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Chapter 11 — REFRIGERATION

1116.1 Factory Tests. Refrigerant-containing parts of unit

California Mechanical Code (Title 24, Part 4) · 2022 edition · updated 2026-09-10 · California

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

systems shall be tested and proved tight by the manufacturer at not less than the design pressure for which they are rated. Pressure vessels shall be tested in accordance with Section 1117.0. [ASHRAE 15:9.14.1] 1116.1.1 Testing Procedure. Tests shall be performed with dry nitrogen or another nonflammable, nonreactive, dried gas. Oxygen, air, or mixtures containing them shall not be used. The means used to build up the test pressure shall have a pressure-limiting device or a pressure-reducing device and a gage on the outlet side. The pressurerelief device shall be set above the test pressure but low enough to prevent permanent deformation of the system’s components. Exceptions: (1) Mixtures of dry nitrogen, inert gases, nonflammable

refrigerants permitted for factory tests. (2) Mixtures of dry nitrogen, inert gases, or a combina tion of them with flammable refrigerants in concentrations not exceeding the lesser of a refrigerant weight fraction (mass fraction) of 5 percent or 25 percent of the LFL shall be permitted for factory tests. (3) Compressed air without added refrigerant shall be

permitted for factory tests provided the system is subsequently evacuated to less than 0.039 inch of mercury (0.132 kPa) before charging with refrigerant. The required evacuation level is atmospheric pressure for systems using R-718 (water) or R-744 (carbon dioxide) as the refrigerant. [ASHRAE 15:9.14.1.1] 1116.1.2 Applied Pressure. The test pressure applied to the highside of each factory-assembled refrigerating system shall be not less than the design pressure of the

REFRIGERATION

highside. The test pressure applied to the lowside of a factory assembled refrigerating system shall be not less than the design pressure of the lowside. 1116.1.3 Design Pressure of 15 psig or Less. Units with a design pressure of 15 psig (103 kPa) or less shall be tested at a pressure not less than 1.33 times the design pressure, and shall be proved leak-tight at not less than the lowside design pressure. [ASHRAE 15:9.14.3]

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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
  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
    Overview
    1. 1101.1 Applicability. Part I governs the design, installation,
    2. 1101.2 Equipment. Equipment for refrigerant recovery,
    3. 1102.1 General. Refrigeration systems using a refrigerant
    4. 1102.2 Ammonia Refrigeration Systems. Refrigeration
    5. 1102.3 Refrigerants. The refrigerant used shall be of a type
    6. 1103.1 Classification of Refrigerants. Refrigerants shall
    7. 1103.2 Classification of Refrigeration Systems.
    8. 1103.3 Higher Flammability Refrigerants. Group A3
    9. 1104.1 System Selection. Refrigeration systems shall be
    10. 1104.2 Refrigerant Concentration Limit. The concentration of r…
    11. 1104.3 Institutional Occupancies. The RCL value
    12. 1104.4 Industrial Occupancies and Refrigerated
    13. 1104.5 Flammable Refrigerants. The total of Group A2,
    14. 1104.6 Applications for Human Comfort and for Non-
    15. 1104.7 Refrigerant Type and Purity. Refrigerants shall
    16. 1104.8 Changing Refrigerants. A change in the type of
    17. 1105.1 Human Comfort. Cooling systems used for human
    18. 1105.2 Supports and Anchorage. Supports and anchorage for refr…
    19. 1105.3 Access. An unobstructed readily accessible opening and …
    20. 1105.4 Illumination and Service Receptacles. In addition to th…
    21. 1105.5 Ventilation of Rooms Containing Condensing
    22. 1105.6 Prohibited Locations. Refrigeration systems or
    23. 1105.7 Condensate. Condensate from air-cooling coils
    24. 1105.8 Defrost. Where defrost cycles are required for portions…
    25. 1105.9 Overflows. Where condensate or defrost liquids are
    26. 1105.10 Condensate, Defrost, and Overflow Dis-
    27. 1105.11 Refrigerant Port Protection. Air conditioning
    28. 1105.12 Storage. Refrigerants and refrigerant oils not
    29. 1106.1 Where Required. Refrigeration systems shall be
    30. 1106.2 Refrigeration Machinery Room, General
    31. 1106.4 Natural Ventilation. Where a refrigerating system
    32. 1106.5 Combustion Air. No open flames that use combustion air …
    33. 1106.6 Airflow. There shall be no airflow to or from an occupi…
    34. 1106.7 Ventilation Intake. Makeup air intakes to replace
    35. 1106.3 Normal Operation. A part of the refrigeration
    36. 1106.8 Maximum Temperature. Ventilation or mechanical cooling …
    37. 1106.9 Refrigerant Parts in Air Duct. Joints and refrigerant-c…
    38. 1106.10 Dimensions. Refrigeration machinery rooms shall
    39. 1106.11 Restricted Access. Access to the refrigeration
    40. 1106.12 Exits. Exits shall comply with the building code for
    41. 1107.1 General. In cases specified in the rules of Section
    42. 1108.1 General. Equipment, piping, ducts, vents, or similar
    43. 1108.2 Electrical. Electrical equipment and installations
    44. 1108.3 Emergency Shut-off. A clearly identified emergency shut…
    45. 1108.4 Installation, Maintenance, and Testing. Detection and a…
    46. 1108.5 Emergency Pressure Control System. Where
    47. 1109.1 Materials. Materials used in the construction and
    48. 1109.2 Joints. Iron or steel pipe joints shall be of approved
    49. 1109.3 Penetration of Piping. Refrigerant piping shall not
    50. 1109.4 Location of Refrigeration Piping. Refrigerant
    51. 1109.5 Underground Piping. Refrigerant piping placed
    52. 1109.6 Support. In addition to the requirements of Section
    53. 1109.7 Pipe Enclosure. Refrigerant piping and tubing
    54. 1109.8 Visual Inspection. Refrigerant piping and joints
    55. 1109.9 Condensation. Piping and fittings that convey
    56. 1109.10 Identification. Piping shall be in accordance with
    57. 1110.1 More than 6.6 Pounds of Refrigerant. Systems
    58. 1110.2 More than 110 Pounds of Refrigerant. Systems
    59. 1110.3 Support. Stop valves installed in copper refrigerant
    60. 1110.4 Access. Stop valves required by Section 1110.0 shall
    61. 1110.5 Identification. Stop valves shall be identified by tagg…
    62. 1111.1 Where Required. Pressure-limiting devices complying wit…
    63. 1111.2 Setting. Pressure limiting devices shall be set in
    64. 1111.3 Location. Stop valves shall not be installed between
    65. 1111.4 Emergency Stop. Activation of a pressure-limiting
    66. 1112.1 General. Refrigeration systems shall be protected by
    67. 1112.2 Positive Displacement Compressor. A positive
    68. 1112.3 Liquid-Containing Portions of Systems. Liquid-containin…
    69. 1112.4 Evaporators. Heat exchanger coils located downstream, o…
    70. 1112.5 Hydrostatic Expansion. Pressure rise resulting
    71. 1112.6 Actuation. Pressure-relief devices shall be directpress…
    72. 1112.7 Stop Valves Prohibited. Stop valves shall not be
    73. 1112.8 Location. Pressure-relief devices shall be connected
    74. 1112.9 Materials. The seats and discs of pressure-relief
    75. 1112.10 Pressure-Relief Device Settings. Pressurerelief valves…
    76. 1112.11 Discharge from Pressure-Relief Devices.
    77. 1112.12 Discharge Piping. The piping used for pressurerelief d…
    78. 1112.13 Rating of Pressure-Relief Device. The rated
    79. 1112.14 Rating of Rupture Members and Fusible
    80. 1113.1 General. Pressure vessels shall be provided with
    81. 1113.2 Type of Protection. Pressure vessels with an internal g…
    82. 1113.3 Discharging into Lowside of System. For pressure-relief…
    83. 1113.4 Parallel Pressure-Relief Devices. Two or more
    84. 1113.5 Discharge Capacity. The minimum required discharge capa…
    85. 1113.6 Three-Way Valve. Pressure vessels of 10 cubic feet
    86. 1114.1 General. Systems containing other than Group A1 or
    87. 1114.2 Design Requirements. Flaring devices shall be
    88. 1114.3 Testing. Flaring systems shall be tested to demonstrate…
    89. 1115.1 General. In addition to labels required elsewhere in
    90. 1115.2 Volume and Type. A condenser, receiver, absorber,
    91. 1115.3 Permanent Sign. In a refrigeration machinery room
    92. 1115.4 Marking of Pressure-Relief Devices. Pressurerelief valv…
    93. 1116.1 Factory Tests. Refrigerant-containing parts of unit
    94. 1116.2 Field Tests. Refrigerant-containing parts of a system t…
    95. 1116.3 Test Gases. Tests shall be performed with dry nitrogen …
    96. 1116.4 Declaration. A dated declaration of test shall be provi…
    97. 1116.5 Brine Systems. Brine-containing portions of a system sh…
    98. 1117.1 Inside Dimensions 6 Inches or Less. Pressure
    99. 1117.2 Inside Dimensions More than 6 Inches. Pressure vessels …
    100. 1117.3 Pressure Vessels for 15 psig or Less. Pressure
    101. 1118.1 General. Refrigeration systems shall be operated and
    102. 1119.1 Applicability. Cooling towers, evaporative condensers, …
    103. 1120.1 General. Cooling towers, evaporative condensers,
    104. 1121.1 General. Drains, overflows, and blow-down provisions sh…
    105. 1122.1 General. Chemical treatment systems shall comply
    106. 1122.2 Automated Control of Cycles of Concentra-
    107. 1123.1 General. Cooling towers, evaporative condensers,
    108. 1124.1 General. Electrical systems shall be in accordance
    109. 1125.1 General. Equipment containing refrigerants as a part
    110. 1126.1 General. Cooling towers, evaporative condensers,
  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 — GEOTHERMAL ENERGY SYSTEMS
  24. Appendix G — SIZING OF VENTING SYSTEMS AND OUTDOOR COMBUSTION …
  25. Appendix H — EXAMPLE CALCULATION OF OUTDOOR AIR RATE

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