Interpretation #7562
Published August 01, 2015
Original Request
- Code Version
- 2014
- Code
- BUILDING
- Code Description
- Chapter
- Section
- C408.2
- Topic
- Commissioning HVAC systems
Question
Is it the intent of C408.2 to require commissioning the HVAC systems in an existing building, if the entire building exceeds 480 MBtuh, but the current scope of work affects components that are less than 480 MBtuh?
Answer Published 08/01/2015 at 2:56 PM
The applicable Code here is the Existing Building Code.
Assuming the tenant improvement is considered a Level 2
Alteration, per 2014 Existing Building Section 811.1, only
the alteration needs to comply with the Energy Code. If the
altered portion of the building is less than 480,000 BTUH,
no commissioning is required by the Existing Buildings
volume. Having said that, we cannot simply ignore the fact
that the FBC-Energy Conservation volume addresses existing
buildings as well as the FBC-EB. A code change to coordinate
the two volumes is probably necessary. With that said,
Section C101.4.3 addresses the situation and basically says
the code applies to what is being worked on and is not used
to require unaltered portions of the building or building
system to comply. Therefore, from the requester's comment it
sounds as though the system being altered is less than the
threshold requiring commissioning here as well.
Assuming the tenant improvement is considered a Level 2
Alteration, per 2014 Existing Building Section 811.1, only
the alteration needs to comply with the Energy Code. If the
altered portion of the building is less than 480,000 BTUH,
no commissioning is required by the Existing Buildings
volume. Having said that, we cannot simply ignore the fact
that the FBC-Energy Conservation volume addresses existing
buildings as well as the FBC-EB. A code change to coordinate
the two volumes is probably necessary. With that said,
Section C101.4.3 addresses the situation and basically says
the code applies to what is being worked on and is not used
to require unaltered portions of the building or building
system to comply. Therefore, from the requester's comment it
sounds as though the system being altered is less than the
threshold requiring commissioning here as well.
Commentary
None