Chapter 3 — GENERAL REGULATIONS
303.8 Appliances on Roofs. Appliances on roofs shall be
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.
designed or enclosed so as to withstand climatic conditions in the area in which they are installed. Where enclosures are provided, each enclosure shall permit easy entry and movement, shall be of reasonable height, and shall have at least a 30 inch (762 mm) clearance between the entire service access panel(s) of the appliance and the wall of the enclosure. [NFPA 54:9.4.1.1] 303.8.1 Load Capacity. Roofs on which appliances are to be installed shall be capable of supporting the additional load or shall be reinforced to support the additional load. [NFPA 54:9.4.1.2] 303.8.2 Fasteners. All access locks, screws, and bolts shall be of corrosion-resistant material. [NFPA 54:9.4.1.3] 303.8.3 Installation of Appliances on Roofs. Appliances shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions. [NFPA 54:9.4.2.1] 303.8.4 Edge of Roof Clearance. Appliances shall be installed on a well-drained surface of the roof. At least 6 feet (1829 mm) of clearance shall be available between any part of the appliance and the edge of a roof or similar hazard, or rigidly fixed rails, guards, parapets, or other building structures at least 42 inches (1067 mm) in height shall be provided on the exposed side. [NFPA 54:9.4.2.2]
303.8.4.1 Guards and Rails. Guards or rails shall be required where the following exist: (1) The clearance between the appliance and a roof
edge or open end of an equipment platform is less than 6 feet (1829 mm). (2) The open end of the equipment platform is
located more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the roof, floor, or grade below.
GENERAL REGULATIONS
Where guards or rails are installed, they shall be constructed so as to prevent the passage of a 21 inch (533 mm) diameter ball, resist the imposed loading conditions, and shall extend not less than 30 inches (762 mm) beyond each side of the equipment or appliance. Exception: Guards shall not be required where a permanent fall arrest anchorage connector system in accordance with ASSE Z359.1 is installed. 303.8.5 Electrical Power. All appliances requiring an external source of electrical power for its operation shall be provided with the following: (1) A readily accessible electrical disconnecting means
within sight of the appliance that completely deenergizes the appliance. (2) A 120-V ac grounding-type receptacle outlet on the
roof adjacent to the appliance on the supply side of the disconnect switch. [NFPA 54:9.4.2.3] 303.8.6 Platform or Walkway. Where water stands on the roof at the appliance or in the passageways to the appliance, or where the roof is of a design having a water seal, a suitable platform, walkway, or both shall be provided above the water line. Such platform(s) or walkway(s) shall be located adjacent to the appliance and control panels so that the appliance can be safely serviced where water stands on the roof. [NFPA 54:9.4.2.4]
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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
Overview- 301.1 Applicability. This chapter covers general requirements …
- 301.2 Approval. Equipment or appliance shall be approved
- 301.3 Design of Equipment. The installer or contractor
- 301.4 Electrical Connections. For equipment regulated
- 301.5 Oil-Burning Appliances. The tank, piping, and
- 301.6 Personnel Protection. A metal guard shall be provided ar…
- 301.7 OSHPD 1R [OSHPD 1R]. For OSHPD 1R, refer to
- 302.1 Minimum Standards. Listed pipe, pipe fittings,
- 302.2 Alternate Materials and Methods of Construc-
- 302.3 Alternative Engineered Design. An alternative
- 303.1 Listed Appliances. The installation of equipment
- 303.2 Closet or Alcove Installations. [Not adopted
- 303.3 Unlisted Appliances. Except as otherwise permitted in th…
- 303.4 Anchorage of Appliances. Appliances designed to
- 303.5 Movement. Movement of appliances with casters
- 303.6 Identification of Equipment. Where more than one
- 303.7 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Facilities. Containers,
- 303.8 Appliances on Roofs. Appliances on roofs shall be
- 303.9 Avoiding Strain on Gas Piping. Appliances shall
- 303.10 Clearances. Appliances and their vent connectors
- 303.11 Installation in Commercial Garages. Appliances installe…
- 303.12 Installation in Aircraft Hangars. Heaters in aircraft h…
- 304.1 General. All appliances shall be located with respect
- 304.2 Sloped Roof. Where equipment or appliances that
- 304.3 Access to Appliances on Roofs. Appliances
- 304.4 Appliances in Attics and Under-Floor Spaces.
- 305.4 Elevator Shaft. Unless required for the functionality
- 305.5 Drainage Pan. Where a water heater is located in an
- 306.1 General. Heating appliances shall be equipped with
- 306.2 Building Automation Systems. [OSHPD 1]
- 305.1 Installation in Residential Garages. Appliances
- 305.2 Pit Location. Where excavation is necessary to
- 305.3 Flood Hazard Areas. For buildings located in flood
- 307.1 Fuel-Burning Appliances. Fuel-burning heating
- 307.2 Electric Heating Appliances. Electric heating
- 307.3 Heat Pump and Electric Cooling Appliances.
- 307.4 Absorption Units. Absorption units shall bear a permanen…
- 308.1 General. Piping or equipment shall not be so located as
- 309.1 Engineering Practices. Design, construction, and
- 309.2 Concealing Imperfections. It shall be unlawful to
- 309.3 Installation Practices. Mechanical systems shall
- 310.1 Condensate Disposal. Condensate from air washers, air-co…
- 310.2 Condensate Control. Where any equipment or
- 310.3 Condensate Waste Pipe Material and Sizing.
- 310.4 Appliance Condensate Drains. Condensate drain
- 310.5 Point of Discharge. Air-conditioning condensate
- 310.6 Condensate Waste From Air-Conditioning
- 310.7 Plastic Fittings. Female plastic screwed fittings shall
- 311.1 Source. A heating or cooling air system shall be provide…
- 313.7 Gas Piping. Gas piping shall be supported by metal
- 311.2 Air Filters. Air filters shall be installed in a heating,
- 311.3 Prohibited Source. Outside or return air for a heating o…
- 311.4 Return-Air Limitations. Return air from one
- 311.5 California Energy Code Requirements for Res-
- 312.1 General. Water supply, sanitary drainage, and backflow p…
- 313.1 General. Piping, tubing, appliances, and appurtenances s…
- 313.2 Material. Hangers and anchors shall be of sufficient
- 313.3 Suspended Piping. Suspended piping or tubing
- 313.4 Alignment. Piping or tubing shall be supported in
- 313.5 Underground Installation. Piping or tubing in the
- 313.6 Hanger Rod Sizes. Hanger rod sizes shall be not
- 314.1 General. Heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning
- 315.1 General. Louvers located in areas within hurricaneprone …
- 316.1 General. Piping or tubing passing under or through
- 316.2 Installation. Piping or tubing shall be installed so that
- 316.3 Corrosion, Erosion, and Mechanical Damage.
- 316.4 Protectively Coated Pipe. Protectively coated pipe
- 316.5 Fire-Resistant Construction. Piping, tubing, and
- 316.6 Steel Nail Plates. Plastic piping or tubing, copper
- 316.7 Sleeves. Sleeves shall be provided to protect piping
- 316.8 Firewalls. A pipe sleeve through a firewall shall have
- 316.9 Structural Members. A structural member weakened or impa…
- 316.10 Rodentproofing. Mechanical system shall be constructed …
- 316.11 Metal Collars. In or on buildings where openings
- 317.1 Trenches. Trenches deeper than the footings of a
- 317.2 Tunneling and Driving. Tunneling and driving shall
- 317.3 Open Trenches. Excavations required to be made for
- 317.4 Excavations. Excavations shall be completely backfilled …
- 318.1 Applicability. This part is applicable to health facil-
- 318.2 Services/Systems and Utilities. Refer to Section
- 319.1 Requirements for Hospitals and Optional Serv-
- 319.2 Requirements for Skilled Nursing, Intermedi-
- 320.1 Requirements for Hospitals and Optional Serv-
- 320.2 Requirements for Skilled Nursing, Intermedi-
- 320.3 Requirements for Outpatient Facilities and
- 320.4 Telephone and Technology Equipment Centers.
- 320.5 Psychiatric Services. [OSHPD 1, 1R, 2, 4 & 5] For
- 321.1 (Does not apply to OSHPD 3 surgical clinic.) All heat-
- 321.2 All heating equipment and fans necessary to maintain
- 321.3 Equipment necessary for humidification of the areas
- 321.4 All supply, return, and exhaust fans required to maintain
- 321.5 All control components and control systems necessary
- 321.6 Alarms for airborne infection isolation rooms and pro-
- 322.1 The following conditions shall be met for sensitive
- 323.0 Mechanical Equipment Schedules. [OSHPD 1,
- Chapter 4 — VENTILATION AIR
- Chapter 5 — EXHAUST SYSTEMS
- Chapter 6 — DUCT SYSTEMS
- 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 — GEOTHERMAL ENERGY SYSTEMS
- Appendix G — SIZING OF VENTING SYSTEMS AND OUTDOOR COMBUSTION …
- Appendix H — EXAMPLE CALCULATION OF OUTDOOR AIR RATE