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C403.4.4 Requirements for Complex Mechanical Systems Serving Multiple Zones
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Sections C403.4.4.1 through C403.4.6.4 shall apply to complex mechanical systems serving multiple zones. Supply air systems serving multiple zones shall be variable air volume (VAV) systems that, during periods of occupancy, are designed and capable of being controlled to reduce primary air supply to each zone to one of the following before reheating, recooling or mixing takes place:
- Thirty percent of the maximum supply air to each zone.
- Three hundred cfm (142 L/s) or less where the maximum flow rate is less than 10 percent of the total fan system supply airflow rate.
- The minimum ventilation requirements of Chapter 4 of the International Mechanical Code.
- Any higher rate that can be demonstrated to reduce overall system annual energy use by offsetting reheat/recool energy losses through a reduction in outdoor air intake for the system, as approved by the code official.
- The airflow rate required to comply with applicable codes or accreditation standards, such as pressure relationships or minimum air change rates.
Exception: The following individual zones or entire air distribution systems are exempted from the requirement for VAV control:
- Zones or supply air systems where not less than 75 percent of the energy for reheating or for providing warm air in mixing systems is provided from a site-recovered or site-solar energy source.
- Zones where special humidity levels are required to satisfy process needs.
- Zones with a peak supply air quantity of 300 cfm (142 L/s) or less and where the flow rate is less than 10 percent of the total fan system supply airflow rate.
- Zones where the volume of air to be reheated, recooled or mixed is not greater than the volume of outside air required to provide the minimum ventilation requirements of Chapter 4 of the International Mechanical Code.
- Zones or supply air systems with thermostatic and humidistatic controls capable of operating in sequence the supply of heating and cooling energy to the zones and which are capable of preventing reheating, recooling, mixing or simultaneous supply of air that has been previously cooled, either mechanically or through the use of economizer systems, and air that has been previously mechanically heated.
C403.4.4.1 Single-Duct VAV Systems, Terminal Devices
Single-duct VAV systems shall use terminal devices capable of reducing the supply of primary supply air before reheating or recooling takes place.
C403.4.4.2 Dual-Duct and Mixing VAV Systems, Terminal Devices
C403.4.4.3 Single-Fan Dual-Duct and Mixing VAV Systems, Economizers
Individual dual-duct or mixing heating and cooling systems with a single fan and with total capacities greater than 90,000 Btu/h [(26.4 kW) 7.5 tons] shall not be equipped with air economizers.
C403.4.4.4 Fractional hp Fan Motors
Motors for fans that are not less than 1/12 hp (0.082 kW) and less than 1 hp (0.746 kW) shall be electronically commutated motors or shall have a minimum motor efficiency of 70 percent, rated in accordance with DOE 10 CFR 431. These motors shall also have the means to adjust motor speed for either balancing or remote control. The use of belt-driven fans to sheave adjustments for airflow balancing instead of a varying motor speed shall be permitted.
Exceptions: The following motors are not required to comply with this section:
- Motors in the airstream within fan coils and terminal units that only provide heating to the space served.
- Motors in space-conditioning equipment that comply with Section 403.2.3 or C403.2.12.
- Motors that comply with Section C405.8.
C403.4.4.5 Supply-Air Temperature Reset Controls
Multiple-zone HVAC systems shall include controls that automatically reset the supply-air temperature in response to representative building loads, or to outdoor air temperature. The controls shall be capable of resetting the supply air temperature not less than 25 percent of the difference between the design supply-air temperature and the design room air temperature.
Exceptions:
- Systems that prevent reheating, recooling or mixing of heated and cooled supply air.
- Seventy-five percent of the energy for reheating is from site-recovered or site-solar energy sources.
- Zones with peak supply air quantities of 300 cfm (142 L/s) or less.
C403.4.4.6 Multiple-Zone VAV System Ventilation Optimization Control
Multiple-zone VAV systems with direct digital control of individual zone boxes reporting to a central control panel shall have automatic controls configured to reduce outdoor air intake flow below design rates in response to changes in system ventilation efficiency (Ev) as defined by the International Mechanical Code.
Exceptions:
- VAV systems with zonal transfer fans that recirculate air from other zones without directly mixing it with outdoor air, dual-duct dual-fan VAV systems, and VAV systems with fan-powered terminal units.
- Systems having exhaust air energy recovery complying with Section C403.2.7.
- Systems where total design exhaust airflow is more than 70 percent of total design outdoor air intake flow requirements.
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