604.0 Insulation of Ducts.604.1 General. Air ducts conveying air at temperatures
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.
exceeding 140°F (60°C) shall be insulated to maintain an insulation surface temperature of not more than 140°F (60°C). Factory-made air ducts and insulations intended for installation on the exterior of ducts shall be legibly printed with the name of the manufacturer, the thermal resistance (R) value at installed thickness, flame-spread index, and smoke developed index of the composite material. Internal duct liners and insulation shall be installed in accordance with SMACNA HVAC Duct Construction Standards – Metal and Flexible. [OSHPD 1, 1R, 2, 3, 4 & 5] Cold air ducts shall be insulated wherever necessary or to prevent condensation. Exceptions: (1) Factory-installed plenums, casings, or ductwork furnished
as a part of HVAC equipment tested and rated in accor
(1) Factory-installed plenums, casings, or ductwork furnished
as a part of HVAC equipment tested and rated in accordance with approved energy efficiency standards. (2) Ducts or plenums located in conditioned spaces where heat
gain or heat loss will not increase energy use.
(2) Ducts or plenums located in conditioned spaces where heat
gain or heat loss will not increase energy use. (3) For runouts less than 10 feet (3048 mm) in length to air ter minals or air outlets, the rated R-value of insulation need
(3) For runouts less than 10 feet (3048 mm) in length to air ter minals or air outlets, the rated R-value of insulation need not exceed R-3.5. (4) Backs of air outlets and outlet plenums exposed to uncon ditioned or indirectly conditioned spaces with face areas
(4) Backs of air outlets and outlet plenums exposed to uncon ditioned or indirectly conditioned spaces with face areas exceeding 5 square feet (0.5 m 2 ) need not exceed R-2; those 5 square feet (0.5 m 2 ) or smaller need not be insulated. (5) Ducts and plenums used exclusively for evaporative cool ing systems.
Ducts and plenums used exclusively for evaporative cool ing systems. 604.1.1 Within Ducts or Plenums. Materials installed within ducts and plenums for insulating, sound deadening, or other purposes shall have a mold, humidity, and erosion-resistant surface where tested in accordance with UL 181. Duct liners in systems operating with air velocities exceeding 2000 feet per minute (10.16 m/s) shall be fastened with both adhesive and mechanical fasteners, and exposed edges shall have approved treatment to withstand the operating velocity. Where the internal insulation is capable of being in contact with condensates or other liquids, the material shall be water-resistant.
cordance with UL 181. Duct liners in systems operating with air velocities exceeding 2000 feet per minute (10.16 m/s) shall be fastened with both adhesive and mechanical fasteners, and exposed edges shall have approved treatment to withstand the operating velocity. Where the internal insulation is capable of being in contact with condensates or other liquids, the material shall be water-resistant.
604.1.2 Duct Coverings and Linings. Insulation applied to the surface of ducts, including duct coverings, linings, tapes, and adhesives, located in buildings shall have a flame-spread index not to exceed 25 and a smokedeveloped index not to exceed 50, where tested in accordance with ASTM E84 or UL 723. The specimen preparation and mounting procedures of ASTM E2231 shall be used. Air duct coverings and linings shall not flame, glow, smolder, or smoke where tested in accordance with ASTM C411 at the temperature to which they are exposed in service. In no case shall the test temperature be less than 250°F (121°C). Coverings shall not penetrate a fire-resistance-rated assembly.
Get a plain-English answer with a citation back to this text.
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