1112.2 Positive Displacement Compressor. A positive
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.
displacement compressor with a stop valve in the discharge connection shall be equipped with a pressure-relief device that is sized, and with a pressure setting, in accordance with the compressor manufacturer to prevent rupture of the compressor or to prevent the pressure from increasing to more than 10 percent above the maximum allowable working pressure of any other component located in the discharge line between the compressor and the stop valve or in accordance with Section 1113.5, whichever is larger. The pressure-relief device shall discharge into the low-pressure side of the system or in accordance with Section 1112.11.
Exception: Hermetic refrigerant motor-compressors that are listed and have a displacement not more than 50 cubic feet per minute (1.42 m [3] /min).
The relief device(s) shall be sized based on compressor flow at the following conditions:
(1) For compressors in single-stage systems and high-stage compressors of other systems, the flow shall be calculated based on 50°F (10°C) saturated suction temperature at the compressor suction.
(2) For low-stage or booster compressors in compound refrigerating systems, the compressors that are capable of running only where discharging to the suction of a high-stage compressor, the flow shall be calculated based on the saturated suction temperature equal to the design operating intermediate temperature.
(3) For low-stage compressors in cascade systems, the compressors that are located in the lower-temperature stage(s) of cascade systems, the flow shall be calculated based on the suction pressure being equal to the pressure setpoint of the pressure-relieving devices that protect the lowside of the stage against overpressure.
Exceptions: For Section 1112.2(1), Section 1112.2(2), and Section 1112.2(3), the discharge capacity of the relief device shall be permitted to be the minimum regulated flow rate of the compressor where the following conditions are met:
(1) The compressor is equipped with capacity regulation.
(2) Capacity regulation actuates to a flow at not less than 90 percent of the pressure-relief device setting.
(3) A pressure-limiting device is installed and set in accordance with the requirements of Section 1111.0.
[ASHRAE 15:9.8]
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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