Where must mechanical exhaust air terminate? What locations are strictly prohibited?
1 Section M 1504.1: Air shall not be exhausted into attics, crawlspaces, soffits, ridge vents or at any interior potion of the home.
2 Unless directed by the Manufactures instructions, exhaust ducts shall terminate at the exterior and not less than 3 feet from any opening into the home, 3 feet from property lines and not less than 10 feet away or 3 feet above a mechanical air intake opening.
What are the installation requirements for clothes dryer exhaust systems? What is the maximum length of a flexible transition duct? Where is such a duct permitted?
1 A clothes dryer exhaust system shall have a maximum length of 35 feet and reduced according to Table M1502.4.5.1 for each elbow.
2 The exterior end cap shall not have a screen and be equipped with a back flow preventor.
3 The duct shall be 4 in diameter minimum, shall not decrease in size along its length, shall have a smooth wall interior.
4 The maximum length of the flexible transition duct is 8 feet.
5 Exhaust duct power ventilators, can affect length allowed and must be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
In reference to writing assignment #11 of the 2021 International Residential Code Exam Study Course:
Mechanical exhaust air must terminate in a location that adheres to specific building codes and regulations to ensure safety and prevent health hazards. Exhaust air termination is prohibited into bedrooms, closets and habitual living spaces.
In reference to writing assignment #12 of the 2021 International Residential Code Exam Study Course:
A chimney connector shall enter a masonry chimney not less than 6 inches above the bottom of the chimney. Chimney flues connected to more than one appliance shall be not less than the area of the largest connector plus 50 percent of the areas of additional chimney connectors.
In reference to writing assignment #13 of the 2021 International Residential Code Exam Study Course:
Fuel-fired appliances are prohibited in sleeping rooms and bathrooms due to safety concerns. Outdoor installations require protection from environmental elements, proper venting, and compliance with clearance requirements to ensure safe operation.
Writing assignment#13: Gas fired appliances shall not be located in sleeping rooms, bathrooms, toilet rooms, storage closets and surgical rooms, or in a space that opens only into those rooms or spaces. There are 6 exceptions all having to do with the supply of combustion air either from inside the building volume or outside. Section G2407.5 describes interior combustion air sources with limits of #Btu/hr on location, and type of heater, as well as #Btu/hr on available interior volume of air. Additional protection is required for unvented room heaters located in bedrooms and bathrooms by an oxygen depletion safety system described in G2445.5. For all gas fired appliances or combination thereof where exhaust fans, clothes dryers, and Kitchen ventilation systems interfere with the operation of appliances, makeup air shall be provided described in section G2407 and required in G2407.4. Methods of suppling outdoor combustion air are described in G2407.6
Written assignment 14:
What is the temperature limit for water supplied to a shower? A bathtub? A whirlpool bathtub? A bidet?
Water temps for a shower, bathtub, and whirlpool bathtub is 120 degrees. A bidet is 110 degrees
Written Assignment 15:
What is the minimum size for a water service pipe? How should the water distribution system be sized?
3/4 inches is the minimum size for a water service pipe.
Add up the total number of water supply fixture units (wsfu) required in the facility. Estimate demand using the table from the IPC that correlates wsfu to expected demand. Size the pipe using demand vs. friction loss curves found in the IPC charts.
Written Assignment 16:
What is the purpose of a vent piping system?
A plumbing vent, or a vent stack, regulates the air pressure within your home’s plumbing system.
Written Assignment 17:
What minimum working clearances are required for energized equipment and panelboards? How is clearance above a panelboard regulated? What is the minimum required headroom?
The minimum headroom of working spaces about service equipment, switchboards, panelboards, or motor control centers shall be 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m).
Written Assignment 18:
Where is ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection mandated?
GFCI receptacles are required in bathrooms, garages, crawl spaces, basements, laundry rooms and areas where a water source is present.
Writing assignment #14: Building sewer testing is accomplished by placing a test ball at the point of connection with the public sewer. The building sewer is then filled with water and pressurizing to not less than 10 ft head of water for not less than 15 minutes. Where a sewer pump is utilized pressuring the sewer to not less than 5psi greater than the pump rating and maintaining pressure for at least 15 minutes is required. In both cases the building sewer shall be watertight at all points.
DMV systems can be tested by 3 methods. 1-A water test the same as for sewer. 2- an air test using 5 psi or 10 inches of mercury column. 3- A vacuum test at -5 psi or -10 inches of mercury column. In all cases for not less than 15 minutes with no leaks.
The water supply system shall be tested for not less than the working pressure of the system, or for piping systems other than plastic, by an air test not less than 50 psi again for 15 minutes. All water used for tests must come from a potable source. A test exception exists for PEX piping where testing with compressed gas can be an alternative if authorized by the manufacturer’s instructions or not otherwise prohibited by codes, laws, or regulations outside of IRC code.
Writing Assignment #1 2021 IRC
Q. When there is a conflict between a general requirement and a specific requirement, which provision shall be applicable?
A. The specific requirement should apply
In reference to writing assignment #14/15/16 of the 2021 International Residential Code Exam Study Course:
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The hot water supplied to showers, bathtubs and whirlpool bathtubs shall be limited to a maximum temperature of 120°F by a water-temperature limiting device. The discharge water temperature from a bidet fitting should be limited to a maximum temperature of 110°F by a water-temperature limiting device.
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When installing a water heater with an ignition source in a garage, the heater must be elevated so that the ignition source is at least 18 inches above the garage floor. This safety measure helps prevent potential hazards.
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A plumbing vent pipe regulates the air in your plumbing system. Also, the vent pipe regulates airflow to assure waste and water flows through pipes that drain out of your house. It prevents a vacuum that causes slow or no drainage.
In reference to writing assignment #18
- Where is ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection mandated?
All exterior outlets, bathroom outlets, kitchen outlets, garage, basement. crawlspace outlets. Any outlet within 6 feet of the inside of a sink basin and all outlets within 6 feet of a water source.
The purpose of the IRC is to provide minimum guidelines for the construction of one and two family dwelling type occupancies. A code built home will provide a safe and reasonably durable structure for it occupants. From the contractor standpoint, it is the worst house you can legally build.
In reference to writing assignment #1 of the 2021 International Residential Code Exam Study Course:
Question: When there is a conflict between a general requirement and a specific requirement, which provision shall be applicable?
Answer: The specific requirement shall be applicable. One example that is used in the text(helped me to better understand) is the maximum stairway riser height is 7 3/4 inches(General Requirement). However, when looking at spiral stairways the maximum riser height is 9 1/2 inches(Specific Requirement). Therefore, there are general requirements that must be used across the board, and specific requirements that pertain to a specific situation. In those situations the specific requirement should be applicable.
- How are rafters to be tied together? At what maximum intervals must collar ties be located?
R802.4.2 Framing details.
Rafters shall be framed opposite from each other to a ridge board, shall not be offset more than 1 ½ inches (38 mm) from each other and shall be connected with a collar tie or ridge strap in accordance with Section R802.4.6 or directly opposite from each other to a gusset plate in accordance with Table R602.3(1). Rafters shall be nailed to the top wall plates in accordance with Table R602.3(1) unless the roof assembly is required to comply with the uplift requirements of Section R802.11.
R802.4.6 Collar ties.
Where collar ties are used to connect opposing rafters, they shall be located in the upper third of the attic space and fastened in accordance with Table R602.3(1). Collar ties shall be not less than 1 inch by 4 inches (25 mm x 102 mm) nominal, spaced not more than 4 feet (1219 mm) on center. Ridge straps shall be permitted to replace collar ties. Ridge straps shall be not less than 1/4-inch (32 mm) × 20 gage and shall be nailed to the top edge of each rafter with not fewer than three 10d common (3" x 0.148") nails with the closest nail not closer than 23 inches (60.3 mm) from the end of the rafter.
How far above the highest connected appliance outlet must a natural draft appliance vent terminate? How far above the bottom of a wall vent must a natural draft gas vent terminate?
Answer: M1804.2.3. Vents for natural draft appliances shall terminate not less than 5 feet above the highest connected appliance outlet.
Natural draft gas vents serving wall furnaces shall terminate at an elevation not less than 12 feet above the bottom of the furnace.
What criteria must be used to regulate combustion air for solid-fuel-burning appliances? Oil-fired appliances? Gas-fired appliances?
Answer M1701.1 Sold fuel burning appliances shall be provided with combustion air accorded to the appliance manufactures installation instructions.
Oil fire appliances shall be provided with combustion air according to NFPA 31
Gas fired appliances according to the standard method G2407.5.1 shall be supplied with 50 ft3 for every 1000 btu/hr of the appliance input rating.
Writing Assignment #15: A water heater is required to be installed in a pan when water leakage from the tank will cause damage. The pan shall be constructed of 1) galvanized steel or aluminum not less than .6010 mm thick. 2) Plastic not less than 0.9 mm thick, or other approved materials. A plastic pan underneath a gas fired water heater shall be constructed of material having a flame spread index of 25 or less and a smoke-developed index of 450 or less.
The pan shall be not less than 1 1/2" deep and shall be sufficient in size and shape to receive drippings. The pan shall be drained by an indirect drainpipe not less than 3/4". The pan drain shall extend full size, and terminate over an indirect waste receptor, or extend to the exterior of the building not less than 6" or more than 24" above the adjacent ground surface.
Where the pan drain was not previously installed a pan drain shall not be required for a replacement water heater.
Chapter 24 Writing Assignment
Question: In what locations are the installation of fuel-fired appliances prohibited? What concerns are applicable to outdoor installations?
Gas fuel fired appliances are prohibited in sleeping room, bathrooms, Toilet rooms, storage closets and surgical rooms and or spaces that open directly into one of those rooms.
There are 6 listed exceptions.
- One is if the appliance is a direct vent appliance installed according to the manufacture’s installation instructions according to the area to be installed.
- The appliance is installed in a room or space that only opens to a bedroom or bathroom and such space housing the appliance is not used for any other purpose. The door to this space would be a solid core door that is weather stripped and has and automatic closer. All combustion air would be taken directly from the outdoors.
What concerns are applicable to outdoor installations? Appliances must be listed for outdoor installation or provided with protection from outdoor environmental factors that affect operability, durability, and safety.
Question: Where must gas shutoff valves be located? Where must appliance shutoff valves be installed? Equipment shutoff valves for a fireplace?
- Shut off valves are prohibited from being in concealed spaces and furnace plenums.
- Meter. A shut of valve shall be at the meter.
- G2420.2 Individual Buildings that has a common system serving more than one building the shut offs shall be at the exterior of each building.
- G2420.5 Each appliance shall be provided with a shutoff valve according to section G2420.
- Shut off valves shall be installed in the same rooms and within 6 feet of appliance and shall be accessible and installed upstream of the union-quick disconnect.
- Shut off valves are required at moveable stoves, dryers. They are deemed accessible because stove or cloths dryer can be moved.
- Fireplace. The shut off can be located in the firebox area, if stated and the manufacture’s installation instructions.
- G2420.5.2 Vented decorative appliances and room heaters. Shutoff valves for vented decorative appliances, room heaters and decorative appliances for installation in the vented fireplaces shall be permitted to be in a remote area within 6 feet of appliance, readily accessible, clearly marked and only serving the one appliance.
In reference to writing assignment #17 of the 2021 International Residential Code Exam Study Course:
The earthing or grounding system involves connecting the metallic components of electric machinery and devices to an earth plate (ground rod) or earth electrode via an earth lead (grounding conductor) buried in moist soil. This connection is established using a thick copper conductor wire with very low resistance for safety reasons. A metal underground water pipe can only be considered as a grounding electrode for the first 5 ft. of its length within the building.
In reference to writing assignment #18 of the 2021 International Residential Code Exam Study Course:
Ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) protection is mandated in various locations to enhance electrical safety. You must install GFCI protection in all exterior outlets, bathroom outlets, kitchen outlets, garages, basements and crawlspace outlets. Also, within 6 feet of the inside of a sink basin and all outlets within 6 feet of a water source.
Writing assignment #16: (Purpose of vent piping system) The proper operation of a gravity flow drainage system covered in our previous lesson depends on maintaining an air path throughout the system to prevent waste and odor blowback in fixtures and siphoning of protective trap seals. Exterior air enters the system through open vent terminations at the roof or exterior walls. Air admittance valves may also be used on the buildings interior. The codes in this lesson cover protection, operation, and installation. Proper air flow through proper pipe sizing and configuration. Protection of vent intakes from snow, frost and debris. Vent / drainage / fixture configurations prevent siphoning of trap seals protecting sewer gas from entering building as do locations of exterior vents in relation with building openings.
Writing assignment #17: “Accessible” as applied to equipment means that it is capable of being reached for operation, renewal, or inspection. As applied to wiring methods it is capable of being removed or exposed without damaging the buildings’ structure or finish.
“Readily Accessible” refers to being quickly accessible without requiring the use of tools, other than keys, to climb over or under, to remove obstacles or to resort to portable ladders.
The terms damp, dry, and wet locations are used to define where lighting fixtures should be installed to ensure they are safe. Underwriters Laboratories defines these locations based on the NEC.
“Dry” locations are not normally damp but may experience temporary dampness. “Damp” locations are places that usually or are sometimes subject to moisture condensation on, in, or near electrical equipment. These may be indoors or outdoors. “Wet” locations are where water or liquids can drip, splash, or flow against or onto electrical equipment.
“Raintight” means the equipment is constructed or protected so that exposure to beating rain will not result in the -entrance of water- under specified test conditions. “Rainproof” means constructed, protected or treated to prevent rain from -interfering- with the successful operation also under specified test conditions.