402.3 Mechanical Ventilation. [Not permitted for
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.
OSHPD 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5] Where natural ventilation is not permitted by this section or the California Building Standards Code, mechanical ventilation systems shall be designed, constructed, and installed to provide a method of supply air and either return air or exhaust air, or both, as applicable. Mechan
| TABLE 402.2.1.6(A)(2) MINIMUM OPENABLE AREAS: TWO VERTICALLY SPACED OPENINGS* [ASHRAE 62.1: TABLE 6-6] | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vbz/Az ≤ (CFM/ft2) |
TOTAL OPENABLE AREAS IN ZONE AS A PERCENTAGE OFAz |
TOTAL OPENABLE AREAS IN ZONE AS A PERCENTAGE OFAz |
TOTAL OPENABLE AREAS IN ZONE AS A PERCENTAGE OFAz |
TOTAL OPENABLE AREAS IN ZONE AS A PERCENTAGE OFAz |
TOTAL OPENABLE AREAS IN ZONE AS A PERCENTAGE OFAz |
TOTAL OPENABLE AREAS IN ZONE AS A PERCENTAGE OFAz |
| Vbz/Az ≤ (CFM/ft2) |
Hvs ≤ 8.2 ft | Hvs ≤ 8.2 ft | 8.2 ft <****Hvs ≤ 16.4 ft | 8.2 ft <****Hvs ≤ 16.4 ft | 16.4 ft <****Hvs | 16.4 ft <****Hvs |
| Vbz/Az ≤ (CFM/ft2) |
As/Al ≤ 0.5 |
As/Al > 0.5 |
As/Al ≤ 0.5 |
As/Al > 0.5 |
As/Al ≤ 0.5 |
As/Al > 0.5 |
| 0.2 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.6 |
| 0.4 | 4.0 | 2.6 | 2.5 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 1.2 |
| 0.6 | 6.0 | 3.9 | 3.8 | 2.5 | 2.7 | 1.7 |
| 0.8 | 8.0 | 5.2 | 5.0 | 3.3 | 3.6 | 2.3 |
| 1.1 | 11.0 | 7.1 | 6.9 | 4.5 | 4.9 | 3.2 |
For SI unit: 1 cubic foot per minute = 0.0283 m [3] /min, 1 cubic foot per minute per square foot = 5.08 [(L/s)/m [2] ], 1 square foot = 0.0929 m [2], 1 foot = 304.8 mm,
Where:
Vbz = breathing zone outdoor airflow, per Table 402.1. Az = zone floor area, the net occupiable floor area of the ventilation zone. Hvs = vertical separation between the center of the top and bottom openings’ free operable area; in case of multiple horizontally spaced pairs of openings, use shortest distance encountered. As = openable area of smallest opening (top or bottom); in case of multiple horizontally spaced pairs of top-and-bottom openings, use aggregated areas. Al = openable area of largest opening (top or bottom); in case of multiple horizontally spaced pairs of top-and-bottom openings, use aggregated areas.
Volumetric airflow rates used to estimate required operable area are based on the following:
Dry-air density of 0.075 lbda/ft [3] (1.2 kgda/m [3] ) at a barometric pressure of 1 atm (101.3 kPa) and an air temperature of 70°F (21°C)
Temperature difference between indoors and outdoors of 1.8°F (1°C)
Gravity constant of 32.2 ft/s [2] (9.81m/s [2] )
Window discharge coefficient of 0.6
ical ventilation systems shall include controls, manual or automatic, that enable the fan system to operate wherever the spaces served are occupied. The system shall be designed to maintain minimum outdoor airflow as required by Section 403.0 under any load conditions.
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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
Overview- 401.1 Applicability. This chapter contains requirements for
- 401.2 Indoor Swimming Pools. The design of ventilation
- 401.3 Filters. [BSC-CG & DSA-SS] In mechanically ven-
- 402.1 Occupiable Spaces. Occupiable spaces listed in
- 402.2 Natural Ventilation Procedure. [Not permitted
- 402.3 Mechanical Ventilation. [Not permitted for
- 402.4 Outdoor Air Intakes. Ventilation system outdoor
- 403.1 General. The design outdoor air intake flow rate for
- 403.2 Zone Calculations. Ventilation zone parameters
- 403.3 Single-Zone Systems. For ventilation systems
- 403.4 One Hundred Percent Outdoor Air Systems.
- 403.5 Multiple-Zone Recirculating Systems. For ventilation sys…
- 403.6 Design for Varying Operating Conditions. Ventilation sys…
- 403.7 Exhaust Ventilation. Exhaust airflow shall be provided i…
- 403.8 Dynamic Reset. The system shall be permitted to be
- 403.9 Air Classification and Recirculation. Air shall be
- 403.10 Air Balance. All mechanical ventilation systems
- 404.1 System Ventilation Efficiency. The system ventilation ef…
- 404.2 Average Outdoor Air Fraction. The average outdoor air fr…
- 404.3 Zone Ventilation Efficiency. The zone ventilation
- 405.1 General. Rooms or occupied spaces within residential occ…
- 405.2 Ventilation Air Rate. The required mechanical ventilatio…
- 405.3 Bathroom Exhaust. A mechanical exhaust directly
- 405.4 Kitchen Exhaust. A mechanical exhaust system that
- 405.5 Ventilation Openings. Occupiable spaces shall be
- 406.0 Evaporative Cooling System for Health Care
- 407.1 General.
- 407.2 Outdoor Air Intakes and Exhaust Outlets.
- 407.3 Air Balance.
- 407.4 Air Circulation.
- 407.5 Variable Air Volume.
- 407.6 Economizers.
- 407.7 Unoccupied Turndown.
- 408.3 Filters for Skilled Nursing Facilities, Intermedi-
- 408.4 Filters for Outpatient Facilities.
- 408.5 Filters for Recirculating Room Units.
- 409.1 Ducts which penetrate construction, intended for X-
- 409.2 Duct linings and their use shall meet the requirements
- 409.3 The anchorage and supporting structural elements for
- 410.1 Laboratory Ventilating Systems. Laboratory ven-
- 410.2 Exhaust Hoods and Safety Cabinets. Hoods and
- 410.3 Laboratory Fume Hoods. Laboratory fume hoods
- 407.8 Building Pressurization.
- 408.1 General. Filter efficiencies shall be certified by the
- 408.2 Filters for Hospitals.
- 411.1 The air from dining areas may be used to ventilate the
- 412.1 Boiler, heater and electrical equipment rooms shall be
- 412.2 Floor surfaces in occupied spaces above such rooms
- 413.1 Rooms in areas where excessive heat or moisture is
- 413.2 Kitchen, morgues and laundries located inside a hos-
- 414.1 Exhaust Systems. A separate, dedicated exhaust
- 414.2 Air Distribution. The supply outlets and exhaust
- 415.1 Air Distribution. The supply outlets and exhaust and
- 416.1 An alarm system which is based on static pressure con-
- 416.2 Other acceptable alarm systems will be allowed when
- 416.3 [OSHPD 4] For correctional treatment centers, the
- 416.4 Prior to acceptance of the rooms, the alarm system
- 417.0 Testing and Balancing Airborne Infection Isola-
- 418.1 Air Changes. The ETO sterilization equipment room
- 418.2 Exhaust Requirements.
- 418.3 Ventilation Requirements.
- 418.4 Gas Valves. Installation of gas line hand valves at the
- 418.5 Alarm Systems. An Audible and visual alarm system
- 419.1 Formula Preparation Area. Air shall be supplied
- 419.2 Treatment Area/Room. Air shall be supplied over
- 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
- 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