602.2 Combustibles Within Ducts or Plenums.
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.
Materials exposed within ducts or plenums shall be noncombustible or shall have a flame spread index not to exceed 25 and a smoke-developed index not to exceed 50, where tested as a composite product in accordance with ASTM E84 or UL 723. Exceptions: (1) Return-air and outside-air ducts, plenums, or concealed
spaces that serve a dwelling unit.
(1) Return-air and outside-air ducts, plenums, or concealed
spaces that serve a dwelling unit. (2) Air filters in accordance with the requirements of Section
311.2.
(2) Air filters in accordance with the requirements of Section
311.2. (3) Water evaporation media in an evaporative cooler. (4) Charcoal filters where protected with an approved fire sup pression system.
(4) Charcoal filters where protected with an approved fire sup pression system. (5) Products listed and labeled for installation within plenums
in accordance with Section 602.2.1 through Section
(5) Products listed and labeled for installation within plenums
in accordance with Section 602.2.1 through Section 602.2.3. (6) Smoke detectors. (7) Duct insulation, coverings, and linings and other supple mentary materials installed in accordance with Section
(7) Duct insulation, coverings, and linings and other supple mentary materials installed in accordance with Section 604.0. (8) Materials in a hazardous fabrication area including the
areas above and below the fabrication area sharing a com
Materials in a hazardous fabrication area including the
areas above and below the fabrication area sharing a common air recirculation path with the fabrication area. 602.2.1 Electrical. Electrical wiring in plenums shall comply with the California Electrical Code . Electrical wires and cables and optical fiber cables shall be listed and labeled for use in plenums and shall have a flame spread
distance not exceeding 5 feet (1524 mm), an average optical density not exceeding 0.15, and a peak optical density not exceeding 0.5, where tested in accordance with NFPA 262. 602.2.2 Fire Sprinkler Piping. Nonmetallic fire sprinkler piping in plenums shall be listed and labeled for use in plenums and shall have a flame spread distance not exceeding 5 feet (1524 mm), an average optical density not exceeding 0.15 and, a peak optical density not exceeding 0.5, where tested in accordance with UL 1887. 602.2.3 Pneumatic Tubing. Nonmetallic pneumatic tubing in plenums shall be listed and labeled for use in plenums and shall have a flame spread distance not exceeding 5 feet (1524 mm), an average optical density not exceeding 0.15, and a peak optical density not exceeding 0.5, where tested in accordance with UL 1820. 602.2.4 Discrete Products in Plenums. Discrete plumbing, mechanical, and electrical products that are located in a plenum and have exposed combustible material shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 2043.
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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
Overview- 601.2 Sizing Requirements. Duct systems shall be sized in
- 602.1 General. 602.0 Material. Materials used for duct systems…
- 602.2 Combustibles Within Ducts or Plenums. Materials exposed …
- 602.3 Metal. Ducts, plenums, or fittings of metal shall comply…
- 602.4 Phenolic. Ducts, plenums, or fittings of phenolic shall
- 602.5 Gypsum. Where gypsum products are exposed in ducts
- 602.6 Factory-Made Air Ducts. Factory-made air ducts
- 602.7 Vibration Isolators. Vibration isolation connectors
- 602.8 Corridors. Corridors shall not be used to convey air to
- 603.4 Factory-Made Air Ducts. Factory-made air ducts shall
- 603.1 General.603.0 Installation of Ducts. The pressure classi…
- 603.2 Under Floor or Crawl Space. Air ducts installed
- 603.3 Metal Ducts. Ducts shall be supported at each change
- 603.5 Flexible Air Ducts. Flexible air ducts shall comply
- 603.6 Plastic Ducts. Plastic air ducts and fittings shall be
- 603.7 Protection of Ducts. Ducts installed in locations
- 603.8 Support of Ducts. Installers shall provide the manufactu…
- 603.9 Protection Against Flood Damage. In flood hazard areas, …
- 603.10 Joints and Seams of Ducts. Joints and seams for
- 603.11 Cross Contamination. Exhaust ducts and venting
- 603.12 Underground Installation. Ducts installed underground s…
- 603.13 Air Dispersion Systems. Where installed, air dispersion…
- 604.0 Insulation of Ducts.604.1 General. Air ducts conveying a…
- 604.2 [OSHPD 1, 1R, 2, 3 (surgical clinics), 4 & 5] Ther-
- 604.3 [OSHPD 1, 1R, 2, 4 & 5] Thermal or acoustical lining
- 605.1 Smoke Dampers.Dampers. Smoke dampers shall comply with
- 605.2 Fire Dampers. Fire dampers shall comply with UL
- 605.3 Ceiling Radiation Dampers. Ceiling radiation
- 605.4 Multiple Arrangements. Where size requires the
- 605.5 Access and Identification. Fire and smoke dampers
- 605.6 Freedom from Interference. Dampers shall be
- 605.8 When the automatic activation of a smoke damper or a
- 606.1 General. 606.0 Ventilating Ceilings. Perforated ceilings…
- 606.2 Requirements. Ventilating ceilings shall comply
- 607.1 General.for Dwelling Units. An under-floor space shall b…
- 607.2 Dwelling Units. The use of under-floor space shall
- 607.3 Enclosed. Such spaces shall be cleaned of all loose
- 607.4 Flammable Materials. The enclosing material of the
- 607.5 Access. Access shall be through an opening in the
- 607.6 Automatic Control. A furnace supplying warm air
- 607.7 Temperature Limit. A furnace supplying warm air to
- 607.8 Noncombustible Receptacle. A noncombustible
- 607.9 Floor Registers. Floor registers shall be designed for
- 607.10 Exterior Wall and Interior Stud Partitions. Exterior wa…
- 607.11 Wall Register. Each wall register shall be connected
- 607.12 Distance from Combustible. A duct complying
- 607.13 Vapor Barrier. The entire ground surface of the
- 607.14 Prohibited. Fuel gas lines and plumbing waste
- 608.1 Air-Moving Systems and Smoke Detectors. 608.0 Automatic …
- 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 — 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