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Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS

218.0 – P –

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.

Package Boiler. A class of boiler defined herein and shall be a boiler equipped and shipped complete with fuel-burning equipment, automatic controls and accessories, and mechanical draft equipment. PE. Polyethylene. PE-AL-PE. Polyethylene-aluminum-polyethylene. PE-RT. Polyethylene of raised temperature. PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit). The time-weighted average concentration [set by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)] for a normal 8-hour

DEFINITIONS

workday and a 40-hour workweek to which nearly all workers can be repeatedly exposed without adverse effect. Chemical manufacturers publish similar recommendations [e.g., acceptable exposure level (AEL), industrial exposure limit (IEL), or occupational exposure limit (OEL), depending on the company], generally for substances for which PEL has not been established. [ASHRAE 34:3] The maximum permitted time-weighted average exposures to be utilized are those published in 29 CFR 1910.1000. PEX. Cross-linked polyethylene. PEX-AL-PEX. Cross-linked polyethylene-aluminum-crosslinked polyethylene. Pilot. A burner smaller than the main burner that is ignited by a spark or other independent and stable ignition source, and that provides ignition energy required to immediately light off the main burner. Piping. The pipe or tube mains for interconnecting the various parts of a system. Piping includes pipe, tube, flanges, bolting, gaskets, valves, fittings the pressure-containing parts of other components such as expansion joints, strainers, and devices that serve such purposes as mixing, separating, snubbing, distributing, metering, or controlling flow, pipe-supporting fixtures and structural attachments. Pitched. To be fixed or set at a desired angle or inclination.

ystem. Piping includes pipe, tube, flanges, bolting, gaskets, valves, fittings the pressure-containing parts of other components such as expansion joints, strainers, and devices that serve such purposes as mixing, separating, snubbing, distributing, metering, or controlling flow, pipe-supporting fixtures and structural attachments. Pitched. To be fixed or set at a desired angle or inclination.

[NFPA 96:3.3.39] Plenum. An air compartment or chamber including uninhabited crawl space areas above a ceiling or below a floor, including air spaces below raised floors of computer/data processing centers or attic spaces, to one or more ducts are connected and that forms part of either the supply-air, return-air, or exhaust-air system, other than the occupiable space being conditioned. Plumbing Code. The Uniform Plumbing Code promulgated by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, as adopted by this jurisdiction. [HCD 1 & HCD 2] Whenever the term “Plumbing Code” is used in this code, it shall mean the California Plumbing Code, Title 24, Part 5. Portable Cooling Unit. A self-contained refrigerating system, not over 3 horsepower (hp) (2.2 kW) rating that has been factory assembled and tested, installed without supply-air ducts and without connecting any refrigerant-containing parts. This definition shall not include an absorption unit. Portable Evaporative Cooler. An evaporative cooler that discharges the conditioned air directly into the conditioned area without the use of ducts and can be readily transported from place to place without dismantling any portion thereof. Portable Heating Appliance. A heating appliance designed for environmental heating that may have a self-contained fuel supply and is not secured or attached to a building by any means other than by a factory-installed power supply cord. Portable Ventilating Equipment. Ventilating equipment that can be readily transported from place to place without dismantling a portion thereof and that is not connected to a duct.

2022 CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE 39

DEFINITIONS

Power Boiler. A boiler in which steam is generated at pressures exceeding 15 psi (103 kPa). Power Boiler Plant. One or more power steam boilers or power hot water boilers and connecting piping and vessels within the same premises.

Power Hot Water Boiler (High Temperature Water Boiler). A boiler used for heating water or liquid to a pressure exceeding 160 psi (1103 kPa) or to a temperature exceeding 250°F (121°C). PP. Polypropylene. Pressure, Design. The maximum working pressure for which a specific part of a refrigeration system is designed. Pressure, Field Test. A test performed in the field to prove system tightness. Pressure-Imposing Element. A device or portion of the equipment used for the purpose of increasing the pressure of the refrigerant vapor. Pressure-Limiting Device. A pressure-responsive mechanism designed to automatically stop the operation of the pressure-imposing element at a predetermined pressure. Pressure-Relief Device. A pressure-actuated valve or rupture member or fusible plug designed to automatically relieve excessive pressure. Pressure Test. The minimum gauge pressure to which a specific system component is subjected under test condition. Pressure Vessel (Unfired). A closed container, having a nominal internal diameter exceeding 6 inches (152 mm) and a volume exceeding 1 1 ⁄ 2 cubic feet (0.04 m 3 ), for liquids, gases, vapors subjected to pressures exceeding 15 psi (103 kPa), or steam under a pressure. Pressure Vessel, Refrigerant. A refrigerant-containing receptacle that is a portion of a refrigeration system, but shall not include evaporators, headers, or piping of certain limited size and capacity. Process Piping. Piping or tubing that conveys liquid or gas, which is used directly in research, laboratory, or production processes. Product-Conveying Duct. Ducting used for conveying solid particulates, such as refuse, dust, fumes, and smoke; liquid particulate matter, such as spray residue, mists, and fogs; vapors, such as vapors from flammable or corrosive liquids; noxious and toxic gases; and air at temperatures exceeding 250°F (121°C). Purge. The acceptable method of scavenging the combustion chamber, boiler passes, and breeching to remove combustible gases. PVC. Polyvinyl chloride.

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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
  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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