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Chapter 6 — DUCT SYSTEMS

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.

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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
  5. Chapter 5 — EXHAUST SYSTEMS
  6. Chapter 6 — DUCT SYSTEMS
    Overview
    1. 601.2 Sizing Requirements. Duct systems shall be sized in
    2. 602.1 General. 602.0 Material. Materials used for duct systems…
    3. 602.2 Combustibles Within Ducts or Plenums. Materials exposed …
    4. 602.3 Metal. Ducts, plenums, or fittings of metal shall comply…
    5. 602.4 Phenolic. Ducts, plenums, or fittings of phenolic shall
    6. 602.5 Gypsum. Where gypsum products are exposed in ducts
    7. 602.6 Factory-Made Air Ducts. Factory-made air ducts
    8. 602.7 Vibration Isolators. Vibration isolation connectors
    9. 602.8 Corridors. Corridors shall not be used to convey air to
    10. 603.4 Factory-Made Air Ducts. Factory-made air ducts shall
    11. 603.1 General.603.0 Installation of Ducts. The pressure classi…
    12. 603.2 Under Floor or Crawl Space. Air ducts installed
    13. 603.3 Metal Ducts. Ducts shall be supported at each change
    14. 603.5 Flexible Air Ducts. Flexible air ducts shall comply
    15. 603.6 Plastic Ducts. Plastic air ducts and fittings shall be
    16. 603.7 Protection of Ducts. Ducts installed in locations
    17. 603.8 Support of Ducts. Installers shall provide the manufactu…
    18. 603.9 Protection Against Flood Damage. In flood hazard areas, …
    19. 603.10 Joints and Seams of Ducts. Joints and seams for
    20. 603.11 Cross Contamination. Exhaust ducts and venting
    21. 603.12 Underground Installation. Ducts installed underground s…
    22. 603.13 Air Dispersion Systems. Where installed, air dispersion…
    23. 604.0 Insulation of Ducts.604.1 General. Air ducts conveying a…
    24. 604.2 [OSHPD 1, 1R, 2, 3 (surgical clinics), 4 & 5] Ther-
    25. 604.3 [OSHPD 1, 1R, 2, 4 & 5] Thermal or acoustical lining
    26. 605.1 Smoke Dampers.Dampers. Smoke dampers shall comply with
    27. 605.2 Fire Dampers. Fire dampers shall comply with UL
    28. 605.3 Ceiling Radiation Dampers. Ceiling radiation
    29. 605.4 Multiple Arrangements. Where size requires the
    30. 605.5 Access and Identification. Fire and smoke dampers
    31. 605.6 Freedom from Interference. Dampers shall be
    32. 605.8 When the automatic activation of a smoke damper or a
    33. 606.1 General. 606.0 Ventilating Ceilings. Perforated ceilings…
    34. 606.2 Requirements. Ventilating ceilings shall comply
    35. 607.1 General.for Dwelling Units. An under-floor space shall b…
    36. 607.2 Dwelling Units. The use of under-floor space shall
    37. 607.3 Enclosed. Such spaces shall be cleaned of all loose
    38. 607.4 Flammable Materials. The enclosing material of the
    39. 607.5 Access. Access shall be through an opening in the
    40. 607.6 Automatic Control. A furnace supplying warm air
    41. 607.7 Temperature Limit. A furnace supplying warm air to
    42. 607.8 Noncombustible Receptacle. A noncombustible
    43. 607.9 Floor Registers. Floor registers shall be designed for
    44. 607.10 Exterior Wall and Interior Stud Partitions. Exterior wa…
    45. 607.11 Wall Register. Each wall register shall be connected
    46. 607.12 Distance from Combustible. A duct complying
    47. 607.13 Vapor Barrier. The entire ground surface of the
    48. 607.14 Prohibited. Fuel gas lines and plumbing waste
    49. 608.1 Air-Moving Systems and Smoke Detectors. 608.0 Automatic …
  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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