Issue DS 2017-051: The petitioner Rhiannon Morris of Midway Services Inc. is seeking a declaratory statement on whether poly or brass water submeters installed in plenum-rated spaces are required to comply with Section 602.2.1 which refers to the testing and plenum requirements for building materials?

Background:

Midway Services, Inc. is a national water, gas and electric utility submetering firm who supply and install utility submetering systems in new construction and pre-existing multi-family dwellings such as apartment or condominium buildings. Utility submeters may be installed by Midway Services, Inc. or another licensed plumbing contractor and can sometimes be requested to be installed in plenum-rated spaces during new construction of a multi-family dwelling. As a local supplier and installer of such equipment, Midway Services, Inc. is seeking clarification on Chapter 602.2.1, to ensure the equipment supplied is being supplied and installed in compliance with the intent of this code, and, further, to seek a uniform interpretation so that the work being performed by Midway Services and/or licensed plumbing contractors are being uniformly interpreted and implemented for the developer and/or owner of the multi-family dwelling.

5^th Edition (2014) Florida Building Code, Mechanical

602.1 General. Supply, return, exhaust, relief and ventilation air plenums shall be limited to uninhabited crawl spaces, areas above a ceiling or below the floor, attic spaces and mechanical equipment rooms. Plenums shall be limited to one fire area. Fuel-fired appliances shall not be installed within a plenum.

602.2 Construction. Plenum enclosures shall be constructed of materials permitted for the type of construction classification of the building. The use of gypsum boards to form plenums shall be limited to systems where the air temperatures do not exceed 125ºF (52ºC) and the building and mechanical system design conditions are such that the gypsum board surface temperature will be maintained above the airstream dew-point temperature. Air plenums formed by gypsum boards shall not be incorporated in air-handling systems utilizing evaporative coolers.

602.2.1 Materials within plenums. Except as required by Sections 602.2.1.1 through 602.2.1.5, materials within plenums shall be noncombustible or shall be listed and labeled as having a flame spread index of not more than 25 and a smoke-developed index of not more than 50 when tested in accordance with ASTM E 84 or UL 723.

Exceptions:

1. Rigid and flexible ducts and connectors shall conform to Section 603.

2. Duct coverings, linings, tape and connectors shall conform to Sections 603 and 604.

3. This section shall not apply to materials exposed within plenums in one- and two-family dwellings.

4. This section shall not apply to smoke detectors.

5. Combustible materials fully enclosed within one

of the following:

5.1. Continuous noncombustible raceways or enclosures.

5.2. Approved gypsum board assemblies.

5.3. Materials listed and labeled for installation within a plenum.

6. Materials in Group H, Division 5 fabrication areas and the areas above and below the fabrication area that share a common air recirculation path with the fabrication area.

602.2.1.1 Wiring. Combustible electrical wires and cables and optical fiber cables exposed within a plenum shall be listed as having a maximum peak optical density

of 0.50 or less, an average optical density of 0.15 or less, and a maximum flame spread distance of 5 feet (1524 mm) or less when tested in accordance with NFPA 262 or shall be installed in metal raceways or metal sheathed cable. Combustible optical fiber and

communication raceways exposed within a plenum shall be listed as having a maximum peak optical density of 0.5 or less, an average optical density of 0.15 or less, and a maximum flame spread distance of 5 feet (1524 mm) or less when tested in accordance with ANSI/UL 2024. Only plenum-rated wires and cables shall be installed in plenum-rated raceways. Electrical wires and cables, optical fiber cables and raceways addressed in this section shall be listed and labeled and shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 70.

602.2.1.2 Fire sprinkler piping. Plastic fire sprinkler piping exposed within a plenum shall be used only in wet pipe systems and shall have a peak optical density

not greater than 0.50, an average optical density not greater than 0.15, and a flame spread of not greater than 5 feet (1524 mm) when tested in accordance with UL

1887. Piping shall be listed and labeled.

602.2.1.3 Pneumatic tubing. Combustible pneumatic tubing exposed within a plenum shall have a peak optical density not greater than 0.50, an average optical

density not greater than 0.15, and a flame spread of not greater than 5 feet (1524 mm) when tested in accordance with UL 1820. Combustible pneumatic tubing shall be listed and labeled.

602.2.1.4 Electrical equipment in plenums. Electrical equipment exposed within a plenum shall comply with Sections 602.2.1.4.1 and 602.2.1.4.2.

Staff Analysis:

Question: Are poly or brass water submeters installed in plenum-rated spaces required to comply with Chapter 602.2.1 which refers to testing and plenum requirements for building materials? In other words, must water submeters be plenum-rated?

Answer:

Option #1/Staff: Yes, as per Section 602.2.1 of the 5^th Edition (2014) Florida Building Code, Mechanical, in order for the product in question to be installed in plenum-rated spaces, it must be noncombustible or it must be listed and labeled as having a flame spread index of not more than 25 and a smoke-developed index of not more than 50 when tested in accordance with ASTM E 84 or UL 723.

Option #2/Petitioner: Petitioner respectfully believes the answer to the question outlined above is “No”. If the answer is “NO,” then, by default, poly or brass water submeters installed in plenum-rated spaces are not required to comply with Chapter 602.2.1 or required to meet a maximum flame spread and smoke-developed index in accordance with ASTM E84 or UL 723 testing standards.