Question:
Hello, is the intent of this code section to require all openings to be protected against local weather conditions or is this specific to louvers. To be more direct, can this be interpreted that small 6"-8" wall caps serving restroom exhaust, residential type dryers, and code minimal fresh air intakes must meet Florida product/ NOA rating in hurricane prone areas. Are they required to meet AMCA 550 for water penetration?
Comment:
I recently permitted a project and received comments that the wall caps serving small fans/ fresh air intakes/ dryer vents must meet NOA/ Florida Product Approval. I have never seen an apartment with small NOA louvers in place of wall caps, further I don't believe dryer vents a permitted to terminate with a louver.
Existing Interpretations and/or Declaratory Statements Related to this request
Is it the intent of section 401.5 to require rooftop air handling units to have AMCA 550 rated intake louver openings? If so, in lieu of a AMCA 550 louver, is a manufacturer supplied rain hood acceptable?
Input Received:
This code section 401.5 is for air intake openings, exhaust openings are not included and are addressed in other sections of the code, the code requires all air intake openings regardless of size to comply with this section of code.
Not exactly. The intent of FMC 401.5 is to protect air intake openings (not exhaust) from penetrations by small animals and weather conditions and must comply with AMCA 550 in hurricane-prone regions.
For dryer exhaust requirements see FMC 504.4, a back draft damper is required, and screens are not allowed at duct termination.
Regarding NOA louvers, HIGH-VELOCITY HURRICANE ZONES, Section 1626.5.3 Open and closed louvers located on the building envelope, regardless of their function or location from grade, shall also comply with uniform air pressure testing per TAS 202 protocol and either the cyclical wind pressure loading per TAS 203 protocol or by complying with both the impact and cyclical pressure testing of AMCA 540.
Answer:
This code section 401.5 is for air intake openings, exhaust openings are not included and are addressed in other sections of the code, the code requires all air intake openings regardless of size to comply with this section of code.
In the High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) regarding NOA louvers, Section 1626.5.3 Open and closed louvers located on the building envelope, regardless of their function or location from grade, shall also comply with uniform air pressure testing per TAS 202 protocol and either the cyclical wind pressure loading per TAS 203 protocol or by complying with both the impact and cyclical pressure testing of AMCA 540.
Commentary:
None.
Comments on Draft:
Looks good
I concur
Looks good
Important part of the answer - exhaust openings are not included
