1106.4 Natural Ventilation — 2025 California Mechanical Code
California Mechanical Code (Title 24, Part 4) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-09-25 · California
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Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.
Cite as: 2025 California Mechanical Code (Title 24, Part 4) § 1106.4 · Effective January 1, 2026 · Official source: Building Standards Commission
When a refrigerating system is located outdoors more than 20 feet (6096 mm) from building openings and is enclosed by a penthouse, lean-to, or other open structure, natural or mechanical ventilation shall be provided. The requirements for such natural ventilation shall be in accordance with the following:
(1) The free-aperture cross section for the ventilation of a machinery room shall be not less than as determined in accordance with Equation 1106.4.
F = √ G (Equation 1106.4)
Where:
F = The free opening area, ft [2] (m [2] ).
G = The mass of refrigerant in the largest system, any part of which is located in the machinery room, pounds.
For SI units: 1 square foot = 0.0929 m [2], 1 pound = 0.453 kg
(2) Locations of the gravity ventilation openings shall be based on the relative density of the refrigerant to air.
[ASHRAE 15:8.14]
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