed by the state to practice as such and proficient in Mechanical
Engineering
Plans and specifications for the installation of environmental heating
or cooling systems, absorption systems, ventilation systems and hoods shall
be filed with the established enforcing authority and approved before the
issuance of any permit for the following
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SECTION 2
That it shall be unlawful for any person to construct, enlarge, alter,
repair, move, improve, convert, equip, use or maintain any heating, comfort
cooling, refrigeration, ventilating or exhaust systems or other miscella-
neous heat producing appliances in the City of Fort Worth or cause the same
to be done. contrary to or in violation of any of the provisions of this
ordinance; and that a person violating any of the provisions of this ordi-
nance shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each day or portion
thereof during which any violation of any provision of this ordinance is
committed, continued or permitted, and each violation shall be punishable
by a fine not to exceed $500 00
SECTION 3
That it is hereby declared to be the intention of the City Council
that the sections, paragraphs, sentences, clauses and phrases of this ordi-
nance are severable, and if any phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph or
section of this ordinance shall be declared void, ineffective or unconsti-
tutional by the valid judgment or final decree of a court of competent
jurisdiction, such voidness, ineffectiveness or unconstitutionality shall
not affect any of the remaining phrases, clauses, sentences, paragraphs and
sections of this ordinance, since the same would have been enacted by the
City Council without the incorporation herein of any such void, ineffective
or unconstitutional phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph or section
SECTION 4
That Ordinance 8907 and all ordinances amendatory thereto are hereby
expressly repealed and superseded by the terms of this ordinance All
other prior ordi;~~nces and City Code sections in conflict herewith are here-
by repealed but only insofar as such ordinances and code sections are in
conflict with the provisions of this ordinance
Mechanical permits heretofore issued under then existing ordinances
shall be valid for the time for which they were issued under said ordi-
nances; but upon expiration of such permit, the same shall be void
SECTION 5
That all rights and remedies of the City of Fort Worth, Texas, are
expressly saved as to any and all violations of the provisions of Ordinance
or any other ordinance affecting heating, comfort cooling or ventila-
tion systems which have accrued violations and all pending litigation, both
civil and criminal, whether pending in court or not, under such ordinances,
same shall not be affected by this ordinance but may be prosecuted until
final disposition by the courts
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SECTION 6.
That the City Secretary of the City of Fort Worth, Texas, is hereby
authori2ed to publish Exhibits "A" and "B" to this ordinance in pamphlet
form for general distribution among the public, and the operative pro-
visions of this ordinance as so published shall be admissible in evidence
in all courts without further proof than the production thereof, as pro-
vided in Section 3, Chapter XXVI of the Charter of the City of Fort Worth,
Texas.
SECTION 7.
That the City Secretary of the City of Fort Worth, Texas, is hereby
directed to engross and enroll this ordinance by copying the caption and
penalty clause of same in the minutes of the City Council of the City of
Fort Worth, Texas, and by filing the ordinance in the ordinance records of
said City.
A complete copy of Exhibits "A" and "B" shall be filed herewith and
maintained wherever a complete copy hereof is required for permanent record
and inspection.
SECTION 8.
That the City Secretary of the City of Fort Worth, Texas, is hereby
directed to publish the caption, penalty clause and effective date of this
ordinance for five (5) days in the official newspaper of the City of Fort
Worth, Texas.
SECTION 9.
That this ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after
the date of its passage and publication as required by law, and it is so
ordained.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
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City Attorney
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ADOPTED 1~'1~lJ GO
EFFECTIVE
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SECTION 101
Title
Sec 101. This ordinance shall be known as the "Fort Worth Mechanical
Code", may be cited as such, and may be referred to herein as "this code"
SECTION 103
Scope
Sec 103. The provisions of this code shall apply to the erection,
installation, alteration, repairs, relocation, replacement, addition to,
use or maintenance of any heating, ventilating, cooling, refrigeration
systems, incinerators or other miscellaneous heat-producing appliances with-
in this jurisdiction.
Additions, alterations, repairs and replacement of equipment or sys-
tems shall comply with the provisions for new equipment and systems except
as otherwise provided in Section 104 of this code.
Where, in any specific case, different sections of this code specify
different materials, methods of construction or other requirements, the
most restrictive shall govern
The Uniform Mechanical Code Standards and Uniform Building Cade Stan-
dards contained in Appendix A shall be considered as part of this code
Appendix B, Chapter 21, shall be considered as part of this code,
except Section 2127 3, which shall serve only as a guide Appendix B,
Chapters 22, 23 and 24 contain recommended practices which shall serve only
as a guide.
Appendix C contains gas-venting tables and a list of recommended stan-
dards and is intended to serve only as a guide The design and testing of
equipment regulated by this code shall be subject to the approval of the
building official
SECTION 104
Sec 104(x) unchanged
(b) Existing Installations. Except as otherwise provided in this
code, mechanical systems lawfully in existence at the time of adoption of
this code may have their use, maintenance or repair continued if the use,
maintenance or repair is in accordance with the original design and loca-
tion and no hazard to life, health or property has been created by such
mechanical system
EXCEPTION NO 1 The following chapters, sections and paragraphs of
this code shall be applicable to all mechanical installations within the
City of Fort Worth, regardless of when they were installed 507, 508,
601(x}, 701 (second paragraph}, 807, Chapter 9, 1104
EXCEPTION N0. 2 A kitchen exhaust system with a Type I hood for
collecting and removing grease and smoke and a fire extinguishing system
shall be installed at or above all existing cooking equipment in commercial
food processing establishments as required by Chapter 20 of this code
(c) (d) and (e) unchanged
SECTION 201
Sec 201(a) unchanged
(b) Deputies. In accordance with the prescribed procedures of
this jurisdiction and with the concurrence of the appointing authority, the
Building Official may appoint a chief mechanical inspector and other re-
lated technical officers and inspectors and other employees a~ shall be
authorized from time to time
(c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) and (i) unchanged
SECTION 203
Board of Appeals
Sec 203(a} General. In order to determine the suitability of
alternate materials of construction and to provide for reasonable interpre-
tations of the provisions of this code, there shall be and is hereby
created a Mechanical Board of Appeals, hereafter referred to as the
"Board", or as "Mechanical Board", consisting of nine members who are quali-
fied as set forth below The Building Official or his designated represen-
tative shall be an ex-officio member and shall act as Secretary of the
Board.
(b) Appointment. The Mechanical Board shall be appointed by the
City Manager with the consent of the City Council and shall hold office at
its pleasure The Board shall adopt reasonable rules and regulations for
conducting its investigations and shall render all decisions and findings
in writing
(c) Board Composition. The Board shall consist of
Place Qualifications
1 Citizen not in Building Industry
2 Registered Mechanical Engineer
3 Registered Mechanical Engineer
4 Licensed Air Conditioning Contractor
5 Licensed Air Conditioning Contractor
6 Licensed Mechanical Contractor
7 Citizen in the Air Conditioning Industry
8 Architect
9 Citizen not in Building Industry
(d) Tenure. The members, shad hold office for a term of two (2)
years unless relieved for cause prior to that time Members in even-num-
bered places shall be appointed in even-numbered years Members in odd-num-
bered places shall be appointed in odd-numbered years Members shall not
serve more than three (3) consecutive two-year terms
(e) .Removal. The City Council may remove any member of the Board
during the term for which he may be appointed
(f) Vacancy. Should a vacancy occur, the City Manager, by and
with the advice and consent of the City Council, shall appoint a person
having the prerequisite qualifications of the place vacated to fulfill the
unexpired term of said place.
(g) Quorum. Any five (5) members of the Board shall constitute a
quorum to transact business but no decision shall be handed down unless
concurred in by not less than five (5) members The Board shall hold meet-
ings at such time and place as called by the Chairman or one acting lawful-
ly in that capacity
(h) Advisors. In addition to the members set out in Section
2O3(c) of this code, the following city officials shall be advisors to the
Board
1 City Attorney
2 Director of Health
3 Fire Marshal
When required by the Board, the advisory members shall attend and
furnish necessary special reports and inspections
(i) Bylaws. It shall be the duty of the Board to meet as soon
after their appointment as is practicable One member shall be elected
Chairman and shall serve as the presiding officer of the Board for a period
of ane (1) year
(j) Secretary. The Building Official, who serves as Secretary of
the Board, shall perform the following services
1. Keep the minutes, books, files and other records of the Board
2. Issue all licenses in the name of the Board
3 Send out all notices and attend to all correspondence under the
direction of the Board
4 Collect fees for which provision is made by ordinance; same to be
deposited with the Building Official
5 He shall perform such other duties as are incidental to his
office and as may be required by the Board
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(k) Rules. The Board
its own rules governing its
visions of this ordinance
shall have ,the power to make and promulgate
meetings and proceedings, subject to the pro-
(1) Enforcement. The Building Official shall execute and enforce
all legally endowed decisions of the Board
SECTION 204
Violations
Sec 204(a) unlawful Installation. It shall be unlawful for any
person, firm or corporation to erect, install, alter, repair, relocate, add
to, replace, use, or maintain heating, cooling, refrigeration, ventilating
or exhaust systems, incinerators or other miscellaneous heat-producing
appliances in the City, or cause the same to he done, contrary to or in
violation of any of the provisions of this code Maintenance of equipment
which was unlawful at the time it was installed and which would be unlawful
under this ordinance if installed after the effective date of this ordi-
nance, shall constitute as continuing violation of this ordinance
(b) Penalty. Any person, including a firm or corporation,
violating any of the provisions of this code shall be deemed guilty of a
misdemeanor, and each such person shall be deemed guilty of a separate
offense for each and every day or portion thereof during which any viola-
tion of any of the provisions of this code is committed, continued, or
permitted, and upon conviction of any such violation, such person shall be
punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000 00
SECTION 205 (added)
Sec 205(a)(1) Business Registration. Permits shall be issued
only to a business which has a valid registration with the City of Fort
Worth to make an installation of equipment regulated by this code Each
business, including self-employment, shall have in its employ a licensed
individual where licenses are required by this code or an official of the
business listed with that business registration who will be designated for
issuance of permits Each registered business listed shall notify the City
of Fort Worth of any change in licensee or designated official Permits
shall not be issued where a business registration or license has been
suspended or revoked
(2) License Required. Only a person who possesses a valid Fort
Worth mechanical air conditioning contractor's license or a valid State of
Texas air conditioning and refrigeration contractor's license with proper
endorsements may register for a business and be issued permits for the
installation of all forms of heating, cooling, heating and cooling duct
systems, refrigeration and other heat-producing appliances regulated by
this code Such licensed contractors may extend to and connect thereto any
gas piping that may be required for the operation of such equipment All
electrical connections are regulated by the Fort Worth Electrical Code.
An electrical disconnect.m~y be ins~a'lled by a registered HVAC contrac-
for when replacing an existing HVAC unit of the same or lesser amperage.
A maintenance electrician license shall be required for all persons
who perform electrical service, repair or maintenance on equipment regu-
lated by the Mechanical Code when an electrical permit is not required
EXCEPTION Those persons who possess a valid State of Texas air
conditioning and refrigeration contractor's license with proper endorse-
ments registered with the City of Fort Worth and the employees under their
direct personal supervision shall not be required to obtain a Fort Worth
maintenance electrical license to service and maintain the internal part of
the system as manufactured and listed
Plumbing contractors registered with the City of Fort Worth with a
valid State of Texas plumbing license may obtain permits and install gas
fired appliances which are not considered "air conditioning contracting" by
the State air conditioning licensing law All L P gas piping installa-
tions shall conform to the applicable Texas Railroad Commission regula-
tions.
(3) Boiler and Pressure Vessels. Boiler installation or repair
contractors who have been certified by an approved testing agency, testing
to meet (A S M E ) American Society of Mechanical Engineers and (A W S )
American Welding Society codes, may make boiler and pressure vessel instal-
lation and repair.
(4) Automatic Fire Extinguishing Installation. A state license
and a Fort Worth Fire Department listing is required to obtain a permit for
all automatic fire extinguishing system installations regulated by this
code
(5) Prefabricated Fireplaces, Ventilation Systems, or Commercial
Kitchen Hood Systems. An owner or an official of a company whose primary
business includes the installation of such equipment, and who is proficient
in the installation of such equipment, may register for the purpose of
obtaining permits to install such equipment
(b)(1) License Testing Procedure. Every person desiring to be
licensed by the City to engage in the mechanical heating and air condition-
ing contracting business in a capacity for which a license is required by
this code shall take an examination given by the Mechanical Inspection
Section
(2) Eligibility. To be eligible for application to take an exami-
nation for a heating and air conditioning contractor's license, an appli-
cant must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age and have at least three
(3) years' experience in heating, cooling, refrigeration systems, or other
approved miscellaneous gas fired appliances, and the installation thereof
For the purpose of this requirement, a degree in Mechanical Engineering
from an accredited college or university may be deemed the equivalent of
three years' experience
(3) Application. Each person to be examined for a mechanical heat-
ing and air conditioning license to be issued by the City of Fort Worth
shall first file a written application for such examination at least 30
days before taking the examination with the Chief Mechanical Inspector
The application shall include such documentary information as to proof of
experience, education, and such other information as is required hereby.
(4) License IIse. If an applicant is an owner, officer, partner,
association or supervisory employee of a firm, partnership, association or
corporation which intends to engage in mechanical heating and air condition-
ing contracting under the authority of the license applied for, the appli-
cant shall also provide such information regarding the firm, partnership,
association or corporation as the application form may require The appli-
cant shall keep the office of the Mechanical Inspection Section informed of
any change in this information
(5) 4Tritten Examination. A written examination shall inquire into
the applicant's knowledge of the Mechanical Code and be given to those
applicants who have eligibility approval Each test shall be certified by
the Board. Applicants passing the examination may work prior to final
certification by the Board
(6) Examination Fee. Each applicant shall pay an examination fee
of twenty dollars ($20 00) to the City of Fort Worth at the time the appli-
cation is filed A ten dollar ($10 00) reexamination fee is required if
reexamination is taken within six (6) months of the first failure The
applicant is eligible for reexamination after 30 days has expired from
first failure and 60 days of failures thereafter
(7) Location - Time. Examination may be held in the City Hall or
at such other place as may be designated and limited to the hours between
8:00 a m. and 5 00 p m The time of the holding of such examination shall
be set by the Chief Mechanical Inspector and each applicant shall be noti-
fied of the time and location thereof The applicant shall be notified of
his grade as soon as practicable
(c) Granting License. The Chief Mechanical Inspector shall grant
a license to each applicant who has satisfactorily passed the written exami-
nation with a grade of 70 or more and pays the specified license fee within
thirty (30) days following the date of certification by the Mechanical
Board
A late payment of the same amount as the application fee shall be
required if the thirty (30) days following certification has expired, up to
a period of six (6) months
After the six month period, another examination will be required
(d)(1) Fees. Licensing fees shall be as follows
First year or portion thereof $100 00
Yearly renewal $ 50 00
Delinquency fee for yearly renewal $ 25 00
(d)(2) Business registration fees shall be as follows
First year or portion thereof $100 00
Yearly renewal $ 50 00
Delinquency fee for yearly renewal $ 25 00
Reinstatement of suspended registration $ 25 00
(e) Yearly Expiration. Business registration and licenses shall
expire on December 31 following the date of issuance or renewal. Business
registration and license fees are due January 1 and shall be renewed annual-
ly on or before February 1 upon payment of the required fee
Any license which has lapsed not more than one (1) year may be renewed
upon payment of the delinquency fee A license which has lapsed for more
than one (1) year shall not be renewable and reexamination shall be re-
quired
Any business registration that is allowed to lapse shall pay the
renewal fee plus the delinquency fee before permits will be issued
(f) Restrictions of License. Licensees shall not be simultaneous-
ly employed by, or work for more than one business registration for the
purpose of obtaining permits under this code or for the purpose of doing or
supervising work that can only be done by authority of a permit obtained
under the provisions of this code
Only one licensee for each business registration will be recognized
for the purpose of obtaining permits The licensee shall keep the City of
Fort Worth notified of any change in his employment
(g) Termination of License. Licenses shall not be assigned or
transferred, but a license of any owner, officer, partner, association or
corporation with a business registration shall be sufficient to qualify
such firm, partnership, association or corporation to engage in the busi-
ness of mechanical heating and air conditioning contracting if a licensee
is solely employed by or associated with such firm, partnership, associa-
tion or corporation in a permanent, full-time .capacity In the event all
holders of valid licenses terminate their relationship for any reason, with
such registered business, the business may continue in mechanical heating
and air conditioning contracting and will be held responsible for those
permits obtained prior to such termination; provided, however, that such
permits shall not be valid for more than ninety (90) days from the date of
termination Thereafter, in order for a firm, partnership or corporation
under existing new business registration to continue operations as a mechan-
ical heating and air conditioning contractor, another owner, officer,
partner, associate or supervisory employee of said entity must either hold
a valid license or pass the examination, or the registered business shall
engage the full-time services of a valid license holder
(h) Temporary 'work Permit. When approved by the Building Official
or enforcing authority, a Temporary Work Permit may be issued to a person
qualifying for a Fort Worth mechanical heating and air conditioning con-
tracting license and a business registration The time period for this
permit shall not exceed three (3) months
This Temporary Work Permit ,will entitle the holder to obtain one
permit to begin installation of equipment regulated by the Fort Worth
Mechanical Code During the three-month time period, or before the instal-
lation is complete and before a final inspection has been made, the person
who has been issued a Temporary Work Permit shall be required to take the
licensing examination and obtain a valid Fort Worth mechanical heating and
air conditioning contractor's license and a business registration
A fee for this Temporary Work Permit shall include an examination fee,
a licensing fee, and a business registration fee. This fee shall be paid
in full before the issuance of a permit No additional fee will be re-
quired when the requirements for a valid mechanical, heating and air condi-
tioning license have been certified and the business is registered
(i) Vehicle. All vehicles operated in connection with the instal-
lation, erection, alteration, relocation and replacement of any equipment
regulated by this code shall be identified on each side with registered
business name Where a license is required by Sec 205(a), the licensee's
license number shall be added for identification Letters of identifica-
tion shall be a minimum of 2 inches in height, visible and legible at all
times that the vehicle is in use for contracting of regulated equipment
(j) Job Abandon~-ent. If, after a permit is issued to a registered
business with a named licensee under the provisions hereof, said licensee
abandons the job, becomes incapacitated or his services are terminated
prior to final inspection and approval thereof by Building Official or
enforcing authority, the permit holder or the person engaging the services
of the licensee shall immediately notify the Office of the Building Offi-
cial in writing Upon such notification, the Building Official or the
enforcing authority shall immediately have an inspection made of the work
completed to that time, and he may revoke the outstanding permit and
require that a new permit be obtained before the work is allowed to resume
See Table 3A
(k) License or Business Registration Revoked. A license, a busi-
ness registration or permit may be suspended, repealed or revoked by the
Building Official or enforcing authority by reason of the occurrence of one
or more of the following
1 Adjudication of insanity,
2 Fraud or misrepresentation in obtaining a license registration or
permit;
3. Violation of any provision of this ordinance, the Plumbing, Elec-
trical or Building Codes or any other regulatory ordinances of
the City applicable to the installation or alteration of appli-
ances, equipment or systems as set forth in the Mechanical Ordi-
nance;
4. Defraudation of any person for whom he has rendered or contracted
to render service;
5 Failure to obtain a~ permit o~r the attempted assignment of a
permit for others;
6 Failure to pay permit fees or the voluntary or involuntary filing
of bankruptcy proceedings by or against the firm, partnership,
association or corporation with a business registration with the
City of Fort Worth;
7 The sending of six notifications within a six-month period that
the licensee or registered business is in violation of the Mechan-
ical Ordinance;
8 When a state license is suspended for any reason
(1) License and Registration Suspension. Upon suspension or revo-
cation of said mechanical and air conditioning contracting license, or
business registration, same shall be null and void and no work thereafter
may be performed thereunder
Board Affirmation. Upon appeal to the Board, the Board may
affirm, revise or modify such suspension or revocation
"A business registration suspended for failure to maintain state-re-
quired insurance may be reinstated at no fee within the first 60 days
After the first 60 days, a reinstatement fee will be assessed"
SECTION 206 (added)
Board Powers
Sec 206(a) Certification. The Board is hereby authorized to
investigate methods, materials, equipment and appliances to determine their
compliance with Section 102 Those complying shall be certified by the
Board for the information of the public
(b) Authorization. The powers of the Mechanical Board are hereby
extended so as to authorize the Mechanical Board to make reasonable inter-
pretations or rulings in matters properly before it as to the suitability
of alternate materials and/or methods of installation and, upon appeal,
authorize such variance in the application of the terms of this code as
will not be contrary to the public interest, where owing to special condi-
tions, a literal enforcement of the provision of this code will result in
unnecessary hardship
(c) Limitation. The Board of Appeals shall have no power to other-
wise change in writing or by general application the text of this code
1 Any Group A, E, H or I occupancy;
2 New buildings having an aggregate floor area, including base-
ments, of 15,000 square feet and over;
3 Installations other than those listed in items 1 and 2 above,
where the aggregate input capacity is 350,000 Btu/h and over for
environmental heating, or an aggregate of 25 horsepower and over
for environmental cooling, or an aggregate of 350,000 Btu/h input
capacity and over for absorption units
4. All commercial food processing establishments
EXCEPTION The Building Official may waive the submission
of plans, calculations or other data if he finds that the nature
of the work applied for is such that reviewing of plans is not
necessary to obtain compliance with this code
Sec. 302(c) unchanged
SECTION 304
Sec 304(a) unchanged
(b) Permit Fees. The fee for each permit shall be as set forth in
Table No. 3-A.
Any person obtaining a permit application required by this code shall,
at the time of filing, pay a permit and inspection fee as required by this
section for the installation, relocation or replacement of any of the
listed items
EXCEPTION NO 1. Where the fees for the new structures and additions
to structures have been collected on a building permit, additional fees are
not required but the permit application shall be filed before work is
commenced by the person doing the work
EXCEPTION NO 2 Where these permit fees are being invoiced monthly
and the account is past due, a fee of $15 00 or 10 percent (10X) of the
total, whichever is more, shall be assessed The above assessed fee shall
be paid before additional permits will be issued or additional inspections
performed
(c) and (d) deleted
(e) unchanged
(f) Fee Refunds. The Building Official may authorize the refund-
ing of any fee paid hereunder which was erroneously paid or collected
Where work for which a permit has been issued does not commence, and a
request is made for a cancellation of such permit within the 60-day time
limit, the permit fee may be returned, upon request, minus an administra-
tion charge of $5 00 After the 60 days, no fee shall be returned
SECTION 305
Sec. 305(a) and {b) unchanged
(c) Add to middle paragraph
Chilled water and other piping used to convey fluids for transferring
heat shall be tested and approved as required by Sec 2127 of Appendix B
(d) (e) and (f) unchanged.
TABLE N0. 3-A - MECHANICAL PERMIT FEES
Permit Issuance
1 For the issuance of each permit
2 For issuing each supplemental permit
$10 00
3 00
Forced A$r Heating-Furnaces Including Ducts and/or Vents Attached Thereto:
Capacity to and including 100,000 Btu input or 20 KW 3 00
Over 100,000 Btu or 20 KW and including 400,000 Btu or 40 KW 5 00
Heating Appliances Non-Ducted Air
Gas Unit or Room Heater, including vent 3 00
Gas Wall Heater, including vent 3 00
Gas Floor Furnace, including vent 3 00
Gas Infra-red Heating Unit 3 00
Electric Heater, Wall, Space, Unit, etc 3 00
Energy-Using Heat Appliance Other Than Above
Per 1,000 Btu Input $0 04 Minimum 3 00
Per 1 KW 0 14 Minimum 3 00
Each Low or High Pressure Steam ar Hot Water Boiler Rated in Eithe r Btu's
Input, Boiler Horsepower Output, or RW
Per 1,000 Btu's Input $0 04 Minimum 3 00
Per Boiler HP Output 1 30 Minimum 3 00
Per KW 0 14 Minimum 3 00
Each Absorber Unit, Electrical Reciprocating, Centrifu gal, or Rotary
Compressor, Condensing Unit, or Chiller Unit, Each on its Normal Capacity
Rating
Up to and including 2 tons 3 00
Over 2 and including 3 tons 5 00
Over 3 and including 5 tons 8 00
Over 5 and including 7-1J2 tons 11 00
Over 7-1/2 and including 10 tons 14 00
Over 10 and including 30 tons, per ton 1 30
Over 30 and including 100 tons, per ton 1 20
Over 100 and including 320 tons, per ton 1 00
Over 320 and including 520 tons, per ton 0 80
Over 520 tons, per ton 0 60
Each Roof-Top or Combination Unit, Including Ducts and Drain
Heating
Cooling and
Only Cooling
Up to and including 3 tons $ 5 00 $10 00
Over 3 and including 5 tons 8 00 14 00
Over 5 and including 7-1/2 tons 11 00 19 00
Over 7-1/2 and including 10 tons 14 00 22 00
Over 10 tons, per ton 2 00 2 50
Roof-Top Heating Only
Unit per 1,000 Btu $0 04 Minimum 3 00
Through-the-Wall A/C Units
All Sizes, Each 4 00
Cooling Tower, Evaporative or Air-Cooled Condensor, Tonnage Based on
Local Design Conditions
All size units, per ton
refrigeration capacity $0 50 Minimum 3.00
Cooling-Heating Coils
D E or Chi11 Water, per ton $0 50 Minimum 3.00
Steam or Hot Water, per 1,000 Btu 0 04 Minimum 3 00
Fan and Coil Units Including Drains and Ducts
Cool and Heat, per ton $1 00 Minimum 3 00
Cool only, per ton 0 50 Minimum 3 00
Heating Unit only, per 1,000 Btu 0 04 Minimum 3 00
Electric Heat Strips for Units or Duct Installations
Per KW $0 14 Minimum 3 00
Mixing Box-Conditioned Air 1 00
Mixing Box-Forced Air 2.00
Duct Addition or System not
included elsewhere, per outlet $0 50 Minimum 3 00
Miscellaneous
Commercial food preparation hood - Grease Type I 8 00
Commercial food preparation hood - Heat or Moisture Type II 6 00
Commercial hood exhaust fan - Grease 5 00
Commercial hood exhaust fan - Heat or Moisture 4 00
Commercial hood exhaust duct - Grease 5 00
Commercial hood exhaust duct - Heat or Moisture 4 00
Commercial kitchen make-up air unit 5 00
Commercial hood automatic electronic smoke extractor 16 00
Automatic fire-extinguishing equipment system 16 00
Range hood exhaust duct, for R Occupancy 1 00
Toilet exhaust fan and/or duct (per inlet) 1 00
Ventilation fan and duct system 4 00
Industrial hood 6 00
Mechanical ventilator 4 00
Miscellaneous (Continued)
Flue replacement - U L labeled
Flue or stack for commercial and industrial appliances
Humidifier
Vented decorative appliance
Commercial clothes dryer and vent
Domestic clothes dryer vent
Incinerator, per 1,000 Btu $0 04
Incinerator modification
Condensate drain-French sump
Fire or smoke damper
Circulating water pump
Evaporative cooler
Automatic shutoff - products of combustion
Solar energy system
Heat recovery devices per 1000 Btu $0 04
Gas extension - test
For each appliance or piece of equipment by this
ordinance for which no other fee is listed
Inspection of previously rejected work
Written notification of Mechanical Code nonconformance
SECTION 510
NOTE This section has been revised in its entirety
$ 4.00
5 00
2 00
4 00
5.00
1.00
Minimum 3 00
50 00
3 00
1 00
1.00
4 00
5 00
30 00
Minimum 10 00
5 00
5 00
10 00
5 00
Sec 510(a) Condensate Waste. Condensate from air cooling coils
shall be collected and discharged to an approved plumbing fixture with an
open sight air gap or to an approved disposal area The drain shall have a
slope of not less than 1~8 inch. per foot and shall be of non-ferrous metal
pipe at least 3/4 inch inside diameter
EXCEPTIONS
1 The condensate piping material from an air cooling coil may be of
rigid schedule 40 PVC or CPVC pipe provided
a type of construction will permit the use of plastic piping,
material per the FWBC;
b. piping is not exposed within any duct or plenum space except
for residential type construction;
c. piping is permanently supported, not more than 5 feet on
centers;
d. any piping exposed to the ultraviolet rays of the sun shall
be composed of U.V. resistant materials
2 The inside diameter of the piping from a condensate pump may be
the same size but not smaller than that of the pump discharge
3. Cooling unit condensate drains may discharge into a roof drain if
the roof drain connects directly into a storm sewer
4 In the event sanitary s2wer connections are not readily avail-
able, the Building Official may permit air conditioning units of no more
than 7-1/2 tons to discharge their condensate drainage into an approved
disposal area.
S Piping for drain lines from Group II refrigeration equipment may
be of galvanized ferrous metal
When the condensate waste from air conditioning coils discharges by
direct connection to a lavatory tailpiece or to an approved accessible
inlet on a bathtub overflow, the connection shall be located in the area
controlled by the same person controlling the air conditioned space
Condensate drain pipes shall be permanently supported not more than 10
feet on centers, except PVC piping shall be supported not more than 5 feet
on centers Supports must be of a permanent material extending on either
side of the drain pipe Pipe exposed to weather shall be secured to the
supports with galvanized iron strips and screws
(b) Approved Condensate Disposal Area. Approved disposal area may
be a French sump having a minimum dimension of 2' x 2' x 1-1/2' deep, a
minimum distance of 3 feet from a foundation, filled with small crushed
rock or washed gravel to within 6" of the top and covered with dirt and
turf to a depth of not less than 6" The condensate pipe shall terminate
into an approved non-metallic, bottomless container having perforated side
walls
(c) Vacuum Breaker. Condensate drains from draw through cooling
units shall have an open pipe vacuum breaker in the pipe connection at the
unit
(d) Drain Pipe Length and Sizing. The overall developed
horizontal length of a piping system collecting condensate drains shall not
exceed 200' in length
Condensate drains for air-cooling coils shall be sized in accordance
with equipment capacity as follows
EguiQment Capacity
i~p to 20 tons of refrigeration
21 to 40 tons of refrigeration
41 to 90 tons of refrigeration
91 to 125 tons of refrigeration
126 to 250 tans of refrigeration
Minimum Condensate
Drain Diameter
3/4 inch
1 inch
1-1/4 inch
1-1/2 inch
2 inch
Size of condensate drains may be for one unit or a combination of
units, or as recommended by the manufacturer Drain capacity is based on
1/8 inch per foot slope, drains running three-quarters full
(e) Emergency Overflow... An emergency overflow from a cooling coil
condensate collector pan or an additional watertight pan of corrosion resis-
tant metal shall be installed in connection with a cooling coil which is
located above an occupied space
The overflow condensate shall be discharged at a point which can be
readily observed by the occupant Emergency overflow outlet and piping
shall be the size of the condensate drain and may be uninsulated
EXCEPTION: Equipment in a room with a waterproof floor having a floor
drain need not have an emergency overflow.
(f) Condensate Drain Pipe Insulation. All condensate drain lines
located above a ceiling, in stud spaces, furnace enclosures, or any other
spaces where condensed moisture from a drain line could cause damage, shall
be insulated in accordance with Section 2502(d)
EXCEPTION (1) Insulation will not be required where PVC or CPVC pipe
is allowed.
(g) Equipment Drains. Drains from equipment discharging unpol-
luted water, such as cooling tower overflow or drainage, processing system
or other systems, which require periodic or continuous draining as a means
of disposing liquid wastes, shall be discharged into an approved disposal
area as permitted by the Fort Worth Water Pollution Code, latest edition
Above equipment drains may be of approved corrosion resistant pipe
(h) Humidifier Drains. Drains from humidifiers shall discharge
into a sanitary sewer Piping materials may be ferrous or nonferrous
Where humidifier discharges into a condensate drain pipe, it must not
decrease the pipe size or create a potential overflow
(i) Public Ways. Condensate or waste water shall not drain over a
public way.
(j) Fuel-burning Appliance Condensate Drains. Condensate drain
lines from individual fuel-burning condensing appliances shall be sized
according to the manufacturer's recommendations Condensate drain lines
serving more than one appliance shall be approved by the Building Official
prior to installation
SECTION 602
Sec 602(a) Location. Approximately one-half of the required
combustion air opening area shall be located within the upper 12 inches of
the enclosure and approximately one-half of the opening area shall be
located within the lower 12 inches of the enclosure All combustion air
openings in an enclosure may be located within the upper 12 inches of the
enclosure provided the floor area of the appliance compartment is more than
twice the floor area of the appliance therein and there is an unobstructed
area equal to the required opening area extending to the fire box
See Table No 6-A for combustidn air requirements
" (b) and (c) unchanged.
SECTION 604
Sec 604(a) and (b) unchanged
(c) Screen. Top end of ducts which terminate in an attic may be
screened.
SECTION 607
Sec 607(a) (b) and (c) deleted
(d) Designed Installations. With prior approval, compliance with
the requirements of Table No. 6-A will not be required for an installation
which has been designed and sealed by an engineer licensed by the State of
Texas to practice as such and proficient in Mechanical Engineering
TABLE NO 6-A
COMBUSTION AIR REQUIREMENTS FOR FUEL-BURNING EQUIPMENT
MINIMUM TOTAL FREE AREA MINIMUM TOTAL FREE AREA
OF DUCTS OR OPENINGS, OF DUCTS OR OPENINGS,
WHERE FLOOR AREA OF WHERE FLOOR AREA OF
COMPARTMENT IS LESS COMPARTMENT IS MORE
THAN TWICE THE FLOOR THAN TWICE THE FLOOR
AREA OF THE APPLIANCES AREA OF THE APPLIANCES
INPUT THEREIN THEREIN
0 through 2 sq. in for each 1,000 1 sq in for each 1,000
500,000 Btu/h Btu/h (200 sq in min ) Btu/h (100 sq in min )
500,000 through 1,000 sq in plus 2 sq 500 sq in plus 1 sq
1,000,000 Btu/h in. for each 1,500 Btu/h in for each 1,500 Btu/h
over 500,000 Btu/h over 500,000 Btu/h
Over 1,000,000 1,666 sq. in plus 2 sq 833 sq in plus 1 sq
Btu/h in for each 2,000 Btu/h in, for each 2,000 Btu/h
over 1,000,000 Btu/h over 1,000,000 Btu/h
SECTION 701
Sec 701, paragraph 1, unchanged
Add paragraph 2 as follows_
- Every dwelling unit and guest room shall be provided with heating
facilities capable of maintaining a room temperature of 70°F at a point 3
feet above the floor in all habitable rooms RE: Building Code Sec 1212
SECTION 703
Sec 703, unchanged, except add Exception ~~5 as follows
EXCEPTION NO 5 In existing construction, an existing furnace room
may be used for a replacement furnace, providing the door is not smaller
than eighteen (18) inches in width
SECTION 708
Sec. 708, add the following as paragraph 1~4
Access to the furnace shall be provided by a stair or fixed ladder
constructed of nominal 2 by 4's with steps not over 11" centers
EXCEPTION An area above a suspended removable ceiling which is not
over 10' above the floor" below and where a portable ladder is permanently
available
SECTION 710
Sec 710(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) and (g) unchanged
Sec 710(h), change paragraph ~~2 to read as follows
Every furnace located on the roof of any building shall be readily
accessible
EXCEPTIONS:
1 Permanent exterior ladders providing roof access need not extend
closer than 8 feet to the finish grade
2 A portable ladder may be used for access for furnaces on the
single-story portion of a Group M or R Occupancy
3 For appliances located on roofs of the buildings where the mini-
mum height does not exceed eighteen (18) feet from the finish
grade, a portable ladder may be used
SECTION 803
Sec. 803, add paragraph #3 as follows
Approved factory built wood burning fireplaces and stoves shall be
installed as required by the listing from an approved testing agency and by
the manufacturer's instructions See Table No 5-A for clearances on
unlisted appliances
SECTION 807
Sec. 807(a) and (b) unchanged
(c) unchanged, except add the following exception
EXCEPTION Unvented fuel-fired room heaters, excluding fuel-fired
bathroom heaters, may continue to be used in existing Group R-3 Occupancies
when approved by the Building Official unless remodeling ar rehabilitation
of fire damage is in excess of 50 percent of the value of the structure
SECTION 905
Sec 905(a), add exception to paragraph ill as follows
EXCEPTION One 90° offset from the horizontal may be used adjacent to
a horizontal draft hood collar
SECTION 910
Sec 910, add note ~4 as follows
4 The venting system materials used must be of the same manufacture
and style as the existing venting system, or replacement materials shall be
of one manufacture Installation shall conform to the U L listing require-
ments for the materials.
SECTION 1002
Sec 1002(a), add exceptions to paragraph ~~2 as follows
EXCEPTION 1 Existing buildings where hourly rated construction does
not exist may have the use of the corridor as an integral part of a duct
system when:
A Ionization products of combustion detectors are installed in an
approved location so as to provide detection for each inhabited room or
exit way The detector shall be connected to the circulating air system
controls, or
B The circulating air system shall be designed and controlled so as
to reverse the air flow from the corridor into the inhabited room using all
outside air when activated by the product of combustion detectors, or
C. An approved air release shall exist so as to assure a constant
flow from the corridor into the inhabited room, or
D Any other approved system that will accomplish the intent of the
above subsections
Sec 1002(b) Factory-made Air Ducts. Factory-made air ducts shall
be approved for use intended or shall conform to the requirements of U M.C
Standard No 10-1. Each portion of a factory-made air duct system shall be
identified by the manufacturer with a label or other suitable identifica-
tion indicating compliance with U M C Standard No 10-1 and its class
designation These ducts shall be listed and shall be installed in accor-
dance with the terms of their listing and the following requirements
Non-metallic fiberglass duct systems shall conform to the following
1. Shall be a Class I air duct in accordance with U L 181 Test, as
required by NFPA-90A Facing material for round fiberglass ducts and duct
board shall have a perm rating of not greater than 0 05 perms Insulation
material for insulated flexible duct shall be sheathed with an approved
facing material with a vapor barrier having a perm rating of not greater
than 0 3 perms, as determined by ASTM-E96, Procedure A The insulated
flexible duct shall have a resilient core of continuous impervious inner
air barrier.
Shall have a thermal conductance (C) at 75° of not greater than 2/+
C-BtuJhour sq ft deg F (ASTM C 177-71 test)
Shall not be installed where they will be exposed to the weather
2 All joints of fiberglass ductboard systems shall be connected or
stapled and taped in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions Tape
shall also meet Class I air duct approval by U.L 181 as required by
NFPA-90A All insulated flexible ducts shall be installed as straight as
possible and extended to their fullest without undue strain at a connection
joint
All bends in a main trunk duct greater than 45 degrees shall be metal
adjustable elbows No flexible duct bends in branch take-offs shall be
made with the center line radius less than one duct diameter, and only one
bend may occur per six=foot length of duct material. Metal volume-reducing
fitting shall be used for branch take-offs Factory attached or shop made
metal connectors shall be used to connect flexible ducts All metal
connecting collars shall incorporate a smooth standing bead or equivalent
to positively secure flexible duct to the metal with a draw band type or an
approved fastener Tape or mastic with a Class I air duct in accordance
with U L 181 may be used to seal the joints Flexible duct shall be
supported at manufacturer's recommended intervals, but with a maximum
distance of 10 feet on centers with permissible sag of 1J2" per foot of
spacing between supports
All wrap around support hangers shall have cradles contoured to fit
the diameter of the duct with cradles long enough to support a minimum of
four turns of the internal wire helix, or use manufacturer's support pro-
visions. All metal fittings shall be supported independently of the
flexible duct. Insulated flexible ducts with not more than 45 degree bends
may rest on the ceiling joists when installed across the joists.
EXCEPTION Each individual flex duct circulating air system designed
and sealed by an engineer licensed by the State of Texas to practice as
such and proficient in Mechanical Engineering
3. Fiberglass duct systems shall be approved for air velocities, water
gauge pressure and maximum air temperature in accordance with the manufac-
turer's ratings
4 All installations of rectangular fiberglass duct board, Type 475,
800 and 1400, shall be reinforced and suspended in accordance with the
latest edition of manufacturer's instructions
(c) Joints and Seams of Ducts. (1) Joints and seams of round
ducts shall be made substantially airtight with contact lap of 1-1/2 inches
on all slip joints All round metal duct fittings such as starting collars
for plenums, reducers, branch take-offs, elbows, stack and grille heads,
etc shall be of approved factory or shop manufacture Starting collars
shall be used for all round metal duct and ceiling outlets All duct
joints shall be first taped and then firmly held in place by means of not
less than three metal screws equally spaced in each joint or an equivalent
fastening method
(2) 3oints and seams for No 28 and No 30 gauge residential rectangu-
lar ducts shall be as specified in Table No 10-A for No 26 gauge mate-
rial
(3) Joints and seams for rectangular duct systems shall be as speci-
fied in Table No. 10-A.
(4) Joints and seams for flat oval ducts and round ducts in other than
single dwelling units shall be as specified in Table No 10-B
(5) Joints and seams and all reinforcements for factory-made air ducts
and plenums shall meet with the conditions of approval in accordance with
the installation instructions that shall accompany the product
(6) The entire duct system shall be made substantially airtight by use
of tapes, mastics, gasketing or other means
Sec 1002(d) unchanged
(e) Tin. Existing tin ducts may be used when cooling coils are
added to a heating system, provided the first 10 feet of the duct or plenum
measured from the cooling coil discharge are constructed of metal of the
gauge thickness set forth in Table No 10-A, No 10-B or No. 10-C of this
chapter or are of approved material and construction Tin ducts completely
enclosed in inaccessible concealed areas need not be replaced AlI acces-
sible ducts shall be insulated to comply with Table No 25D of this code.
For the purpose of this subsection, ducts shall be considered acces-
sible where the access space is 30 inches or greater in height.
Sec. 1002(f) unchanged
Sec 1004(a) (b) and (c) unchanged
Sec. 1004(d) deleted See Sec 1002(b)
Sec. 1005 deleted. Replaced by Chapter 25 herein
TABLE N0. 10-C
Table No 10-C, add note
NOTE Round ducts 10" diameter or less may be 0105 thickness or 32
gauge material
TABLE N0. 10-D
Table No 10-D deleted See Table No 25-D for insulation of ducts
TABLE N0. 10-F
Table No 10-F deleted See Sec. 1002(b).
SECTION 1104
Sec 1104, add paragraph 4 as follows
Toilet exhaust ducts may terminate in a warehouse or shop area when
infiltration of outside air is present Toilet exhaust ducts may also
terminate in an attic space provided
(1) Attic is ventilated per Sec 3205(c) of the Building Code
(2) Exhaust duct outlet terminates in a manner that would prevent
possible blockage by attic insulation
(3) Toilet room has no more than one water closet
SECTION 1205
Sec 1205 deleted See Sec 510
SECTION 1207 (added)
Chilled and Hot Water Piping Material
Sec 1207 Materials shall be as follows
(a) Copper Pipe. Copper piping or tubing for chilled-hot water
piping shall have a weight of not less than that of Type L
Underground copper joints shall be made with high temperature solder
equal to silfos
EXCEPTION Type M copper pipe or tubing may be used when piping is
not located under a concrete slab or underground and the maximum pressure
does not exceed 60 psi and the working temperature does not exceed 210°F
(b) Steel Pipe. Steel piping shall be seamless or electric
butt-welded black or hot-dipped galvanized The minimum strength shall be
"Standard Weight", Schedule 40 or 80 as necessary to meet pressure require-
ments
1 For one and one-half (1-1/2) inch or smaller, use not less than
Schedule 40 if pipe is to be threaded For working pressures in excess of
300 psi use Schedule 80 for all sizes
2. All underground pipe, also pipe sizes two and one-half (2-1/2) inch
IPS and larger, shall have welded joints or be an approved fitting Piping
change of direction shall be made with seamless welding fittings or of
Weldolet type Mitered fittings are not permitted unless approved by the
Building Official
(c) IInderground Pipe. Cement, fiberglass and pre-insulated
Schedule 40 PVC pipe may be installed underground for chilled water only
All pipe and joints shall be insulated in an approved manner (Sec 2502).
(d) Isolation Valves. Building structures served by chilled-hot
water distribution system shall have all chilled-hot water connections to
each structure or space valved in such a manner as to afford isolation of
the structure or space from the system Gate valves shall be installed
approximately two (2) feet outside of the structure unless otherwise
approved by the Building Official Valves shall be accessible through a
concrete or cast iron box, with top mounted flush with final grade when
underground.
SECTION 1701
Add sentence and exception to third paragraph to read
Materials shall comply with Sec 2127 of this code
EXCEPTION Underground pipe material may be PVC Schedule 40 when out-
side of building perimeter.
M ~' f ~
(~
~.:
SECTION 2503
' Attic Insulation
Sec 2503 Attic space or roof shall be insulated with a minimum of
the equivalent of three and one-half (3-1/2") inches of mineral wool having
a conductivity of not more than 0 32 Three and one-half (3-1/2") inches
of fiberglass or rock wool bats will meet this requirement (R-Value 11.)
e, +~~~ ,p
~ ~.
3. Piping installed under slabs, in basements, cellars or unventi-
r lated crawl spaces with insulated walls in one- and two-family
dwellings
(b) Other Pipe Insulation Thicknesses. Insulation thicknesses in
Table 25-G are based on insulation having thermal resistances in the range
of 4.0 to 4.6 per inch of thickness on a flat surface at a mean temperature
of 75° Minimum insulation thickness shall be increased for materials
having R values less than 4 0 or may be reduced for materials having R
values greater than 4.6 per inch of thickness
1 For materials with thermal resistance greater than R = 4 6, the
minimum insulation thickness may be reduced as follows
4.6 X Table 25-G Thickness
= New Minimum Thickness
Actual R
2. For materials with thermal resistance less than R = 4 0, the
minimum insulation thickness shall be increased as follows
4.0 X Table 25-G Thickness =New Minimum Thickness
Actual R
(c) Vapor Barrier. Chilled water, refrigerant, and brine lines
shall be insulated with a material which will have a vapor barrier, to
eliminate condensation in an ambient air temperature of 90°F, 80 percent
relative humidity in zero air velocity
1 Except as otherwise noted, underground piping conveying a vapor
or fluid which will be used to provide heating or cooling shall be insu-
lated, vapor sealed and water-proofed
2. Underground pipe insulation shall be coated with an approved
fibrous mastic coating, at a rate of 1 gallon per 50 square feet of outer
insulation surface Apply with spray, glove or brush After four hours,
apply a second coat at the same rate and embed a layer of glass fabric into
the mastic After 3-4 hours, a final coating of mastic shall be applied at
the same rate to completely cover the glass fabric
(d) Condensate Drain Pipes. Condensate drain lines shall be
insulated with a minimum of 3/8 inch thickness of foamed plastic, rubber
based foam or other approved insulation which shall be installed on piping
material without longitudinal cuts Circular joints shall be sealed with
an approved adhesive.
(e) Huffiidifier Water Lines. Humidifier water supply pipe
installed in spaces exposed to outside air temperature shall be insulated
with a minimum of 3/8 inch thickness of foamed plastic, rubber based foam,
or other approved insulation All joints shall be sealed
+~ ' 'j r•
"n ~.
<'+ SECTION 2502
Piping Insulation
Sec. 2502(a) Pipe In Buildings. All piping requiring insulation
installed to serve buildings and within buildings shall be thermally
insulated in accordance with Table 25-G and this section
Pipe insulation or jackets used on steam or hot-water pipes shall be
of noncombustible materials Composite of insulation or jackets and
lap-seal adhesives shall have a flame spread of not greater than 25 and a
smoke developed rating of not greater than 50 (See Table 5-A, Footnote No
6 )
EXCEPTION: Piping underground or outside the structure need not meet
the 25/50 flame and smoke requirement
TABLE 25-G
Minimum Pipe Insulation Requirements
Fluid Insulation Thickness in Inches
Temper- Runouts for Pipe Sizes
Piping System ature Up to 1" and 8" and
Types Range, F 2"* Less 1-1/4-2 2-1/2-4 5& 6 Larger
Heating Systems
Steam & Hot Water
High Pressure/
Temp 306-450 1-1/2 1-1/2 2 2-1/2 3-1/2 3-1/2
Medium Pressure/
Temp. 251-305 1-1/2 1-1/2 2 2-1/2 3 3
Low Pressure/
Temp 201-250 1 1 1-1/2 1-1/2 2 2
Low Temperature 120-200 1/2 1 1 1 1 1-1/2
Steam Condensate Any 1 1 1 1-1/2 1-1/2 2
(for Feed Water)
Cooling Systems
Chilled Water, 40-65 1/2** 1/2** 3/4** 1 1 1
Refrigerant, or
Brine Below 40 1 1 1-1/2 1-1/2 1-1/2 1-1/2
*Runouts to Individual Terminal Units (not exceeding 12' in length)
**3/8" may be used on D E systems
NOTE Piping insulation is not required in any of the following
cases
1 Piping installed within HVAC equipment
2 Piping at temperatures between 65°F and 120°F
.
a ~
TABL',E 25~D
Minimum Insulation Re quirements
For Plenum Spaces. Metal Fittings and Meta l Air Conditioning Duct Systems
Insulation Types and Thick-
DUCT LOCATION nesses That Are Acceptable
1 SUPPLY and RETURN DUCT systems * 3", 0 75 lb/cu ft FSK WRAP
exterior of building and exposed * 1-1/2", 1.5 lb/cu ft Duct
to outside temperature and weather Liner
* 1-1/2", Type 475 or 800
Duct Board
* or equivalent to provide an
installed conductance = 0.16
2 SUPPLY and RETURN DUCT systems * 2", 0 75 lb/cu ft FSK WRAP
located in attic spaces outside the * 1", 1 5 lb/cu ft Duct Liner.
building insulation envelope * 1", Type 475 or 800 Duct
SUPPLY and RETURN DUCT systems Board
located in mechanical equipment * or equivalent to provide an
rooms, furnace enclosures, shaft installed conductance = 0 24
enclosures and any other spaces
connecting or ventilated with
unconditioned air
SUPPLY and RETURN DUCT systems
located outside of the building
insulation envelope but inside
the buildine other than attic spaces.
3 SUPPLY DUCT systems located inside of * 1", 0 75 lb/cu ft FSK WRAP
the building insulation envelope * 1/2", 2 0 Ib/cu ft Duct
(Min. R-11). Liner
* 1/2", Type 475 or 800 Duct
Examples: A Equipment rooms, shaft Board
enclosures, and floor or * or equivalent to provide an
roof ceiling spaces. installed conductance = 0 48
B Floor or roof ceiling
spaces when used as a
duct or plenum (See
Note 1)
SUPPLY DUCT systems located in under
floor crawl spaces.
4 SUPPLY and RETURN DUCT systems
located in nonconcealed conditioned * NONE REQUIRED
spaces.
RETURN DUCT SYSTEM in a1T locations
not listed above (including return
ducts in under floor crawl spaces)
NOTE 1 Insulation may be omitted on a maximum of six (6) feet length of
branch or run-out ducts to a c eiling air diffuser and on the
diffuser when located in building spaces used as a return air duct
or plenum.
c' ~ x ~
•
..
J
5 Insulation of the duct systems which are exposed to weather shall
be vapor sealed and additionally weatherproofed as follows. Apply a coat
of weatherproof mastic and embed°into the wet tack coat a layer of open
weave glass cloth Smooth membrane to avoid wrinkles and overlap all seams
at least 2". Apply a finish coat of the mastic to a minimum thickness of
1/8"
6. Duct wrap shall be interrupted at fire or smoke dampers. Also
shall be interrupted at heat sources in a duct system involving electric
resistance or fuel-burning heaters
External duct wrap insulation shall not extend through those walls,
floors or roofs required by the Building Code to have a fire resistance
rating. The insulation shall be sealed to the wall, floor or roof to form
a vapor-proof connection.
(d) Duct Liner. All duct liner shall be coated on the air flow
side with a fire-resistant coating tightly bonding the surface fibers
Duct lining, when used as insulation, shall be continuous in all
portions of the duct except at fire or smoke dampers and at heating appli-
ances
Application of liner to duct shall be by means of 100 percent coverage
with adhesive and the use of mechanical fasteners in accordance with SMACNA
Standard All leading edges and transverse joints shall be coated with
adhesive
a
a
Perm Rating
Hess (or assembly
flow to the vapo
perms
SECTION 2501
- The water vapor 'permeance of a sheet of any thick-
between parallel surfaces) is the ratio of water vapor
r pressure difference between the surfaces, measured in
Sec 2501(a) Duct Insulation. Every supply and return air metal
duct and/or plenum system of a heating and/or cooling system shall be
insulated with not less than the amount of insulation set forth in Table
No. 25-D
EXCEPTION Duct and plenum systems used exclusively for evaporative
cooling systems
1. All insulation, ducts, tapes and adhesive material shall have a
mold, humidity and erosion resistance face, where applicable, meeting the
requirements of U M C Standard No. 10-1 All such materials shall have a
flame-spread rating of not greater than 25 and a smoke developed rating of
not greater than 50 They shall be so labeled or identified with printing,
acceptable to the Building Official, on the facing of the fiberglass insula-
tion products and on the product or container of accessory items
Sec 2501(b) deleted
(c) Duct Wrap-Faced Fiberglass Insulation. Installation of duct
wrap-faced fiberglass products shall conform with the following
1 All duct wrap-faced fiberglass type insulation applied externally
to a duct system, which is located in or on a building and provides air
supply for heating and/or cooling, shall be faced with a permanent vapor
barrier composed of a foil scrim kraft material having a maximum perm
rating of 0 05
2 Insulation on rectangular ducts over 24" wide shall be provided
with suitable mechanical fasteners at no more than 18 0 C to secure
insulation on the bottom of the duct
3 All duct wrap on round duct shall not be more than 1/2" less than
labeled thickness after application The same insulation thickness applies
to rectangular duct except on the corners, in which area 3/4" thickness is
acceptable
4 The facing shall have a minimum 2" tab on the longitudinal and
circumferential joints for lapping and stapling Facing tabs shall be
sealed with adhesive and stapled on not over 3" centers All punctures and
tears in the vapor barrier facing shall be sealed with an approved adhesive
and covered with facing material
~ SECTION 1702 (added)
N
Sec. 1702. A1T drains shall be installed as specified in Section 510
of this code
SECTION 1903
Sec 1903(a) unchanged
Sec. 1903(b) deleted
Sec. 1903(c) and (d) unchanged
SECTION 2002
Sec 2002(a) through (c) unchanged
Sec 2002(d) add exception as follows
EXCEPTION That portion of a duct directly above the food preparation
area, from the ceiling penetration through a roof or exterior wall and
which does not penetrate a floor above or adjacent tenant wall may be
protected by insulating with a material having a temperature rating with a
minimum of 1200°F
Sec 2002(e) through (j) unchanged
SECTION 2003
Sec. 2003(a) add exception as follows
EXCEPTION Those establishments using cooking equipment designed for
domestic use, excluding griddles and deep fat fryers, are required to meet
only those requirements for domestic equipment in Sec 1901 and 1902.
Sec 2003(b) add the following after last paragraph
Thermal recovery units or other devices may be installed in ducts or
hoods or located in the path of travel of exhaust products when specifical-
ly approved or listed for such use Such devices shall not increase the
fire hazard, nor shall it allow an accumulation of grease buildup
Sec 2003(c) and (d) unchanged
Sec 2003(e) add exception as follows to first paragraph
EXCEPTION Grease filters in a non-canopy hood, located above the
cooking surface having less clearance than required by Table No 20-A shall
be tested and listed for its clearance and shall be approved by the Build-
ing Official
..
Sec 2003(f) unchanged.
Sec 2003(g)(4) add second exception as follows
EXCEPTION Type I and Type II commercial hood exhaust systems may
have a minimum of two-thirds of the listed air quantity when designed by an
engineer, registered by the State of Texas, and approved by the Building
Official The air quantity must be of sufficient amount to provide for
capture and removal of all grease, heat and moisture laden vapors Test
data or performance or both, acceptable to the Building Official, shall be
provided upon request
Sec 2003(h) unchanged
Sec 2003(1) add the following after first paragraph
Tempered Air. Kitchens with exhaust systems in excess of 2500 cfm
shall be provided with tempered makeup air
For this purpose, tempered air means a temperature of not less than
60°F at the discharge diffuser in the room
EXCEPTION Kitchen ventilation systems which furnish their own makeup
air independent of the air furnished to the kitchen or other areas of the
building are excluded
Sec 2003(j) through (k) unchanged
SECTION 2004
Sec 2004(a) unchanged
Sec 2004(b) (1) through (3) unchanged
Sec 2004(b) (4)' (A) through (E) unchanged
Sec 2004(b) (4) (F)~(added)
F Operating Test
Upon completion of the installation of an automatic fire extin-
guishing system or an addition thereto, the certified firm shall,
before the system is placed in use, perform an operating test in
conformance with the requirements of the Building Official
Sec 2004(b) (4) (G) (added)
G Portable Extinguishers
In addition to the fixed system, portable fire extinguishers
shall be installed near the food-processing equipment in accor-
dance with U F.C Standard No 10-1 (40 B C - 5 lb min )
~ °' i ,:
Sec 2004(b) (4) (H) (adde'd)
H Service
Extinguishing systems shall be serviced at least every six months
or after activation of the system Inspection shall be by a
qualified individual of a firm certified through the State Fire
Marshal's office
A new service tag shall be attached each time an inspection or
service is performed Should system fail to pass service inspec-
tion and a red tag is attached, the certified firm shall notify
the Building Official
Sec. 2004(b) (5) unchanged
Sec. 2004(c) unchanged
CHAPTER 25 (added)
Insulation - Mechanical Installations
SECTION 2500
Sec. 2500 Certain words and terms used in this section shall mean as
follows
Thermal Conductivity (K-Factor) - The time rate of heat flow
through one square foot of homogeneous material one inch thick; when there
is a temperature difference of one degree F between the opposite faces of
the material expressed in Btu/hr per square foot, per degree F, per inch
Thermal Conductance (C-Factor) - The time rate of heat flow
through a homogeneous material of other than one inch thickness; or through
a non-homogeneous construction such as an air space, expressed in Btu/hr ,
per square foot, per degree F temperature difference
~` = C-Factor for a specific thickness
Inches of nominal thickness
Thermal Resistance (R) - The measure of the resistance of a mate-
rial or building component to the passage of heat The resistance value
(R) of mass-type insulations shall not include any value for reflective
facing The "R" factor is the reciprocal of the conductance "C" or the "U"
factor
R = I
C
II Factor - The total heat flow through a given construction
assembly; air to air, expressed in Btu/hr per square foot, per degree F
temperature difference
~,
DATE REFERENCE SUBJECT ORDINANCE ADOPTING 1988 UNI- PAGE
NUMBER
12-11-90 **G-8943 FORM MECHANICAL CODE AND AMENDMENTS ,of 1_
ri i rn rrn
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached ordinance
(constituting the 1988 Uniform Mechanical Code with local amendments) as
the Mechanical Code of the City of Fort Worth.
DISCUSSION:
Attached is the proposed ordinance adopting the 1988 Uniform Mechanical
Code. This is in keeping with the policy of regularly updating the
Building Code of the City of Fort Worth.
The Mechanical Board has revised the ordinance to include changes primarily
for the purpose of clarification and to gain a closer uniformity with the
Uniform Mechanical Code.
A Public Hearing was held by the Mechanical Board of Appeals on Wednesday,
November 14, 1990. No one appeared in opposition to the proposed ordinance
therefore, the Mechanical Board recommends City Council adoption.
MG:o
06CODE
~~~~~~ED~ BY
~~ ~Qt~f~LIL
DEC ~ ~ 199p
~ ~~~.~
City Secretaxy of the
City of Fort Worth, TexaO
SUBMITTED FOR I ht
CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE BY Mike Groomer
ORIGINATING
DEPARTMENT HEALj~Oe Bilardi
FOR ADDITIONAL INfOeMD~ lard
CONTACT ~J
DISPOSITION BY COUNCIL.
6122 ^ APPROVED
C OTHER (DESCRIBE)
8901
8901 Adopted_Ordonance No.,
PROCESSED BY
CITY SECRETARY
GATE
r "~ ...