HomeMy WebLinkAbout(0167) 2021 IMC (technical) -Final.pdfORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE FORT WORTH MECHANICAL CODE, BY
ADOPTING THE 2021 INTERNATIONAL MECHANICAL CODE, WITH LOCAL
AMENDMENTS; AMENDING SECTIONS 7-166, 7-167, 7-168 AND 7-169 OF THE CODE
OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH (2015); REGULATING THE ERECTION,
CONSTRUCTION, ENLARGEMENT, ALTERATION, REPAIR, MOVING, REMOVAL,
DEMOLITION, CONVERSION, EQUIPMENT, DESIGN, QUALITY OF MATERIALS,
USE AND MAINTENANCE OF HEATING, COMFORT COOLING AND VENTILATING
SYSTEMS IN THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS; DEFINING CERTAIN TERMS;
ESTABLISHING MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR THE INSTALLATION,
ALTERATION OR REPAIR OF MECHANICAL SYSTEMS; PROVIDING FOR THE
ISSUANCE OF PERMITS AND THE COLLECTION OF FEES THEREOF; PROVIDING
FOR THE INSPECTION OF SUCH SYSTEMS; PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR A SAVINGS CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR A PENALTY
CLAUSE; PROVIDING THAT THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE CUMULATIVE;
PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION IN PAMPHLET FORM; PROVIDING FOR
PUBLICATION IN THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT WORTH, TEXAS:
SECTION 1.
That Article V: International Mechanical Code, Section 7-166 of the Code of the City of
Fort Worth (2015) is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 7-166. THE 2021 EDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL MECHANICAL
CODE ADOPTED.
(a) The Mechanical Code of the City of Fort Worth is hereby revised and amended to
conform, with certain exceptions as specified below, to the 2021 International Mechanical Code
of the International Code Council (ICC), and the same as amended is hereby adopted as the City's
Mechanical Code. One (1) copy of the 2021 International Mechanical Code marked Exhibit "A",
is incorporated herein by reference and shall be filed in the Office of the City Secretary for
permanent record and inspection.
(b) The mechanical provisions of the International Residential Code, as adopted
elsewhere, shall be used as the mechanical provisions for buildings and structures applicable to
that code except as provided for in that code.
(c) Any Errata corrections published by the International Code Council for the 2021
International Mechanical Code, as they are discovered, are considered as part of this code.
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SECTION 2.
That Section 7-167 of the Code of the City of Fort Worth (2015) is hereby amended as
follows:
See.7-167. Amendments.
The 2021 edition of the International Mechanical Code is hereby amended to read as
follows:
CHAPTER 1— SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION
*IMC Chapter 1; "SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION" is hereby deleted and the
Administrative and Enforcement provision of this Code shall be governed by the Fort
Worth Building Administrative Code.
CHAPTER 2 - DEFINITIONS
IMC SECTION 202
GENERAL DEFINITIONS
*IMC Section 202; the followingddefinitions are changed and new definitions are added to
read as follows:
BUILDING CODE. Building Code shall mean the International Building Code as adopted by
this jurisdiction.
CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY. Any of the following shall be considered as a change of
occupancy where the current International Building Code requires a ,greater degree of safety,
accessibility, structural strength,fire protection, means of egress, ventilation or sanitation than is
existing in the current building or structure:
1. Any change in the occupancy classification of a building or structure.
2. Any change in the purpose of, or a change in the level of activity within, a building or
structure.
3. A change of use.
The definition shall also apply to the usage of the surrounding site and access to and from the
building structure or site, as necessary to achieve the purpose of this code, and to obtain compliance
with other codes and ordinances of this jurisdiction
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CHANGE OF USE. A change in the use of a building or a portion of a building, within the same
group classification, or from one zoning use category to another, for which there is a change in
aqpplication of the code requirements.
ELECTRICAL CODE. Electrical Code shall mean the National Electrical Code as adopted by
this jurisdiction. For the purpose of this code, all references to NFPA 70 and the ICC Electrical
Code shall be assumed to mean the Electrical Code as defined herein.
ENERGY CODE. Energy Code shall mean the International Energy Code as adopted by this
jurisdiction.
FIRE PREVENTION CODE (FIRE CODE). Fire Prevention Code, or Fire Code, shall mean
the International Fire Code as adopted by this jurisdiction.
FORT WORTH BUILDING ADMINISTRATIVE CODE. The Fort Worth Administrative
code containing the administrative, organizational, and enforcement rules and regulations for the
Fort Worth Building, Residential, Plumbing, Fuel Gas, Mechanical, Electrical, Sign and Existing
Building codes.
FUEL GAS CODE. Fuel Gas code shall mean the International Fuel Gas Code as adopted by
this jurisdiction and shall be considered as part of the Plumbing Code. (See Plumbing Code.)
HAZARDOUS LOCATION. As used in this code, any location considered to be a fire hazard
for flammable vapors, dust, combustible fibers or other highly combustible substances. The
location is not necessarily categorized in the International Building Code as a high -hazard use
group classification.
MECHANICAL CODE. Mechanical Code shall mean the International Mechanical Code as
adopted by this jurisdiction.
PLUMBING CODE. Plumbing Code shall mean the International Plumbing Code and the
International Fuel Gas Code as adopted by this jurisdiction. The term "Plumbing Code" applies
to both codes as one combined code.
RESIDENTIAL CODE. Residential Code shall mean the International Residential Code as
adopted by this jurisdiction.
TECHNICAL CODES. The Fort Worth Building, Residential, Plumbing, Fuel Gas, Mechanical,
Electrical, Sign and Existing Building codes which regulate the construction, alteration, relocation,
enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal
and demolition of every building or structure or any appurtenances connected or attached to such
buildings or structures.
CHAPTER 3 — GENERAL REGULATIONS
IMC SECTION 303
EQUIPMENT AND APPLIANCE LOCATION
*IMC Section 303.1; add a second paragraph to read as follows:
Access to equipment and appliances shall be provided through areas under the control of the
tenant, room or dwelling unit served, or provided in common areas accessible without going
through private tenant spaces, rooms or dwelling units. The location shall not be such that
permission from one occupant must be obtained before another occupant can provide service to
their equipment or appliances.
IMC SECTION 306
ACCESS AND SERVICE SPACE
*IMC Section 306.3; changed to read asefollows:
306.3 Appliances in attics. Attics containing appliances shall be provided ... {bulk of
paragraph unchanged) ... front side of the appliance. The clear access opening dimensions shall
be a minimum of 20 inches by 30 inches (508 mm by 762 mm), and or larger where such
dimensions are not large enough to allow removal of the largest appliance. As a minimum, access
to the attic space shall be provided by one of the following_
1. A permanent stair.
2. A pull down stair with a minimum 300 lb. (136 kg) capacity.
3. An access door from an upper floor level.
4. An access panel, only when the equipment is within 24" of the panel opening.
Exceptions:
1. The passageway and level service space are not required where the appliance is
capable of being serviced and removed through the required opening.
2. Where the passageway is unobstructed and not less than 6 feet (1829 mm) high
and 22 inches (559 mm) wide for its entire length, the passageway shall be not
greater than 50 feet (15 250 mm) in length.
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Solid flooring as specified for the passageway of this section shall be flooring that complies
with the provisions as required for a floor or shall not be less than one layer of 3/4" plywood.
Water heaters shall not be installed in residential attics.
Exception: Tankless water heaters.
*IMC Section 306.3.1; add a sentence to read as follows:
Low voltage wiring of 50 Volts or less shall be installed in a manner to prevent physical
damage.
*IMC Section 306.4.1; add a sentence to read as follows:
Low voltage wiring of 50 Volts or less shall be installed in a manner to prevent physical
damage.
*IMC Section 306.5; changed to read as follows:
306.5 Equipment and appliances on roofs or elevated structures. Where equipment
requiring access or appliances are located on an elevated structure or the roof of a building such
that personnel will have to climb higher than 16 feet (4877 mm) above grade to access such
equipment or appliance, an interior or exterior means of access shall be provided. Permanent
exterior ladders providing roof access need not extend closer than 12 feet (3658 mm) to the finish
grade or floor level below and shall extend to the equipment or appliances' level service space.
Such access shall ... {bulk of section to read the same)... Stieh aeeess shall not require the
of portable laddeFs. Where access involves climbing over parapet walls, the height shall be
measured to the top of the parapet wall.
Where an equipment or appliance has a serviceable area located at a height exceeding 16 feet
(4877 mm) above the access level, a permanent approved means of access and a catwalk or
working deck shall be provided on at least one side. Such permanent exterior ladder need not
extend closer than 12 feet (2438 mm) to the access level below.
(Remainder of section unchanged)
*IMC Section 306.5.1.1: added to read as follows:
306.5.1.1 Catwalk. On roofs having slopes greater than 4 in 12, a catwalk at least 24
inches in width with substantial cleats spaced not more than 16 inches apart shall be
provided from the roof access to the working platform at the appliance.
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*IMC Section 306.5.2; add a sentence to read as follows:
Low voltage wiring of 50 Volts or less shall be installed in a manner to prevent physical
damage.
IMC SECTION 307
CONDENSATE DISPOSAL
*IMC Section 307.2.1; change to read as follows:
307.2.1 Condensate disposal. Condensate from all cooling coils and evaporators shall be
conveyed from the drain pan outlet to an approved place of disposal. Such piping shall maintain a
minimum horizontal slope in the direction of discharge of not less than one -eight unit vertical in
12 units horizontal (I-percentslope). Condensate shall not discharge into a walking surface such
as a street, alley, sidewalk, or other areas so as to cause a nuisance. Rooftop units may be piped
to discharge into roof drains when such drains do not discharge onto a walking surface as listed
above.
*IMC Section 307.2.2; change to read and add a second paragr to read as follows:
307.2.2 Drain pipe materials and sizes. Components of the condensate disposal system shall
be ABS, cast iron, copper and copper alloy, CPVC, cross -linked polyeLhylene, galvanized steel,
PE-RT, polyethylene,polypropylene, PVC or PVDF pipe or tubing. Components shall be selected
for the pressure., and temperature and exposure rating of the installation. Joints and connections
shall be made in accordance with the applicable provisions of Chapter 7 of the International
Plumbing Code relative to the material type. Condensate waste and drain line size shall be not less
than the discharge size of the pan but not less than 3/4-inch (19 mm) internal diameter and shall not
. .. {bulk ofparagraph unchanged) ... in accordance with Table 307.2.2. All horizontal sections
of drain piping shall be installed in uniform alignment at a uniform slope.
*IMC Section 307.2.3, item #2; add a sentence to read as follows:
The conspicuous point of disposal shall not create a hazard such as dripping over a walking surface
or other areas so as to create a nuisance.
*IMC Section 307.2.3, Add item #5; to read asefollows:
5. A listed and labeled water detecting device shall be provided that will shut off up -flow
equipment in the event the primary drain is blocked. The device shall be installed on all up
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flow equipment above the first floor and shall be installed beneath and on the floor of the
Lip -flow equipment it serves.
CHAPTER 4 — VENTILATION
IMC SECTION 403
MECHANICAL VENTILATION
*IMC Section 403.2; add an exception #2 to read asefollows:
2. Where the design professional demonstrates that an engineered ventilation system
is designed in accordance with ASHRAE 62.1, the minimum required rate of
outdoor air shall be permitted to be as specified in such engineered system design.
*IMC Section 403.2.1; change item I and add an item #5 to read asefollows:
1. Ventilation air shall not be recirculated from one dwelling unit to another or to
dissimilar occupancies. See also Table 403.3, footnote b. When dissimilar
occupancies produce odors or smells that may infiltrate neighboring tenant spaces
through wall or ceiling openings, during positive or negative tive pressures, efforts shall
be taken to seal such openings and/or provide supply air in a method that would
prevent such infiltration.
2. {unchanged}
3. (unchanged)
4. (unchanged)
5. Toilet rooms within private dwellings that contain only a water closet, lavatory or
combination thereof may be ventilated with an approved mechanical recirculating
fan or similar device designed to remove odors from the air.
CHAPTER 5 — EXHAUST SYSTEMS
IMC SECTION 501
GENERAL
*IMC Section 501.3; add a fourth exception to read as follows:
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Exceptions:
1. {unchanged}
2. {unchanged}
3. {unchanged}
4. Toilet room exhaust ducts may terminate in a warehouse or shop area when
infiltration of outside air is present.
IMC SECTION 504
CLOTHES DRYER EXHAUST
*IMC Section 504.5; changed to read asefollows:
504.5 Dryer exhaust power ventilators. Domestic dryer exhaust duct ventilators shall be listed
and labeled to UL 705 for use in dryer exhaust duct systems. The dryer exhaust duct power
ventilator DEDPV shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and
interlocked to prevent the clothes dryer from being energized if the DEDPV fails to operate as intended.
*IMC Section 504.9.1; changed to read as follows:
504.9.1 Material and Size. Exhaust ducts shall have a smooth interior finish and shall be
construed of metal not less than 0.016-inch (0.4 mm) in thickness. The exhaust duct size shall
be 4 inches (102 mm) nominal in diameter. The size of duct shall not be reduced along its
developed length nor at the point of termination.
*IMC Section 504.9.2; changed to read as follows:
504.9.2 Duct Installation. Exhaust ducts shall be support at 4-foot (1219 mm) intervals
and secured in place. The insert end of the duct shall extend into the adjoining duct or fitting
in the direction of airflow. Ducts shall not be joined with screws or similar fasteners that
protrude more than ' /4 :,,e (3.2 mm) into the inside of the duct. Where dryer exhaust ducts
are enclosed in wall or ceiling cavities, such cavities shall allow the installation of the duct
without deformation.
IMC SECTION 506
COMMERCIAL KITCHEN HOOD VENTILATION
SYSTEM DUCTS AND EXHAUST EQUIPMENT
*IMC Section 506.3.2.5; first paragraph changed and third paragraph added to read as
follows:
N.
506.3.2.5 Grease duct test. Prior to the use or concealment of any portion of a grease duct
system a leakage test shall be performed ... {bulk of paragraph unchanged) ... A light test or
smoke test shall be performed to determine that all welded and brazed joints are liquid tight.
(Second paragraph unchanged)
A smoke test shall be performed through the use of a commercial smoke machine intended for
the purpose, smoke emittingcartridges, artridges, or smoke candles. For smoke candles and cartridges,
top and bottom of the duct shall be sealed with a suitable material. The bottom seal shall have a
sealable opening to permit the insertion of the smoke cartridge or candle and low volume low
pressure fan or other approved pressurization device. Duct pressurization shall not exceed the
rating of the ducts. Smoke candle duration shall be 30 seconds for each 1000 cubic feet of duct.
Smoke emitting cartridges shall provide twice the volume of smoke of the duct beingtested.
ested.
IMC SECTION 510
HAZARDOUS EXHAUST SYSTEMS
*Section 510.2.1.1; added to read as follows:
510.2.1.1 Woodworking (or cabinet) shop. Where more than three fixed or table
mounted pieces of dust producing_ equipment exists, each fixed or table mounted piece shall
be connected to a dust collection system, in accordance with this section and Section 511,
and interconnected such that the dust collection is automatically activated whenever the
equipment is on.
CHAPTER 6 — DUCT SYSTEMS
IMC SECTION 607
DUCT AND TRANSFER OPENINGS
*IMC Section 607.1; add a sentence to read as follows:
For outdoor air intakes and exhaust openings, dampers shall also comply with the Energy
Code-
*IMC Section 607.2.2; changed to read as follows:
607.2.2 Hazardous exhaust ducts. Hazardous exhaust duct systems shall extend directly
to the exterior of the building and shall not extend into or through ducts and plenums. Fire
dampers are not required at penetration of fire -rated elements for hazardous exhaust duct
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systems. Penetration of fire -rated elements shall comply with Section 510 and the Building
Code.
*IMC Section 607.5.5.3; added to read asfollows:
607.5.5.3 Installation requirements. Exhaust systems for Group B and R kitchen,
clothes dryer, bathroom and toilet room exhausts shall comply with the following:
1. Kitchen systems, clothes dryer systems, and bathroom and toilet room systems may
share the same shaft but not the same duct. When multiple ducts are in the same
shaft, each system shall have its own fan providing continuous upward flow.
2. Dryer ducts shall have a cleanout located near the shaft penetration to permit
cleaning of the 22" subduct. The subduct shall be considered in the calculation of
allowable duct length reduction.
3. Kitchen ducts shall be provided with some method for preventing grease buildup
and cleaning of the duct.
4. A secondary power source is required for the fan under both Section 504.10 and
513.11.
SECTION 3.
That Section 7-168 of the Code of the City of Fort Worth (2015), as amended, is hereby amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 7-168 Effect of Conflict with Other Ordinances.
This article shall be cumulative of all provisions of ordinances of the Code of the City of
Fort Worth, Texas (2015), affecting Mechanical Code provisions, as amended, and shall not repeal
any of the provisions of such ordinances, except in those instances where provisions of such
ordinances are in direct conflict with the provisions of this ordinance.
SECTION 4.
That Section 7-169 of the Code of the City of Fort Worth (2015), as amended, is hereby amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 7-169 Penalty for violation.
Any person, firm, or corporation violating any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punishable by a fine not to
exceed Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) for all violations involving fire safety, or public health
and sanitation and shall be fined not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for all other
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violations of this ordinance. Each day or any portion thereof during which any violation of this
ordinance occurs or continues shall be deemed a separate offense and upon conviction thereof shall
be punishable as herein provided.
SECTION 5.
This article shall be cumulative of all provisions of ordinances of the Code of the City of
Fort Worth, Texas (2015), affecting Mechanical Code provisions, as amended, and shall not
repeal any of the provisions of such ordinances, except in those instances where provisions of
such ordinances are in direct conflict with the provisions of this ordinance.
SECTION 6.
It is hereby declared to be the intention of the City Council that the sections, paragraphs,
sentences, clauses, and phrases of this ordinance are severable, and, if any phrase, clause, sentence,
paragraph, or section of this ordinance shall be declared void, ineffective, or unconstitutional by
the valid judgment or decree of any 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 in this ordinance of any such void, ineffective, or unconstitutional phrase, clause,
sentence, paragraph, or section.
SECTION 7.
Any person, firm, or corporation violating any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punishable by a fine not to
exceed Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) for all violations involving fire safety, or public health
and sanitation and shall be fined not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for all other
violations of this ordinance. Each day or any portion thereof during which any violation of this
ordinance occurs or continues shall be deemed a separate offense and upon conviction thereof shall
be punishable as herein provided.
SECTION 8.
All rights and remedies of the City of Fort Worth, Texas are expressly saved as to any and
all violations of the previous Mechanical Code, or any other ordinances affecting construction and
fire safety, which have accrued at the time of the effective date of this ordinance: and, as to such
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 9.
A copy of the 2021 International Mechanical Code, together with the local amendments
contained in this ordinance, shall be filed in the office of the City Secretary for permanent record
and inspection.
SECTION 10.
The Development Services Department of the City of Fort Worth, Texas, is hereby
authorized to publish this ordinance in pamphlet form for general distribution among the public,
and the operative provisions of this ordinance as so published shall be admissible in evidence in
all courts without further proof than the production thereof, as provided in Chapter XXV, Section
3, of the Charter of the City of Fort Worth, Texas.
SECTION 11.
The City Secretary of the City of Fort Worth, is hereby directed to publish the caption and
Sections 1, 7, 9, 11 and 12 of this ordinance for two (2) days in the official newspaper of the City
of Fort Worth, Texas as authorized by Section 2, Chapter XXV of the Charter of the City of Fort
Worth, Texas and by Section 52.013 (a) of the Texas Local Government Code.
SECTION 12.
This ordinance shall take effect upon April 1, 2022.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
ATTEST:
By:
Melinda Ramos, Assistant City Attorney Jannette S. Goodall, City Secretary
Adopted:
Effective:
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