1217.8 Poured Floor Structural Concrete Slab Sys-
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.
tems (Thermal Mass). Where tubing is embedded in a structural concrete slab such tubes shall not be larger in outside dimension than one-third of the overall thickness of the slab and shall be spaced not less than three diameters on center except within 10 feet (3048 mm) of the distribution manifold. The top of the tubing shall be embedded in the slab not less than 2 inches (51 mm) below the surface.
1217.8.1 Slab Penetration Tube and Joint Protec- tion. Where embedded in or installed under a concrete slab, tubing shall be protected from damage at penetrations of the slab with protective sleeving recommended by the tubing manufacturer. The space between the tubing and sleeve shall be sealed with an approved sealant compatible with the tubing. The tubing at the location of an expansion joint in a concrete slab shall be encased in protective pipe sleeving that covers the tubing not less than 12 inches (305 mm) on either side of the expansion joint or the tubing shall be installed below the slab. 1217.8.2 Insulation. Where a poured concrete radiant floor system is installed in contact with the soil, insulation recommended by the manufacturer for such application and with a minimum R-value of 5 shall be placed between the soil and the concrete; extend to the outside edges of the concrete; and be placed on all slab edges. 1217.8.2.1 California Energy Code Insulation Requirements for Heated Slab Floors. See California Energy Code Section 110.8(g) for addi- tional insulation requirements for heated slab floors – a higher level of insulation is required for Climate Zone 16, and more detailed installation require- ments apply to all climate zones. 1217.8.3 Types of Tube Fasteners. Tubing that is embedded within concrete shall be fastened according to manufacturer’s instructions. Unless prohibited by the manufacturer, tube fasteners include the following:
(1) Ties made of wire, typically fastened to anchors such as rebar or wire mesh.
(2) Plastic tube/cable ties, typically nylon, fastened to anchors such as rebar or wire mesh.
(3) Staples made of metal or plastic or combination thereof, without sharp edges that would harm tube, fastened to insulation or subfloor.
(4) Plastic rails with integrated tube holders intended for the specific type of tube.
(5) Insulation sheets with integrated knobs for holding the specific type of tube and intended for this application.
(6) Other fasteners recommended by the manufacturer. 1217.8.4 Spacing of Tube Fasteners. The maximum spacing between tube fasteners within a concrete floor shall not exceed the spacing specified by the manufacturer or, in the absence of manufacturer’s specifications, 2.5 feet (762 mm).
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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
▸Chapter 12 — HYDRONICS
Overview- 1201.1 Applicability. This chapter shall apply to hydronic
- 1201.2 Insulation. Surfaces within reach of building occupants…
- 1201.3 Water Hammer Protection. The piping system
- 1201.4 Terminal Units. Terminal units, valves, and flow
- 1201.5 Return-Water Low-Temperature Protection.
- 1201.6 Heat Transfer Fluid Quality. Heat transfer fluid
- 1201.7 Heat Emitters. Heat emitters shall be installed in
- 1201.8 Mechanical Devices. Where listed mechanical
- 1201.9 Flexible Connectors. Listed flexible connectors
- 1201.10 Freeze Protection. Hydronic systems and components sha…
- 1202.1 Prohibited Sources. Hydronic systems or parts
- 1202.2 Chemical Injection. Additives or chemicals shall
- 1202.3 Compatibility. Fluids used in hydronic systems
- 1203.1 Heat Source. The heat source shall be sized to the
- 1203.2 Dual Purpose Water Heaters. Water heaters utilized for …
- 1203.3 Tankless Water Heaters. Tankless water heaters
- 1204.1 General. In buildings where potable water and nonpotabl…
- 1204.2 Color and Information. Each system shall be identified …
- 1204.3 Potable Water. Potable water systems shall be identifie…
- 1204.4 Nonpotable Water. Nonpotable water systems
- 1204.5 Location of Piping Identification. The background
- 1204.6 Flow Directions. Flow directions shall be indicated
- 1204.7 Heat Transfer Fluid. Hydronic piping shall be identifie…
- 1204.8 Identification of Chemical Additives. In systems
- 1205.1 Operating Instructions. Operating and maintenance
- 1205.2 Pressure Testing. System piping and components
- 1205.3 Flushing. Heating and cooling sources, system piping an…
- 1206.1 General. Each closed hydronic system shall be protected…
- 1206.2 Discharge Piping. The discharge piping serving a
- 1207.1 General. Heating appliances, equipment, safety and
- 1207.2 Boilers. Boilers and their control systems shall comply…
- 1207.3 Dual Purpose Water Heaters. Water heaters used
- 1207.4 Solar Heat Collector Systems. Solar water heating syste…
- 1207.5 Heat Pumps. Heat pumps shall comply with UL
- 1208.1 General. Circulators and pumps shall be selected for
- 1210.2 Expansion and Contraction. Pipe and tubing shall
- 1210.3 Hangers and Supports. Pipe and tubing shall be
- 1210.4 Oxygen Diffusion Corrosion. PEX and PE-RT tubing in clo…
- 1211.1 General. Joints and connections shall be of an
- 1211.2 Pipe Bends. Pipe bends shall be formed in accordance wi…
- 1208.2 Mounting. The circulator or pump shall be installed
- 1208.3 Sizing. The selection and sizing of a circulator or
- 1209.1 General. An expansion tank shall be installed in each
- 1209.2 Installation. Expansion tanks shall be accessible for
- 1209.3 Closed-Type Tanks. Closed-type expansion tanks
- 1209.4 Sizing. Expansion tanks shall be sized to accept the
- 1210.1 Piping, Tubing, and Fittings. Hydronic pipe and
- 1211.4 CPVC/AL/CPVC Plastic Pipe and Joints. Joints
- 1211.5 Copper or Copper Alloy Pipe and Tubing.
- 1211.3 Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC) Pipe.
- 1211.6 Cross-Linked Polyethylene (PEX) Pipe. Joints
- 1211.7 Cross-Linked Polyethylene/Aluminum/Cross-
- 1211.8 Ductile Iron Pipe. Joints between ductile iron pipe
- 1211.9 Polyethylene (PE) Plastic Pipe/Tubing. Joints
- 1211.11 Polyethylene of Raised Temperature (PE-RT).
- 1211.12 Polypropylene (PP) Pipe. Joints between
- 1211.13 Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Pipe. Joints between
- 1211.10 Polyethylene/Aluminum/Polyethylene (PE-
- 1212.1 General. Valves shall be rated for the operating temper…
- 1212.2 Where Required. Valves shall be installed in
- 1212.3 Heat Exchanger. Isolation valves shall be installed
- 1212.4 Pressure Vessels. Isolation valves shall be installed
- 1212.5 Pressure Reducing Valves. Isolation valves shall
- 1212.6 Equipment, Components, and Appliances.
- 1212.7 Expansion Tank. Isolation valves shall be installed
- 1212.8 Flow Balancing Valves. Where flow balancing
- 1212.9 Mixing or Temperature Control Valves. Where
- 1212.10 Thermosiphoning. An approved type check valve
- 1212.11 Air Removal Device or Air Vents. Isolation valves
- 1212.12 District Energy and Central Utility Systems.
- 1213.1 Water Temperature Controls. A heat source or system of …
- 1211.14 Steel Pipe and Tubing. Joints between steel pipe
- 1211.15 Stainless Steel Pipe and Joints. Joining methods for s…
- 1211.16 Joints Between Various Materials. Joints
- 1213.2 Operating Steam Controls. A steam heat source or
- 1213.3 Occupied Spaces. A temperature-sensing device
- 1213.4 Simultaneous Operation. Radiant heating and cooling sys…
- 1213.5 Temperature Reading. A temperature gauge or
- 1214.1 Balancing. A means for balancing distribution
- 1214.2 Low-Water Control. Direct-fired heat sources
- 1214.3 Flow-Sensing Devices. A direct-fired heat source,
- 1214.4 Automatic Makeup Fluid. Automatic makeup
- 1214.5 Differential Pressure Regulation. Provisions
- 1214.6 Air-Removal Device. Provision shall be made for
- 1214.7 Air-Separation Device. To assist with the removal
- 1214.8 Secondary Loops. Secondary loops that are isolated from…
- 1215.1 General. Based on the system design, the heat-distribut…
- 1215.2 Installation. Heat-distribution units shall be
- 1215.3 Balancing. System loops shall be installed so that
- 1215.4 Heat Transfer Fluid. The ignitable flash point of
- 1216.1 Steam Traps. For other than one-pipe steam systems, eac…
- 1216.2 Sloping for Two-Pipe System. Two-pipe steam
- 1216.3 Sloping for One-Pipe System. One-pipe steam
- 1216.4 Automatic Air Vents. Steam automatic air vents
- 1216.5 Condensate Flow. System piping shall be installed
- 1216.6 Steam-Distribution Piping. Where multi-row elements are…
- 1217.1 Installation. Radiant heating and cooling systems
- 1217.2 Radiant Under-Floor Heating. Floor finished surface tem…
- 1217.3 Radiant Cooling Systems. Radiant cooling systems shall …
- 1217.4 Chilled Water Supply/Distribution Piping.
- 1217.5 Tube Placement. Hydronic radiant system tubing
- 1217.6 Tube Length. The maximum loop length of continuous tubi…
- 1217.7 Tube Identification. For the purpose of system balancin…
- 1217.8 Poured Floor Structural Concrete Slab Sys-
- 1217.9 Joist Systems and Subfloors. Where tubing is
- 1217.10 Wall and Ceiling Panels. Where radiant tubing is
- 1217.11 Radiant Heating and Cooling Panels. Radiant
- 1218.1 General. Systems utilizing heat exchangers shall
- 1219.1 General. Domestic hot-water heat exchangers,
- 1220.1 Use of Chemical Additives and Corrosive Flu-
- 1220.2 Types of Tube Fasteners. Tubing that is embedded within…
- 1220.3 Spacing of Tube Fasteners. The maximum spacing between …
- 1220.4 Snow and Ice Melt Controls. An automatic operating cont…
- 1220.5 Hydronic Makeup Air Units. Hydronic makeup
- 1221.1 General. Piping, fittings, and connections shall be
- 1221.2 Embedded Piping Materials and Joints. Piping embedded i…
- 1221.3 Pressure Testing. Piping to be embedded in concrete sha…
- 1221.4 System Drainage. Hydronic piping systems shall
- 1221.5 Condensate Drainage. Condensate drains from
- 1221.6 Hydronic Fluid Disposal. Hydronic system fluids
- 1221.7 Clearance to Combustibles. Hydronic piping
- 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