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Chapter 4 — VENTILATION AIR

403.9 Air Classification and Recirculation. Air shall be

California Mechanical Code (Title 24, Part 4) · 2019 edition · updated 2026-09-10 · California

Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.

classified, and the recirculation or transfer shall be limited in accordance with Section 403.9.1 through Section 403.9.4.

[ASHRAE 62.1:5.16] Recirculated air shall not be taken from prohibited locations in accordance with Section 311.3.

66 2019 CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE

VENTILATION AIR

404.3.1 Single Supply Systems. For single supply systems, where the air supplied to a ventilation zone is a mixture of outdoor air and system-level recirculated air, zone ventilation efficiency ( Evz ) shall be determined in accordance with Equation 404.3.1. Examples of single supply systems include constant-volume reheat, singleduct VAV, single-fan dual-duct, and multizone systems.

Evz = 1+ Xs - Zpz (Equation 404.3.1)

The average outdoor air fraction for the system ( Xs ) shall be determined in accordance with Equation 404.2 and the primary outdoor air fraction for the zone ( Zpz ) shall be determined in accordance with Section 403.5.1.

[ASHRAE 62.1:A1.2.1] 404.3.2 Secondary-Recirculation Systems. For secondary-recirculation systems where the supply air or a portion thereof to each ventilation zone is recirculated air (air that has not been directly mixed with outdoor air) from other zones, zone ventilation efficiency ( Evz ) shall be determined in accordance with Equation 404.3.2(1). Examples of secondary-recirculation systems include dual-fan dual-duct and fan-powered mixing-box systems, and systems that include transfer fans for conference rooms.

[Equation 404.3.2(1)] Evz = ( Fa+Xs•Fb–Zpz•Ep•Fc )/ Fa

The system air fractions Fa, Fb, and Fc shall be

Evz = ( Fa+Xs•Fb–Zpz•Ep•Fc )/ Fa

The system air fractions Fa, Fb, and Fc shall be determined in accordance with Equation 404.3.2(2), Equation 404.3.2(3), and Equation 404.3.2(4). The zone primary air fraction ( Ep ) shall be determined in accordance with Equation 404.3.2(5). For single-zone and single-supply systems Ep shall equal to 1.0. The zone secondary recirculation fraction ( Er ) shall be determined by the designer based on system configuration. The zone air distribution effectiveness ( Ez ) shall be determined in accordance with Section 403.2.2. [ASHRAE 62.1:A1.2.2]

Fa = Ep +(1– Ep ) •Er [Equation 404.3.2(2)]

Fb = Ep [Equation 404.3.2(3)]

Fc = 1–(1– Ez )•(1– Er )•(1– Ep ) [Equation 404.3.2(4)]

Ep = Vpz / Vdz [Equation 404.3.2(5)]

Where: Ep - Primary air fraction: The fraction of primary air in the discharge air to the ventilation zone. Er - Secondary recirculation fraction: In systems with secondary recirculation of return air, the fraction of secondary recirculated air to the zone that is representative of average system return air rather than air directly recirculated from the zone.

Evz - Zone ventilation efficiency: The efficiency with which the system distributes air from the outdoor air intake to the breathing zone in any particular ventilation zone. Ez - Zone air distribution effectiveness: A measure of the effectiveness of supply air distribution to the breathing zone. Ez is determined in accordance with Section 403.2.2. Fa - Supply air fraction: The fraction of supply air to the ventilation zone from sources or air outside the zone. Fb - Mixed air fraction: The fraction of supply air to the ventilation zone from fully mixed primary air. Fc - Outdoor air fraction: The fraction of outdoor air to the ventilation zone from sources of air outside the zone. Vdz - Zone discharge airflow: The expected discharge (supply) airflow to the zone that includes primary airflow and secondary recirculated airflow, cfm (m 3 /min). Vpz - Zone primary airflow: Determine in accordance with Section 403.5.1. Xs - Average outdoor air fraction: At the primary air handler, the fraction of outdoor air intake flow in the system primary airflow. Zpz - Primary outdoor air fraction: The outdoor air fraction required in the primary air supplied to the ventilation zone prior to the introduction of secondary recirculation air. [ASHRAE 62.1:A3]

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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. 401.2 Filters. [BSC-CG], [DSA-SS & DSA-SS/CC] In
    2. 402.1 Occupiable Spaces.3 & 4] Occupiable spaces listed in
    3. 402.2 Natural Ventilation. Natural ventilation systems
    4. 402.3 Mechanical Ventilation. Where natural ventilation is
    5. 402.4 Outdoor Air Intake Protection. Required outdoorair intak…
    6. 402.5 Bathroom Exhaust Fans. [HCD 1 & HCD 2] Each
    7. 403.2 Zone Calculations. Ventilation zone parameters
    8. 403.3 Single-Zone Systems. For ventilation systems
    9. 403.4 One Hundred Percent Outdoor Air Systems. For
    10. 403.5 Multiple-Zone Recirculating Systems. For ventilation sys…
    11. 403.6 Design for Varying Operating Conditions. Ventilation sys…
    12. 403.7 Exhaust Ventilation. Exhaust airflow shall be provided i…
    13. 404.2 Average Outdoor Air Fraction. The average outdoor air fr…
    14. 404.3 Zone Ventilation Efficiency. The zone ventilation
    15. 403.8 Dynamic Reset. The system shall be permitted to
    16. 403.9 Air Classification and Recirculation. Air shall be
    17. 405.0 Evaporative Cooling System for Health CareFacilities. [F…
    18. 407.1 General.407.1.1 All supply-air, return air, and exhaust-…
    19. 407.3 Air Balance.407.3.1 The ventilation systems shall be des…
    20. 407.4 Air Circulation.407.4.1 Design of the ventilation system…
    21. 407.2 Outdoor Air Intakes and Exhaust Outlets.407.2.1 Outdoor …
    22. 407.5 Variable Air Volume.407.5.1 Variable Air Volume Systems …
    23. 408.0 Filters. [OSHPD 1, 1R, 2, 3, 4 & 5]408.1 General. Filter…
    24. 408.2 Filters for Hospitals.408.2.1 All air-ventilation system…
    25. 408.3 Filters for Skilled Nursing Facilities, Intermedi-
    26. 408.4 Filters for Outpatient Facilities.408.4.1 The air ventil…
    27. 409.2 Duct linings and their use shall meet the requirements
    28. 409.3 Insulation of Ducts. Cold air ducts shall be insu-
    29. 409.4 The anchorage and supporting structural elements for
    30. 410.1 Laboratory Ventilating Systems.[OSHPD 1, 1R, 2, 3, 4 & 5…
    31. 410.2 Exhaust Hoods and Safety Cabinets. Hoods and
    32. 410.3 Laboratory Fume Hoods. Laboratory fume hoods
    33. 411.0 Kitchen and Dining Areas. [OSHPD 1, 1R, 2, 3, 4
    34. 412.2 Floor surfaces in occupied spaces above such rooms
    35. 413.2 Kitchen, morgues and laundries located inside a hos-
    36. 414.0 Airborne Infection Isolation Rooms. [OSHPD
    37. 414.2 Air Distribution. The supply outlets and exhaust
    38. 415.0 Protective Environment Rooms. [OSHPD 1, 1R,
    39. 416.0 Alarms – Airborne Infection Isolation Rooms
    40. 416.2 Other acceptable alarm systems will be allowed when
    41. 416.3 [For OSHPD 4] For correctional treatment centers,
    42. 416.4 Prior to acceptance of the rooms, the alarm system
    43. 417.0 Testing and Balancing Airborne Infection Isola-
    44. 418.1 Air Changes. Sterilization Areas. [OSHPD 1, 1R, 2, 3, 4 …
    45. 418.2 Exhaust Requirements.418.2.1 All air from the ETO steril…
    46. 418.3 Ventilation Requirements.418.3.1 Aeration Units. The aer…
    47. 418.4 Gas Valves. Installation of gas line hand valves at the
    48. 418.5 Alarm Systems. An Audible and visual alarm system
    49. 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 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
  18. Appendix A — RESIDENTIAL PLAN EXAMINER REVIEW FORM FOR HVAC SY…
  19. Appendix B — PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED TO PLACE GAS EQUIPMENT …
  20. Appendix C — INSTALLATION AND TESTING OF OIL (LIQUID) FUEL-FIR…
  21. Appendix D — FUEL SUPPLY: MANUFACTURED/MOBILE HOME PARKS AND R…
  22. Appendix E — SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
  23. Appendix F — SIZING OF VENTING SYSTEMS AND OUTDOOR COMBUSTION …
  24. Appendix G — EXAMPLE CALCULATION OF OUTDOOR AIR RATE

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