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Earlier editions: 20222019

Chapter 4 — VENTILATION AIR

402.4 Outdoor Air Intakes. Ventilation system outdoor

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.

air intakes shall be designed in accordance with Section 402.4.1 through Section 402.4.5. [ASHRAE 62.1:5.5]

402.4.1 Location. Outdoor air intakes (including openings that are required as part of a natural ventilation system) shall be located such that the shortest distance from the intake to any specific potential outdoor contaminant source listed in Table 402.4.1 shall be equal to or greater than the following:

(1) The separation distance in Table 402.4.1 or

(2) The calculation methods in ASHRAE 62.1 Normative Appendix B and shall comply with all other requirements of this section. [ASHRAE 62.1:5.5.1]

VENTILATION AIR

TABLE 402.4.1

AIR INTAKE MINIMUM SEPARATION DISTANCE

[ASHRAE 62.1:TABLE 5-1]

OBJECT MINIMUM
DISTANCE
(feet)


Class 2 air exhaust/relief outlet
10


Class 3 air exhaust/relief outlet
15


Class 4 air exhaust/relief outlet
30


Cooling tower exhaust
25

Cooling tower intake or basin
15

Driveway, street, or parking place
5


Garage entry, automobile loading area, or drive-in
queue
15

Garbage storage/pick-up area, dumpsters
15


Plumbing vents terminating at least 3 feet above the
level of the outdoor air intake
3


Plumbing vents terminating less than 3 feet above
the level of the outdoor air intake
10


Roof, landscaped grade, or other surface directly
below intake
1


Thoroughfare with high traffic volume
25


Truck loading area or dock, bus parking/idling area
25


Vents, chimneys, and flues from combustion appli-
ances and equipment
15

For SI units: 1 foot = 304.8 mm

402.4.1.1 Exhaust/Relief Outlets. Separation criteria for Class 2 and Class 3 exhaust/relief outlets apply to the distance from the outdoor air intakes for one ventilation system to the exhaust and relief outlets for any other ventilation system. [ASHRAE 62.1:5.5.1.1]

402.4.1.2 Fuel-Burning Equipment. The minimum distances relative to fuel-fired appliances shall be as required by NFPA 54/ANSI Z223.1 for fuelgas-burning appliances and equipment, NFPA 31 for oil burning appliances and equipment, and NFPA 211 for other combustion appliances and equipment.

[ASHRAE 62.1:5.5.1.2]

402.4.1.3 Roof, Landscaped Grade, or Another Surface Directly Below Intake. Where snow accumulation is expected, the surface of the snow at the expected average snow depth shall be considered to be a surface directly below an intake.

Exception: The minimum separation distance in Table 402.4.1 shall not apply where outdoor surfaces below the air intake are sloped more than 45 degrees (0.79 rad) from horizontal or where such surfaces are less than 1 inch (25.4 mm) in width.

[ASHRAE 62.1:5.5.1.3]

402.4.1.4 Laboratory Exhaust. Separation criteria for fume hood exhaust shall be in compliance with ANSI/ASSP Z9.5. [ASHRAE 62.1:5.5.1.4]

402.4.2 Rain Entrainment. Outdoor air intakes that are part of the mechanical ventilation system shall be designed to manage rain entrainment in accordance with one or more of the following:

(1) Limit water penetration through the intake to 0.07 oz/(ft [2] - h) [21.5 g/(m [2] - h)] of inlet area when tested using the rain test apparatus described in UL 1995.

(2) Select louvers that limit water penetration to a maximum of 0.01 oz/ft [2] (3.05 g/m [2] ) of louver free area at the maximum free area intake velocity through the louver. This water penetration rate shall be determined when subjected to the water penetration test in AMCA 500-L or equivalent. Manage the water that penetrates the louver by providing a drainage area or moisture removal devices.

(3) Select louvers that are Class A when rated according to AMCA 511 and tested per the AMCA 500-L wind-driven rain test when subjected to a simulated rainfall of 3 inches (76 mm) per hour and a 29 mph (13 m/s) wind velocity. The maximum design core area velocity through the louver shall correlate to a Class A rating.

(4) Use rain hoods sized for no more than 500 feet per minute (2.5 m/s) face velocity with a downward-facing intake such that all intake air passes upward through a horizontal plane that intersects the solid surfaces of the hood before entering the system.

(5) Manage the water that penetrates the intake opening by providing a drainage area or moisture removal devices. {ASHRAE 62.1:5.5.2} 402.4.3 Rain Intrusion. Air-handling and distribution equipment mounted outdoors shall be designed to prevent rain intrusion into the airstream when tested at design airflow and with no airflow, using the rain test apparatus described in UL 1995. [ASHRAE 62.1:5.5.3] 402.4.4 Snow Entrainment. Where climate dictates, outdoor air intakes that are part of the mechanical ventilation system shall be designed as follows to manage water from snow that is blown or drawn into the system:

(1) Access doors to permit cleaning of wetted surfaces shall be provided.

(2) Outdoor air ductwork or plenums shall pitch to drains designed in accordance with the requirements of ASHRAE 62.1. [ASHRAE 62.1:5.5.4]

402.4.5 Bird Screens. Outdoor air intakes shall include a screening device designed to prevent penetration by a 0.5 inch (13 mm) diameter probe. The screening device material shall be corrosion resistant. The screening device shall be located, or other measures shall be taken, to prevent bird nesting within the outdoor air intake. [ASHRAE 62.1:5.5.5]

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Contents — California Mechanical Code (Title 24, Part 4)
California Mechanical Code (Title 24, Part 4)
  1. Chapter 1 — GENERAL CODE PROVISIONS
  2. Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
  3. Chapter 3 — GENERAL REGULATIONS
  4. Chapter 4 — VENTILATION AIR
    Overview
    1. 401.1 Applicability. This chapter contains requirements for
    2. 401.2 Indoor Swimming Pools. The design of ventilation
    3. 401.3 Filters. [BSC-CG & DSA-SS] In mechanically ven-
    4. 402.1 Occupiable Spaces. Occupiable spaces listed in
    5. 402.2 Natural Ventilation Procedure. [Not permitted
    6. 402.3 Mechanical Ventilation. [Not permitted for
    7. 402.4 Outdoor Air Intakes. Ventilation system outdoor
    8. 403.1 General. The design outdoor air intake flow rate for
    9. 403.2 Zone Calculations. Ventilation zone parameters
    10. 403.3 Single-Zone Systems. For ventilation systems
    11. 403.4 One Hundred Percent Outdoor Air Systems.
    12. 403.5 Multiple-Zone Recirculating Systems. For ventilation sys…
    13. 403.6 Design for Varying Operating Conditions. Ventilation sys…
    14. 403.7 Exhaust Ventilation. Exhaust airflow shall be provided i…
    15. 403.8 Dynamic Reset. The system shall be permitted to be
    16. 403.9 Air Classification and Recirculation. Air shall be
    17. 403.10 Air Balance. All mechanical ventilation systems
    18. 404.1 System Ventilation Efficiency. The system ventilation ef…
    19. 404.2 Average Outdoor Air Fraction. The average outdoor air fr…
    20. 404.3 Zone Ventilation Efficiency. The zone ventilation
    21. 405.1 General. Rooms or occupied spaces within residential occ…
    22. 405.2 Ventilation Air Rate. The required mechanical ventilatio…
    23. 405.3 Bathroom Exhaust. A mechanical exhaust directly
    24. 405.4 Kitchen Exhaust. A mechanical exhaust system that
    25. 405.5 Ventilation Openings. Occupiable spaces shall be
    26. 406.0 Evaporative Cooling System for Health Care
    27. 407.1 General.
    28. 407.2 Outdoor Air Intakes and Exhaust Outlets.
    29. 407.3 Air Balance.
    30. 407.4 Air Circulation.
    31. 407.5 Variable Air Volume.
    32. 407.6 Economizers.
    33. 407.7 Unoccupied Turndown.
    34. 408.3 Filters for Skilled Nursing Facilities, Intermedi-
    35. 408.4 Filters for Outpatient Facilities.
    36. 408.5 Filters for Recirculating Room Units.
    37. 409.1 Ducts which penetrate construction, intended for X-
    38. 409.2 Duct linings and their use shall meet the requirements
    39. 409.3 The anchorage and supporting structural elements for
    40. 410.1 Laboratory Ventilating Systems. Laboratory ven-
    41. 410.2 Exhaust Hoods and Safety Cabinets. Hoods and
    42. 410.3 Laboratory Fume Hoods. Laboratory fume hoods
    43. 407.8 Building Pressurization.
    44. 408.1 General. Filter efficiencies shall be certified by the
    45. 408.2 Filters for Hospitals.
    46. 411.1 The air from dining areas may be used to ventilate the
    47. 412.1 Boiler, heater and electrical equipment rooms shall be
    48. 412.2 Floor surfaces in occupied spaces above such rooms
    49. 413.1 Rooms in areas where excessive heat or moisture is
    50. 413.2 Kitchen, morgues and laundries located inside a hos-
    51. 414.1 Exhaust Systems. A separate, dedicated exhaust
    52. 414.2 Air Distribution. The supply outlets and exhaust
    53. 415.1 Air Distribution. The supply outlets and exhaust and
    54. 416.1 An alarm system which is based on static pressure con-
    55. 416.2 Other acceptable alarm systems will be allowed when
    56. 416.3 [OSHPD 4] For correctional treatment centers, the
    57. 416.4 Prior to acceptance of the rooms, the alarm system
    58. 417.0 Testing and Balancing Airborne Infection Isola-
    59. 418.1 Air Changes. The ETO sterilization equipment room
    60. 418.2 Exhaust Requirements.
    61. 418.3 Ventilation Requirements.
    62. 418.4 Gas Valves. Installation of gas line hand valves at the
    63. 418.5 Alarm Systems. An Audible and visual alarm system
    64. 419.1 Formula Preparation Area. Air shall be supplied
    65. 419.2 Treatment Area/Room. Air shall be supplied over
  5. Chapter 5 — EXHAUST SYSTEMS
  6. Chapter 6 — DUCT SYSTEMS
  7. Chapter 7 — COMBUSTION AIR
  8. Chapter 8 — CHIMNEYS AND VENTS
  9. Chapter 9 — INSTALLATION OF SPECIFIC APPLIANCES
  10. Chapter 10 — BOILERS AND PRESSURE VESSELS
  11. Chapter 11 — REFRIGERATION
  12. Chapter 12 — HYDRONICS
  13. Chapter 13 — FUEL GAS PIPING
  14. Chapter 14 — PROCESS PIPING
  15. Chapter 15 — SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
  16. Chapter 16 — STATIONARY POWER PLANTS
  17. Chapter 17 — GEOTHERMAL ENERGY SYSTEMS AND AMBIENT TEMPERATURE…
  18. Chapter 18 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
  19. Appendix A — RESIDENTIAL PLAN EXAMINER REVIEW FORM FOR HVAC SY…
  20. Appendix B — PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED TO PLACE GAS EQUIPMENT …
  21. Appendix C — INSTALLATION AND TESTING OF OIL (LIQUID) FUEL-FIR…
  22. Appendix D — FUEL SUPPLY: MANUFACTURED/MOBILE HOME PARKS AND R…
  23. Appendix E — SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
  24. Appendix F — SIZING OF VENTING SYSTEMS AND OUTDOOR COMBUSTION …
  25. Appendix G — EXAMPLE CALCULATION OF OUTDOOR AIR RATE
  26. Appendix H — PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
  27. Appendix I — INDOOR HORTICULTURAL FACILITIES
  28. Appendix J — CLEAN AIR DELIVERY

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