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Chapter 4 — VENTILATION AIR

404.3 Zone Ventilation Efficiency. The zone ventilation

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.

efficiency ( Evz ) shall be determined in accordance with Section 404.3.1 or Section 404.3.2. [ASHRAE 62.1:A1.2]

404.3.1 Single Supply Systems. For single supply systems, where the air supplied to a ventilation zone is a mixture of outdoor air and system-level recirculated air, zone ventilation efficiency ( Evz ) shall be determined in accordance with Equation 404.3.1. Examples of single supply systems include constant-volume reheat, singleduct VAV, single-fan dual-duct, and multizone systems.

Evz = 1+ Xs - Zpz (Equation 404.3.1) The average outdoor air fraction for the system ( Xs ) shall be determined in accordance with Equation 404.2 and the primary outdoor air fraction for the zone ( Zpz ) shall be determined in accordance with Equation 404.3.1.

[ASHRAE 62.1:A1.2.1]

Zpz = Voz/Vpz (Equation 404.3.1)

For VAV systems, Vpz is the lowest zone primary airflow value expected at the design condition analyzed. 404.3.2 Secondary-Recirculation Systems. For secondary-recirculation systems where the supply air or a portion thereof to each ventilation zone is recirculated air (air that has not been directly mixed with outdoor air) from other zones, zone ventilation efficiency ( Evz ) shall be determined in accordance with Equation 404.3.2(1). Examples of secondary-recirculation systems include dual-fan dual-duct and fan-powered mixing-box systems, and systems that include transfer fans for conference rooms.

VENTILATION AIR

[Equation 404.3.2(1)] Evz = ( Fa+Xs•Fb–Zpz•Ep•Fc )/ Fa

The system air fractions Fa, Fb, and Fc shall be determined in accordance with Equation 404.3.2(2), Equation 404.3.2(3), and Equation 404.3.2(4). The zone primary air fraction ( Ep ) shall be determined in accordance with Equation 404.3.2(5). For single-zone and single-supply systems Ep shall equal to 1.0. The zone secondary recirculation fraction ( Er ) shall be determined by the designer based on system configuration. The zone air distribution effectiveness ( Ez ) shall be determined in accordance with Section 403.2.2. [ASHRAE 62.1:A1.2.2]

Fa = Ep +(1– Ep ) •Er [Equation 404.3.2(2)]

Fb = Ep [Equation 404.3.2(3)]

Fc = 1–(1– Ez )•(1– Er )•(1– Ep ) [Equation 404.3.2(4)]

Ep = Vpz/Vdz [Equation 404.3.2(5)]

Where: Ep = Primary air fraction: The fraction of primary air in

the discharge air to the ventilation zone. Er = Secondary recirculation fraction: In systems with

secondary recirculation of return air, the fraction of secondary recirculated air to the zone that is representative of average system return air rather than air directly recirculated from the zone. Ev = System ventilation efficiency: the efficiency with

which the system distributes air from the outdoor air intake to the breathing zone in the ventilationcritical zone, which requires the largest fraction of outdoor air in the primary airstream. Evz = Zone ventilation efficiency: The efficiency with

which the system distributes air from the outdoor air intake to the breathing zone in any particular ventilation zone. Ez = Zone air distribution effectiveness: A measure of

the effectiveness of supply air distribution to the breathing zone. Ez is determined in accordance with Section 403.2.2. Fa = Supply air fraction: The fraction of supply air to

the ventilation zone from sources or air outside the zone. Fb = Mixed air fraction: The fraction of supply air to

the ventilation zone from fully mixed primary air. Fc = Outdoor air fraction: The fraction of outdoor air

to the ventilation zone from sources of air outside the zone. Vdz = Zone discharge airflow: The expected discharge

(supply) airflow to the zone that includes primary airflow and secondary recirculated airflow, CFM (m 3 /min).

2022 CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE 67

VENTILATION AIR

Vpz = Zone primary airflow: The zone primary airflow

to the ventilation zone, including outdoor air and recirculated air. Xs = Average outdoor air fraction: At the primary air

handler, the fraction of outdoor air intake flow in the system primary airflow. Zpz = Primary outdoor air fraction: The outdoor air frac tion required in the primary air supplied to the ventilation zone prior to the introduction of secondary recirculation air. [ASHRAE 62.1:A3]

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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
    Overview
    1. 402.2 Natural Ventilation. [Not permitted for OSHPD
    2. 401.1 Applicability. This chapter contains requirements for
    3. 401.2 Filters. [BSC-CG], [DSA-SS & DSA-SS/CC] In
    4. 402.1 Occupiable Spaces. Occupiable spaces listed in
    5. 402.3 Mechanical Ventilation. [Not permitted for
    6. 402.4 Outdoor Air Intake Protection. Required outdoorair intak…
    7. 403.1 General. The design outdoor air intake flow rate for
    8. 403.2 Zone Calculations. Ventilation zone parameters
    9. 403.6 Design for Varying Operating Conditions. Ventilation sys…
    10. 403.3 Single-Zone Systems. For ventilation systems
    11. 403.4 One Hundred Percent Outdoor Air Systems.
    12. 403.5 Multiple-Zone Recirculating Systems. For ventilation sys…
    13. 403.7 Exhaust Ventilation. Exhaust airflow shall be provided i…
    14. 403.8 Dynamic Reset. The system shall be permitted to
    15. 403.9 Air Classification and Recirculation. Air shall
    16. 404.1 General. This section presents an alternative procedure …
    17. 404.2 Average Outdoor Air Fraction. The average outdoor air fr…
    18. 404.3 Zone Ventilation Efficiency. The zone ventilation
    19. 405.1 General. Rooms or occupied spaces within residential occ…
    20. 405.2 Ventilation Air Rate. The required mechanical ventilatio…
    21. 405.3 Bathroom Exhaust. A mechanical exhaust directly
    22. 405.4 Kitchen Exhaust. A mechanical exhaust directly to
    23. 405.5 Ventilation Openings. Occupiable spaces shall be
    24. 406.0 Evaporative Cooling System for Health Care
    25. 407.1 General.
    26. 407.2 Outdoor Air Intakes and Exhaust Outlets.
    27. 407.3 Air Balance.
    28. 407.4 Air Circulation.
    29. 407.5 Variable Air Volume.
    30. 407.6 Economizers. Systems with economizers shall include
    31. 408.1 General. Filter efficiencies shall be certified by the
    32. 408.2 Filters for Hospitals.
    33. 408.3 Filters for Skilled Nursing Facilities, Intermedi-
    34. 408.4 Filters for Outpatient Facilities.
    35. 409.1 Ducts which penetrate construction, intended for X-
    36. 409.2 Duct linings and their use shall meet the requirements
    37. 409.3 Insulation of Ducts. Cold air ducts shall be insu-
    38. 409.4 The anchorage and supporting structural elements for
    39. 410.1 Laboratory Ventilating Systems. Laboratory ven-
    40. 410.2 Exhaust Hoods and Safety Cabinets. Hoods and
    41. 410.3 Laboratory Fume Hoods. Laboratory fume hoods
    42. 411.1 The air from dining areas may be used to ventilate the
    43. 412.1 Boiler, heater and electrical equipment rooms shall be
    44. 412.2 Floor surfaces in occupied spaces above such rooms
    45. 413.1 Rooms in areas where excessive heat or moisture is
    46. 413.2 Kitchen, morgues and laundries located inside a hos-
    47. 414.1 Exhaust Systems. A separate, dedicated exhaust
    48. 414.2 Air Distribution. The supply outlets and exhaust
    49. 415.1 Air Distribution. The supply outlets and exhaust and
    50. 416.1 An alarm system which is based on static pressure con-
    51. 416.2 Other acceptable alarm systems will be allowed when
    52. 416.3 [For OSHPD 4] For correctional treatment centers,
    53. 416.4 Prior to acceptance of the rooms, the alarm system
    54. 417.0 Testing and Balancing Airborne Infection Isola-
    55. 418.1 Air Changes. The ETO sterilization equipment room
    56. 418.2 Exhaust Requirements.
    57. 418.3 Ventilation Requirements.
    58. 418.4 Gas Valves. Installation of gas line hand valves at the
    59. 418.5 Alarm Systems. An Audible and visual alarm system
    60. 419.1 Formula Preparation Area. Air shall be supplied
    61. 419.2 Treatment Area/Room. Air shall be supplied over
    62. 420.0 Air Distribution Devices. [OSHPD 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5]
  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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