1104.6 Group A2L Refrigerants for Human Comfort.
California Mechanical Code (Title 24, Part 4) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-09-10 · California
Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.
High-probability systems using Group A2L refrigerants for human comfort applications shall comply with this section.
[ASHRAE 15:7.6]
1104.6.1 Refrigerant Concentration Limits. Occupied spaces shall comply with the releasable charge limitations of the equipment listing and ASHRAE 15. Unoccupied spaces with refrigerant containing equipment, not including continuous piping or tubing, shall comply with the releasable charge limitations of the equipment listing or Section 1104.6.4. {ASHRAE 15:7.6.1-7.6.1.2}
1104.6.2 Listing and Installation Requirements. Refrigeration systems shall be listed and shall be installed in accordance with listing, the manufacturer’s instructions, and any markings on the equipment restricting the installation. [ASHRAE 15:7.6.2]
1104.6.2.1 Nameplate. The nameplate required by Section 1115.5 shall include a symbol indicating that a flammable refrigerant is used, as specified by the product listing. [ASHRAE 15:7.6.2.1]
1104.6.2.2 Labeling. A label indicating a flammable refrigerant is used shall be placed adjacent to service ports and other locations where service involving components containing refrigerant is performed, as specified by the product listing.
[ASHRAE 15:7.6.2.2]
1104.6.2.3 Refrigerant Detection Systems. Refrigerant detection systems shall be in accordance with the listing and ASHRAE 15.
REFRIGERATION
1104.6.2.4 Refrigerant Concentration Above Limit. When the refrigerant detection system senses a refrigerant exceeding its setpoint, the following actions shall be taken:
(1) The supply air fan of the equipment shall activate with a minimum airflow rate specified by the manufacturer.
(2) Turn off the compressor and all other electrical devices, excluding the control power transformers, control systems, and the supply air fan. The supply air fan shall continue to operate for at least five minutes after the refrigerant detection system has sensed a drop in the refrigerant concentration below the value specified in Section 1104.6.6(b).
Exception: The compressor operation shall not be turned off when the compressor operation reduces the leak rate or the total amount of
released refrigerant to the indoor space.
(3) Any device that controls airflow located within the product or in ductwork that supplies air to the occupied space shall be fully open. Any device that controls airflow shall be listed.
(4) Mitigation action required by the equipment listing shall be initiated. {ASHRAE 15:7.6.2.4} 1104.6.3 Ignition Sources Located in Ductwork. Open-flame-producing devices shall not be permanently installed in the ductwork that serves the space. Unclassified electrical devices shall not be located within the ductwork that serves the space. Devices containing hot surfaces exceeding 1290°F (700°C) shall not be located in the ductwork that serves the space unless there is a minimum airflow of 200 ft/min (1.0 m/s) across the heating device(s) and there is proof of airflow before the heating device(s) is energized. [ASHRAE 15:7.6.37.6.3.3]
ce. Unclassified electrical devices shall not be located within the ductwork that serves the space. Devices containing hot surfaces exceeding 1290°F (700°C) shall not be located in the ductwork that serves the space unless there is a minimum airflow of 200 ft/min (1.0 m/s) across the heating device(s) and there is proof of airflow before the heating device(s) is energized. [ASHRAE 15:7.6.37.6.3.3]
1104.6.4 Mechanical Ventilation. When the releasable charge of the refrigeration system exceeds the refrigerant concentration limit specified in Section 1104.6.1, the refrigerant charge and ventilation air flow shall be in accordance with the equipment listing and ASHRAE 15. 1104.6.5 Compressors and Pressure Vessels Located Indoors. For refrigeration compressors and pressure vessels located in an indoor space that is accessible only during service and maintenance, the refrigerant charge shall be in accordance with the equipment listing and ASHRAE 15 .
1104.6.6 Refrigerant Sensors. Refrigerant sensors required by Section 1104.6.2 shall meet the following requirements:
(1) Refrigerant sensors shall be evaluated by the testing laboratory as part of the equipment listing.
(2) Refrigerant sensors shall be located such that refrigerant will be detected if the refrigerating system is operating or not operating.
(a) For refrigerating systems that are connected to the occupied space through ductwork, refrigerant sensors shall be located within the listed equipment.
(b) For refrigerating systems that are directly connected to the occupied space without ductwork, the refrigerant sensor shall be located in the equipment in accordance with the equipment listing. Additional remote refrigerant sensors shall be permitted within the occupied space when included as part of the equipment mitigation system according to manufacturer’s instructions. {ASHRAE 15:7.6.5}
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Ask AI about this code▸Contents — California Mechanical Code (Title 24, Part 4)
- Chapter 1 — GENERAL CODE PROVISIONS
- Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 3 — GENERAL REGULATIONS
- Chapter 4 — VENTILATION AIR
- Chapter 5 — EXHAUST SYSTEMS
- Chapter 6 — DUCT SYSTEMS
- Chapter 7 — COMBUSTION AIR
- Chapter 8 — CHIMNEYS AND VENTS
- Chapter 9 — INSTALLATION OF SPECIFIC APPLIANCES
- Chapter 10 — BOILERS AND PRESSURE VESSELS
▸Chapter 11 — REFRIGERATION
Overview- 1101.1 Applicability. Part I governs the design, installation,
- 1101.2 Equipment. Equipment for refrigerant recovery,
- 1102.1 General. Refrigeration systems using a refrigerant
- 1102.2 Ammonia Refrigeration Systems. Refrigeration
- 1102.3 Refrigerants. The refrigerant used shall be of a type
- 1103.1 Classification of Refrigerants. Refrigerants shall
- 1103.2 Classification of Refrigeration Systems.
- 1103.3 Higher Flammability Refrigerants. Group A3
- 1104.1 System Selection. Refrigeration systems shall be
- 1104.2 Refrigerant Concentration Limit (RCL). The
- 1104.3 Institutional Occupancies. The RCL value
- 1104.4 Industrial Occupancies and Refrigerated
- 1104.5 Flammable Refrigerants. The total of Group A2,
- 1104.6 Group A2L Refrigerants for Human Comfort.
- 1104.7 Applications for Human Comfort and for Non-
- 1104.8 Refrigerant Type and Purity. Refrigerants shall
- 1105.3 Access. An unobstructed readily accessible opening and …
- 1105.4 Illumination and Service Receptacles. In addition to th…
- 1105.5 Ventilation of Rooms Containing Condensing
- 1104.9 Changing Refrigerants. Changes of refrigerant in
- 1105.1 Human Comfort. Cooling systems used for human
- 1105.2 Supports and Anchorage. Supports and anchorage for refr…
- 1105.6 Prohibited Locations. Refrigeration systems or
- 1105.7 Condensate. Condensate from air-cooling coils
- 1105.8 Defrost. Where defrost cycles are required for portions…
- 1105.9 Overflows. Where condensate or defrost liquids are
- 1105.10 Condensate, Defrost, and Overflow Dis-
- 1105.11 Refrigerant Port Protection. Air conditioning
- 1105.12 Storage. Refrigerants and refrigerant oils not
- 1106.1 Where Required. Refrigeration systems shall be
- 1106.2 Refrigeration Machinery Room, General
- 1106.3 Normal Operation. A part of the refrigeration
- 1106.7 Maximum Temperature. Ventilation or mechanical cooling …
- 1106.8 Refrigerant Parts in Air Duct. Joints and refrigerant-c…
- 1106.9 Dimensions. Refrigeration machinery rooms shall
- 1106.10 Exits. Exits shall comply with the building code for
- 1106.11 Machinery Room, A2L and B2L. When required
- 1106.4 Natural Ventilation. When a refrigerating system
- 1106.5 Combustion Air. No open flames that use combustion air …
- 1106.6 Ventilation Intake. Makeup air intakes to replace
- 1107.1 General. In cases specified in the rules of Section
- 1108.1 General. Equipment, piping, ducts, vents, or similar
- 1108.2 Electrical. Electrical equipment and installations shall
- 1108.3 Emergency Shutoff. A clearly identified emergency shuto…
- 1108.4 Installation, Maintenance, and Testing. Detection and a…
- 1108.5 Emergency Pressure Control System. Where
- 1109.1 Materials. Materials used in the construction and
- 1109.2 Joints. Iron or steel pipe joints shall be of approved
- 1109.3 Penetration of Piping. Refrigerant piping shall not
- 1109.4 Location of Refrigeration Piping. Refrigerant
- 1109.5 Underground Piping. Refrigerant piping placed
- 1109.6 Support. In addition to the requirements of Section
- 1109.7 Pipe Enclosure. Refrigerant piping and tubing
- 1109.8 Visual Inspection. Refrigerant piping and joints
- 1109.9 Condensation. Piping and fittings that convey
- 1109.10 Identification. Piping shall be in accordance with
- 1110.1 More than 6.6 Pounds of Refrigerant. Systems
- 1110.2 More than 110 Pounds of Refrigerant. Systems
- 1110.3 Support. Stop valves installed in copper refrigerant
- 1110.4 Access. Stop valves required by Section 1110.0 shall
- 1110.5 Identification. Stop valves shall be identified by tagg…
- 1111.1 Where Required. Pressure-limiting devices complying wit…
- 1111.2 Setting. Pressure limiting devices shall be set in
- 1111.3 Location. Stop valves shall not be installed between
- 1111.4 Emergency Stop. Activation of a pressure-limiting
- 1112.1 General. Refrigeration systems shall be protected by
- 1112.2 Positive Displacement Compressor. A positive
- 1112.3 Liquid-Containing Portions of Systems. Liquid-containin…
- 1112.4 Evaporators. Heat exchanger coils located downstream, o…
- 1112.5 Hydrostatic Expansion. Pressure rise resulting
- 1112.6 Actuation. Pressure-relief devices shall be direct
- 1112.7 Stop Valves Prohibited. Stop valves shall not be
- 1112.8 Location. Pressure-relief devices shall be connected
- 1112.9 Materials. The seats and discs of pressure-relief
- 1112.10 Pressure-Relief Valve Setting. Pressure-relief
- 1112.11 Discharge from Pressure-Relief Devices.
- 1112.12 Discharge Piping. The piping used for pressure-relief …
- 1112.13 Rating of Pressure-Relief Device. The rated
- 1112.14 Rating of Rupture Members and Fusible
- 1113.1 General. Pressure vessels shall be provided with
- 1113.2 Type of Protection. Pressure vessels with an internal g…
- 1113.3 Discharging into Lowside of System. For pressure-relief…
- 1113.4 Parallel Pressure-Relief Devices. Two or more
- 1113.5 Discharge Capacity. The minimum required discharge capa…
- 1113.6 Three-Way Valve. Pressure vessels of 10 cubic feet
- 1114.1 General. Systems containing other than Group A1 or
- 1114.2 Design Requirements. Flaring devices shall be
- 1114.3 Testing. Flaring systems shall be tested to demonstrate…
- 1115.1 General. In addition to labels required elsewhere in
- 1115.2 Volume and Type. A condenser, receiver, absorber,
- 1115.3 Permanent Sign. In a refrigeration machinery
- 1115.4 Marking of Pressure-Relief Devices. Pressurerelief valv…
- 1115.5 Nameplate. Each self-contained system and each
- 1116.1 Factory Tests. Refrigerant-containing parts of unit
- 1116.2 Field Tests. Refrigerant-containing parts of a system t…
- 1116.3 Test Gases. Tests shall be performed with dry nitrogen …
- 1116.4 Declaration. A dated declaration of test shall be
- 1116.5 Brine Systems. Brine-containing portions of a system sh…
- 1117.1 Inside Dimensions 6 Inches or Less. Pressure
- 1117.2 Inside Dimensions More than 6 Inches. Pressure vessels …
- 1117.3 Pressure Vessels for 15 psig or Less. Pressure
- 1118.1 General. Refrigeration systems shall be operated and
- 1119.1 Applicability. Cooling towers, evaporative condensers, …
- 1120.1 General. Cooling towers, evaporative condensers,
- 1121.1 General. Drains, overflows, and blow-down provisions sh…
- 1122.1 General. Chemical treatment systems shall comply
- 1122.2 Automated Control of Cycles of Concentra-
- 1123.1 General. Cooling towers, evaporative condensers,
- 1124.1 General. Electrical systems shall be in accordance
- 1125.1 General. Equipment containing refrigerants as a part
- 1126.1 General. Cooling towers, evaporative condensers,
- 1127.1 General. Cooling towers, evaporative coolers and
- Chapter 12 — HYDRONICS
- Chapter 13 — FUEL GAS PIPING
- Chapter 14 — PROCESS PIPING
- Chapter 15 — SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
- Chapter 16 — STATIONARY POWER PLANTS
- Chapter 17 — GEOTHERMAL ENERGY SYSTEMS AND AMBIENT TEMPERATURE…
- Chapter 18 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
- Appendix A — RESIDENTIAL PLAN EXAMINER REVIEW FORM FOR HVAC SY…
- Appendix B — PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED TO PLACE GAS EQUIPMENT …
- Appendix C — INSTALLATION AND TESTING OF OIL (LIQUID) FUEL-FIR…
- Appendix D — FUEL SUPPLY: MANUFACTURED/MOBILE HOME PARKS AND R…
- Appendix E — SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
- Appendix F — SIZING OF VENTING SYSTEMS AND OUTDOOR COMBUSTION …
- Appendix G — EXAMPLE CALCULATION OF OUTDOOR AIR RATE
- Appendix H — PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Appendix I — INDOOR HORTICULTURAL FACILITIES
- Appendix J — CLEAN AIR DELIVERY