Refrigeration systems shall be limited in application in accordance with Table 1104.1, and
the requirements of Section 1104.0.
Notes:
| OCCUPANCY GROUP3 | HIGH-PROBABILITY SYSTEM |
LOW PROBABILITY SYSTEM |
MACHINE ROOM | |
| A-1 | Group A1 only | Any | Any | |
| A-2 | Group A1 only | Any | Any | |
| A-3 | Group A1 only | Any | Any | |
| A-4 | Group A1 only | Any | Any | |
| B | Group A12 only | Any | Any | |
| E | Group A1 only | Any | Any | |
| F-1 | Group A12 only | Any | Any | |
| F-2 | Any2 | Any | Any | |
| H-1 | Any | Any | Any | |
| H-2 | Any | Any | Any | |
| H-3 | Any | Any | Any | |
| H-4 | Group A1 only | Any | Any | |
| H-5 | Group A1 only | Any | Any | |
| I-1 | None | Any | Any | |
| I-2 | Group A1 only | Any | Any | |
| [OSHPD 1, 2, 3 & 4] | I-2.1 | Group A1 only | Any | Any |
| I-3 | None | Any | Any | |
| I-4 | Group A1 only | Any | Any | |
| M | Group A12 only | Any | Any | |
| R-1 | Group A1 only | Any | Any | |
| R-2 | Group A1 only | Any | Any | |
| R-3 | Group A1 only | Any | Any | |
| R-4 | Group A1 only | Any | Any | |
| S-1 | Group A12 only | Any | Any | |
| S-2 | Any2 | Any | Any | |
| U | Any | Any | Any |
1 See Section 1104.0.
2 A refrigerant shall be permitted to be used within a high-probability system where the room or space is in accordance with Section 1104.4.
3 Occupancy classifications are defined in the building code.
The concentration of refrigerant in a complete discharge of an independent circuit of high-probability systems shall not exceed
the amounts shown in Table 1102.2, except as provided in
Section 1104.3 and Section 1104.4. The volume of occupied
space shall be determined in accordance with Section
1104.2.1 through Section 1104.2.3.
Exceptions:
Exceptions:
- Listed equipment containing not more than 6.6 pounds (2.99 kg) of refrigerant, regardless of the refrigerant safety classification, provided the equipment is installed in accordance with the listing and with the manufacturer's installation instructions.
- Listed equipment for use in laboratories with more than 100 square feet (9.29 m2) of space per person, regardless of the refrigerant safety classification, provided that the equipment is installed in accordance with the listing and the manufacturer's installation instructions. [ASHRAE 15:7.2]
The volume used to
convert from refrigerant concentration limits to refrigerating
system quantity limits for refrigerants in Section
1104.2 shall be based on the volume of space to which
refrigerant disperses in the event of a refrigerant leak.
[ASHRAE 15:7.3]
Where a refrigerating
system or part thereof is located in one or more enclosed
occupied spaces that do not connect through permanent
openings or HVAC ducts, the volume of the smallest
occupied space shall be used to determine the refrigerant quantity limit in the system. Where different stories and
floor levels connect through an open atrium or mezzanine
arrangement, the volume to be used in calculating
the refrigerant quantity limit shall be determined by
multiplying the floor area of the lowest space by 8.2 feet
(2499 mm). [ASHRAE 15:7.3.1]
Where a refrigerating
system or a part thereof is located within an air handler,
in an air distribution duct system, or in an occupied space
served by a mechanical ventilation system, the entire air
distribution system shall be analyzed to determine the
worst-case distribution of leaked refrigerant. The worst
case or the smallest volume in which the leaked refrigerant
disperses shall be used to determine the refrigerant
quantity limit, subject to the criteria in accordance with
Section 1104.2.3.1 through Section 1104.2.3.3.
[ASHRAE 15:7.3.2]
Closures in the air distribution
system shall be considered. Where one or more
spaces of several arranged in parallel are capable of
being closed off from the source of the refrigerant
leak, their volume(s) shall not be used in the calculation.
Exceptions: The following closure devices shall not be considered:
Exceptions: The following closure devices shall not be considered:
- Smoke dampers, fire dampers, and combination smoke and fire dampers that close only in an emergency not associated with a refrigerant leak.
- Dampers, such as variable-air-volume (VAV) boxes, that provide limited closure where airflow is not reduced below 10 percent of its maximum with the fan running. [ASHRAE 15:7.3.2.1]
The space above a suspended
ceiling shall not be included in calculating the refrigerant
quantity limit in the system unless such space
is part of the air supply or return system. [ASHRAE
15:7.3.2.2]
The volume
of the supply and return ducts and plenums shall be
included where calculating the refrigerant quantity
limit in the system. [ASHRAE 15:7.3.2.3]
The amounts shown in
Table 1102.2 shall be reduced by 50 percent for the areas of
institutional occupancies. The total of Group A2, B2, A3, and
B3 refrigerants shall not exceed 550 pounds (249.5 kg) in the
occupied areas and machinery rooms of institutional occupancies.
[ASHRAE 15:7.2.1]
Section 1104.2 shall not apply in industrial occupancies and
refrigerated rooms where in accordance with the following:
- The space(s) containing the machinery is (are) separated 206 from other occupancies by tight construction with tight-fitting doors.
- Access is restricted to authorized personnel.
- The floor area per occupant is not less than 100 square
feet (9.29 m2).
Exception: The minimum floor area shall not apply where the space is provided with egress directly to the outdoors or into approved building exits. - Refrigerant detectors are installed with the sensing location and alarm level as required in refrigeration machinery rooms in accordance with Section 1106.4.
- Open flames and surfaces exceeding 800°F (427°C) shall not be permitted where a Group A2, B2, A3, or B3 refrigerant, other than R-717 (ammonia), is used.
- Electrical equipment that is in accordance with Class 1, Division 2, of NFPA 70 where the quantity of a Group A2, B2, A3, or B3 refrigerant other than R-717 (ammonia) in an independent circuit is capable of exceeding 25 percent of the lower flammability limit (LFL) upon release to the space based on the volume determined in accordance with Section 1104.2.1 through Section 1104.2.3.
- Refrigerant containing parts in systems exceeding 100 horsepower (74.6 kW) compressor drive power, except evaporators used for refrigeration or dehumidification, condensers used for heating, control and pressure-relief valves for either, and connecting piping, are located in a machinery room or outdoors. [ASHRAE 15:7.2.2]
The total of Group A2, B2,
A3, and B3 refrigerants, other than R-717 (ammonia), shall
not exceed 1100 pounds (498.9 kg) without approval by the
Authority Having Jurisdiction. [ASHRAE 15:7.5.1.1]
In nonindustrial occupancies, Group
A2, A3, B1, B2, and B3 refrigerants shall not be used in high probability
systems for human comfort.
Refrigerants shall be of
a type specified by the equipment manufacturer. Unless otherwise
specified by the equipment manufacturer, refrigerants
used in new equipment shall be of a purity in accordance with
AHRI 700.
Recovered refrigerants
shall not be reused except in the system from which
they were removed or as provided in Section 1104.7.2 or
Section 1104.7.3. Where contamination is evident by
discoloration, odor, acid test results, or system history,
recovered refrigerants shall be reclaimed in accordance
with Section 1104.7.3. [ASHRAE 15:7.5.1.4]
Recycled refrigerants
shall not be reused except in systems using the same
refrigerant and lubricant designation and belonging to
the same owner as the systems from which they were
removed. Where contamination is evident by discoloration,
odor, acid test results, or system history, recycled
refrigerants shall be reclaimed in accordance with
Section 1104.7.3.
Exception: Drying shall not be required in order to use recycled refrigerants where water is the refrigerant, is used as an absorbent, or is a deliberate additive. [ASHRAE 15:7.5.1.5]
Exception: Drying shall not be required in order to use recycled refrigerants where water is the refrigerant, is used as an absorbent, or is a deliberate additive. [ASHRAE 15:7.5.1.5]
Used refrigerants
shall not be reused in a different owner's equipment
unless tested and found to be in accordance with the
requirements of AHRI 700. Contaminated refrigerants
shall not be used unless reclaimed and is in accordance
with AHRI 700. [ASHRAE 15:7.5.1.6]
Refrigerants, including refrigerant
blends, with different designations as in accordance with
Table 1102.2 shall not be mixed in a system.
Exception: Addition of a second refrigerant shall be permitted where specified by the equipment manufacturer to improve oil return at low temperatures. The refrigerant and amount added shall be in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. [ASHRAE 15:7.5.1.7]
Exception: Addition of a second refrigerant shall be permitted where specified by the equipment manufacturer to improve oil return at low temperatures. The refrigerant and amount added shall be in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. [ASHRAE 15:7.5.1.7]
A change in the type of
refrigerant in a system shall not be made without notifying
the Authority Having Jurisdiction, the user, and due observance
of safety requirements. The refrigerant being considered
shall be evaluated for suitability. [ASHRAE 15:5.3]