N.J. Admin. Code § 5:23-3.20

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 24, December 18, 2024

Section 5:23-3.20 - Mechanical subcode

(a) Rules concerning the mechanical subcode adopted are as follows:

1. Pursuant to authority of P.L. 1975, c. 217, the Commissioner hereby adopts the model code of the International Code Council, Inc., known as the International Mechanical Code/2021. This code is hereby adopted by reference as the Mechanical Subcode for the State of New Jersey subject to the modifications at (b) below.

i. Copies of this code may be obtained from the International Code Council, 4051 West Flossmoor Road, Country Club Hills, Illinois 60478-5795.

ii. The International Mechanical Code/2021 may be known and cited as the "mechanical subcode."

2. Any references to the International Plumbing Code, the International Energy Conservation Code or the International Existing Building Code listed in Chapter 15 shall be considered a reference to the appropriate plumbing, or energy subcode in N.J.A.C. 5:23-3 or the rehabilitation subcode in N.J.A.C. 5:23-6.

3. Anywhere the term "code" appears, shall be a reference to "subcode" as defined in 5:23-1.4 for any of the adopted national model codes as appropriate.

(b) The following chapters, sections, or pages of the International Mechanical Code/2021 shall be amended as follows:

1. Chapter 1 of the mechanical subcode, entitled "Scope and Administration," is deleted in its entirety.

2. Chapter 2 of the mechanical subcode, entitled "Definitions," is amended as follows:

i. In Section 201.3, Terms defined in other codes, delete "International Plumbing Code," and insert "plumbing subcode (5:23-3.15)."

ii. The definition of the term "alteration" is deleted.

iii. The definition of the term "approved" is deleted and the following shall be inserted: "Approved refers to approval by the appropriate subcode official or other authority having jurisdiction in accordance with the regulations."

iv. In the definition of "Approved Agency," "or other authority having jurisdiction in accordance with the Uniform Construction Code" shall be inserted after "official."

v. The definition of the term "building" is deleted and the definition at 5:23-3.14(b)2 shall be inserted:

"BUILDING. A structure enclosed with exterior walls or fire walls, built, erected and framed of component structural parts, designed for the housing shelter, enclosure and support of individuals, animals or property of any kind. When used herein, building and structure shall be interchangeable except where the context clearly indicates otherwise."

vi. The definition of the term "code" is deleted.

vii. The definition of the term "code official" is deleted.

viii. In the definition of "Dwelling Unit," "living as a single housekeeping unit" shall be inserted after "persons."

3. Chapter 3 of the mechanical subcode, entitled "General Regulations," shall be amended as follows:

i. Section 301.1, Scope, is amended to delete the words "in accordance with Section 101.2."

ii. Section 301.7, Listed and labeled, is amended to delete the words "in accordance with Section 105."

iii. In Section 301.11, Plumbing connections, delete "International Plumbing Code" and insert "plumbing subcode (5:23-3.15)" in its place.

iv. Section 301.14, Repair, is deleted.

v. Add new section 301.19, Safety devices and controls, as follows:

"Oil burners, other than oil stoves with integral tanks, shall be provided with means for manually stopping the flow of oil to the burner. Such device or devices shall be placed in a readily accessible location a minimum of 10 feet from the burner. For electrically driven equipment, an identified switch in the burner supply circuit shall be provided at the entrance to the room or area where the appliance is located or, for equipment located in basements, the switch is required to be located at the top of stairs leading to the basement. An identifiable valve in the oil supply line, operable from a location a minimum of 10 feet from the burner shall be used for other than electrically driven or controlled equipment."

vi. Section 307.1, Fuel-burning appliances, shall be amended to insert "drywell, sump pump, floor drain, drainage system below floor" after "fixture."

vii. Section 307.2.1, Condensate disposal, is amended to add the following after the word "disposal" on line 3: "in accordance with the plumbing subcode." In addition, the second sentence shall be deleted. In addition, Section 307.2.1.1, Condensate discharge, is deleted in its entirety.

viii. Section 307.2.2, Drain pipe materials and sizes, is deleted.

ix. Section 309, Temperature control, is deleted.

4. Chapter 5 of the mechanical subcode, entitled "Exhaust Systems," shall be amended as follows:

i. Section 503.1, General, is amended to replace the second sentence with the following: "The type and wiring methods for motors in areas that contain flammable vapors or dusts shall be in accordance with the electrical subcode."

ii. Item 7 in Sections 504.11, Common exhaust systems for clothes dryers located in multistory structures, and 505.5, Common exhaust systems for domestic kitchens located in multistory structures, is amended to add ", if provided," after the word "and".

ii. Item 7 in Sections 504.10, Common exhaust systems for clothes dryers located in multistory structures, and 505.3, Common exhaust systems for domestic kitchens located in multistory structures, is amended to add ", if provided," after the word "and".

iii. Section 512.1, General, is amended to add a sentence as follows: "This section shall not apply to radon construction techniques covered by subchapter 10 of the Uniform Construction Code."

iv. In Section 513.5.2, Testing of leakage area, "fire code official" shall be deleted and "fire protection subcode official" shall be inserted.

5. Chapter 6 of the mechanical subcode, entitled "Duct Systems," is amended as follows:

i. Section 602.2.1, Materials in plenums, is amended to modify Exception 3 to read: "This section shall not apply to materials exposed within plenums in one-and two-family dwellings. Wire exposed in plenums of one-and two-family dwellings shall conform to the requirements of the electrical subcode."

ii. Section 602.2.1.1, Wiring, is deleted in its entirety and substitute the following language: "Wiring, cable and raceways installed in a plenum shall be listed and installed in accordance with the electrical subcode."

6. Chapter 8 of the mechanical subcode, entitled "Chimneys and Vents," shall be amended as follows:

i. In Section 801.18.2, Flue passageways, in the first sentence, "free of obstructions and combustible deposits" shall be deleted and "inspected in accordance with the chimney verification program as provided for in 5:23-2.20(d) " shall be inserted.

7. Chapter 9 of the mechanical subcode, entitled "Specific Appliances, Fireplaces and Solid Fuel Burning Equipment," shall be amended as follows:

i. In Section 908.5, Water supply, "International Plumbing Code," shall be deleted and "plumbing subcode (5:23-3.15)" shall be inserted.

ii. In Section 923.1, Small ceramic kilns, "Section 105.2" shall be deleted in two locations and "N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.7" shall be inserted.

iii. In Item 4 of Section 928.1, General, "International Plumbing Code," shall be deleted and "plumbing subcode (5:23-3.15)" shall be inserted.

8. Chapter 10 of the mechanical subcode, entitled "Boilers, Water Heaters and Pressure Vessels," shall be amended as follows:

i. Section 1001.1, Scope, is amended to replace the words "installation, alteration, and repair of boilers," with the words "installation and alteration of boilers."

ii. In Section 1002.1, General, in the first and third sentence, "International Plumbing Code," shall be deleted and "plumbing subcode (5:23-3.15)" shall be inserted.

iii. In Section 1002.2, Water heaters utilized for space heating, "International Plumbing Code," shall be deleted and "plumbing subcode (5:23-3.15)" shall be inserted.

iv. Section 1002.3, Supplemental water-heating devices, "International Plumbing Code," shall be deleted and "plumbing subcode (5:23-3.15)" shall be inserted.

v. In Section 1008.2, Discharge, "International Plumbing Code," shall be deleted and "plumbing subcode (5:23-3.15)" shall be inserted.

9. Chapter 11 of the mechanical subcode, entitled "Refrigeration," is amended as follows:

i. Section 1101.1, Scope, the words "and repair" shall be deleted.

ii. Section 1102.2.2, Purity, is deleted in its entirety.

iii. Add new Section 1103.1.1, Acceptable refrigerants, as follows: "Only refrigerants listed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), pursuant to the Significant New Alternatives Program (SNAP) under section 612 of the Clean Air Act Amendments and those listed by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) pursuant to the Air Pollution Control Act, P.L. 1954, c. 212 (N.J.S.A. 26:2C-1 et seq.), as acceptable substitutes for the particular use shall be permitted."

iv. Section 1111, Periodic testing, is deleted.

10. Chapter 12 of the mechanical subcode, entitled "Hydronic Piping," is amended as follows:

i. In Section 1210.8.1, Protection of potable water, "International Plumbing Code," shall be deleted and "plumbing subcode (5:23-3.15)" shall be inserted.

11. Chapter 13 of the mechanical subcode, entitled "Fuel Oil Piping And Storage," is amended as follows:

i. Section 1301.2, Storage and piping systems, is amended to add the following sentence: "Where the tank is of a size and type that is subject to the Department of Environmental Protection rules for the installation of Underground Storage Tanks at N.J.A.C. 7:14B, those rules shall apply."

12. Chapter 15 of the mechanical subcode, entitled "Referenced Standards," shall be amended as follows:

i. Under the heading "ICC," amend the following title:

(1) Delete " IPC--21, International Plumbing Code."

13. Appendix A of the mechanical subcode entitled "Chimney Connector Pass-Throughs" is informative and is not part of the code.

14. Appendix B of the mechanical subcode entitled "Recommended Permit Fee Schedule," is deleted in its entirety.

N.J. Admin. Code § 5:23-3.20

Amended by 47 N.J.R. 2352(b), effective 9/21/2015

Amended by 51 N.J.R. 1399(a), effective 9/3/2019

Amended by 54 N.J.R. 1707(a), effective 9/6/2022

Administrative Change, 55 N.J.R. 1385(a), effective 6/20/2023

Administrative Change, 56 N.J.R. 1708(a), effective 7/23/2024