608.1 Air-Moving Systems and Smoke Detectors.
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.
608.1 Air-Moving Systems and Smoke Detectors. 608.0 Automatic Shutoffs. Airmoving systems supplying air in excess of 2000 cubic feet per minute (ft 3 /min) (0.9439 m 3 /s) to enclosed spaces within buildings shall be equipped with an automatic shutoff. Automatic shutoff shall be accomplished by interrupting the power source of the air-moving equipment upon detection of smoke in the main supply-air duct served by such equipment. Duct smoke detectors shall comply with UL 268A , shall be labeled by an approved agency, approved and listed by California State Fire Marshal, and shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Such devices shall be compatible with the operating velocities, pressures, temperatures, and humidities of the system. Where fire-detection or alarm systems are provided for the building, the smoke detectors shall be supervised by such systems in an approved manner, and installed in accordance with NFPA 72 and the California Building and Fire Codes . Exceptions: (1) Where the space supplied by the air-moving equipment is
served by a total coverage smoke-detection system in
(1) Where the space supplied by the air-moving equipment is
served by a total coverage smoke-detection system in accordance with the California Fire Code, interconnection to such system shall be permitted to be used to accomplish the required shutoff. (2) Automatic shutoff is not required where occupied rooms
served by the air-handling equipment have direct exit to
(2) Automatic shutoff is not required where occupied rooms
served by the air-handling equipment have direct exit to the exterior, and the travel distance does not exceed 100 feet (30 480 mm). (3) Automatic shutoff is not required for Group R, Division 3
and Group U Occupancies.
(3) Automatic shutoff is not required for Group R, Division 3
and Group U Occupancies. (4) Automatic shutoff is not required for approved smoke control systems or where analysis demonstrates shutoff
Automatic shutoff is not required for approved smoke control systems or where analysis demonstrates shutoff would create a greater hazard, such as shall be permitted to be encountered in air-moving equipment supplying specialized portions of Group H Occupancies. Such equipment shall be required to have smoke detection with remote indication and manual shutoff capability at an approved location.
126 2019 CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE
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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