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C403.2.9.3 Sealing, General (Mandatory)

2020 FBC - Energy Conservation, 7th edition > 4 [CE] Commercial Energy Efficiency > C403 Building Mechanical Systems > C403.2 Provisions Applicable to All Mechanical Systems (Mandatory) > C403.2.9 Duct and Plenum Insulation, Construction and Sealing (Mandatory) > C403.2.9.3 Sealing, General (Mandatory)
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All ducts, air handlers, filter boxes, building cavities, mechanical closets and enclosed support platforms that form the primary air containment passageways for air distribution systems shall be sealed in accordance with the applicable criteria of this section and Table C403.2.9.2.
C403.2.9.3.1 Mechanical Fastening
All joints between sections of air ducts and plenums, between intermediate and terminal fittings and other components of air distribution systems, and between sub sections of these components shall be mechanically fastened to secure the sections independently of the closure system(s).
C403.2.9.3.2 Sealing
Air distribution system components shall be sealed with approved closure systems.
C403.2.9.3.3 Space Provided
Sufficient space shall be provided adjacent to all mechanical components located in or forming a part of the air distribution system to assure adequate access for: (1) construction and sealing in accordance with the requirements of Section C403.2.9, (2) inspection and (3) cleaning and maintenance. A minimum of 4 inches (102 mm) is considered sufficient space around air-handling units.
Exception: Retrofit or replacement units not part of a renovation.
C403.2.9.3.4 Product Application
Closure products shall be applied to the air barriers of air distribution system components being joined in order to form a continuous barrier or they may be applied in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions or appropriate industry installation standard where more restrictive.
C403.2.9.3.5 Surface Preparation
The surfaces upon which closure products are to be applied shall be clean and dry in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions.
C403.2.9.3.6 Approved Mechanical Attachments
Approved mechanical attachments for air distribution system components include screws, rivets, welds, interlocking joints crimped and rolled, staples, twist in (screw attachment), and compression systems created by bend tabs or screw tabs and flanges or by clinching straps. Mechanical attachments shall be selected from Table C403.2.9.2 to be appropriate to the duct system type.
C403.2.9.3.7 Approved Closure Systems
The following closure systems and materials are approved for air distribution construction and sealing for the applications and pressure classes shown in Table C403.2.9.2:
  1. Metal closures.
    1. Welds applied continuously along metal seams or joints through which air could leak.
    2. Snaplock seams and grooved, standing, double-corner, single-corner and Pittsburgh-lock seams, as defined by SMACNA, as well as all other rolled mechanical seams. All seams shall be rolled or crimped.
  2. Gasketing, which achieves a 25/50 flame spread/smoke-density-development rating under ASTM E84 or UL 723, provided that it is used only between mated surfaces that are mechanically fastened with sufficient force to compress the gasket and to fill all voids and cracks through which air leakage would otherwise occur.
  3. Mastic closures. Mastics shall be placed over the entire joint between mated surfaces. Mastics shall not be diluted. Approved mastics include the following:
    1. Mastic or mastic-plus-embedded fabric systems applied to fibrous glass ductboard that are listed and labeled in accordance with UL 181A, Part III.
    2. Mastic or mastic-plus-embedded fabric systems applied to nonmetal flexible duct that are listed and labeled in accordance with UL 181B, Part II.
    3. Mastic ribbons, which achieve a 25/50 flame spread/smoke density development rating under ASTM E84 or UL 723, provided that they may be used only in flange-joints and lap-joints, such that the mastic resides between two parallel surfaces of the air barrier and that those surfaces are mechanically fastened.
  4. Tapes. Tapes shall be applied such that they extend not less than 1 inch onto each of the mated surfaces and shall totally cover the joint. When used on rectangular ducts, tapes shall be used only on joints between parallel rigid surfaces and on right angle joints. Approved tapes include the following:
    1. Pressure-sensitive tapes.
      1. Pressure-sensitive tapes applied to fibrous glass ductboard that are listed and labeled in accordance with UL 181A, Part I.
      2. Pressure-sensitive tapes applied to nonmetal flexible duct that are listed and labeled in accordance with UL 181B, Part I.
    2. Heat-activated tapes applied to fibrous glass ductboard that are listed and labeled in accordance with UL 181A, Part II.
  5. Aerosol sealant. Such sealants shall be installed by manufacturer-certified installers following manufacturer's instructions and shall achieve 25/50 flame spread/smoke-density-development ratings under ASTM E84 or UL 723.
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