507.4 Clearance. Where enclosures are not required, hoods,
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.
grease removal devices, exhaust fans, and ducts shall have a clearance of at least 18 inches (457 mm) to combustible material, 3 inches (76 mm) to limited-combustible material, and 0 inches (0 mm) to noncombustible material. [NFPA 96:4.2.1]
507.4.1 Listed. Where a hood, duct, or grease removal device is listed for clearances less than those required in Section 507.4, the listing requirements shall be permitted. [NFPA 96:4.2.2] 507.4.2 Clearance Reduction. Where a clearance reduction system consisting of 0.013 of an inch (0.33 mm) (28 gauge) sheet metal spaced out 1 inch (25.4 mm) on noncombustible spacers is provided, there shall be a minimum of 9 inches (229 mm) clearance to combustible material. [NFPA 96:4.2.3.1]
507.4.2.1 Mineral Wool Batts or Ceramic Fiber Blanket. Where a clearance reduction system consisting of 0.027 of an inch (0.686 mm) (22 gauge) sheet metal on 1 inch (25.4 mm) mineral wool batts or ceramic fiber blanket reinforced with wire mesh or equivalent spaced 1 inch (25.4 mm) on noncombustible spacers is provided, there shall be a minimum of 3 inches (76 mm) clearance to combustible material. [NFPA 96:4.2.3.2] 507.4.2.2 Field-Applied Grease Duct Enclo- sure. Where a clearance reduction system consisting of a listed and labeled field-applied grease duct enclosure material, system, product, or method of construction specifically evaluated for such purpose in accordance with ASTM E2336, the required clearance shall be in accordance with the listing.
[NFPA 96:4.2.3.3] 507.4.2.3 Zero Clearance. Zero clearance to limited-combustible materials shall be permitted where protected by one of the following: (1) Metal lath and plaster. (2) Ceramic tile. (3) Quarry tile.
EXHAUST SYSTEMS
(4) Other noncombustible materials or assembly of
noncombustible materials that are listed for the purpose of reducing clearance. (5) Other materials and products that are listed for the
purpose of reducing clearance. [NFPA 96:4.2.3.4] 507.4.3 Clearance Integrity. In the event of damage, the material or product shall be repaired and restored to meet its intended listing or clearance requirements and shall be acceptable to the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
[NFPA 96:4.2.4.1]
507.4.3.1 Fire. In the event of a fire within a kitchen exhaust system, the duct and its enclosure (rated shaft, factory-built grease duct enclosure, or fieldapplied grease duct enclosure) shall be inspected by qualified personnel to determine whether the duct and protection method are structurally sound, capable of maintaining their fire protection function, and in compliance with this chapter for continued operation. [NFPA 96:4.2.4.2] 507.4.3.2 Required Protection. Protection shall be provided on the wall from the bottom of the hood to the floor, or to the top of the noncombustible material extending to the floor, to the same level as required in Section 507.4. [NFPA 96:4.2.4.3] 507.4.3.3 Protection Methods. The protection methods for ducts to reduce clearance shall be applied to the combustible or limited-combustible construction, not to the duct itself. [NFPA 96:4.2.4.4] 507.4.4 Factory Built. Factory-built grease duct enclosures shall be protected with a through-penetration firestop system classified in accordance with ASTM E814 or UL 1479 having an “F” and a “T” rating equal to the fire resistance rating of the assembly being penetrated from the point at which the duct penetrates a ceiling, wall, or floor to the outlet terminal. [NFPA 96:4.3.3]
507.4.4.1 Listing. The factory-built grease duct protection system shall be listed in accordance with UL 2221. [NFPA 96:4.3.3.1] 507.4.4.2 Single Wall. Listed single wall factorybuilt grease ducts shall be permitted to be enclosed with field-applied grease duct enclosure material where the material and the assembly of duct and material are listed for that application and installed in accordance with the grease duct manufacturer’s listing and their installation instructions. [NFPA 96:4.3.3.2] 507.4.4.3 Installation. The factory-built grease duct protection system shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and the listing requirements. [NFPA 96:4.3.3.3] 507.4.5 Field Applied. Field-applied grease duct enclosures shall be protected with a through penetration firestop system classified in accordance with ASTM E814 or UL 1479 having an “F” and a “T” rating equal to the fire resistance rating of the assembly being penetrated. The surface of the field fabricated grease duct shall be
2022 CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE 97
EXHAUST SYSTEMS
continuously covered on all sides from the point at which the duct enclosure penetrates a ceiling, wall, or floor to the outlet terminal. The field-applied grease duct shall be listed in accordance with ASTM E2336 and installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and the listing requirements. [NFPA 96:4.3.1 – 4.3.1.2]
507.4.6 Both Field-Applied and Factory Built. Field-applied grease duct enclosures and factory-built grease duct enclosures shall demonstrate that they provide mechanical and structural integrity, resiliency, and stability where subjected to expected building environmental conditions, duct movement under general operating conditions, and duct movement due to fire conditions.
[NFPA 96:4.3.4]
507.4.6.1 Physical Damage. Measures shall be taken to prevent physical damage to a material or product used for the purpose of reducing clearances. Exception: Where the duct is protected with a fieldapplied grease duct enclosure or factory-built grease duct enclosure. 507.4.6.2 Specification. The specifications of material, gauge, and construction of the duct used in the testing and listing of field-applied grease duct enclosures and factory-built grease duct enclosures shall be included as minimum requirements in their listing and installation documentation. [NFPA 96:4.3.5] 507.4.6.3 Clearance Options. The following clearance options for which field-applied grease duct enclosures and factory-built grease duct enclosures have been successfully evaluated shall be clearly identified in their listing and installation documentation and on their labels: (1) Open combustible construction clearance at
manufacturer’s requested dimensions. (2) Closed combustible construction clearance at
manufacturer’s requested dimensions, with or without specified ventilation. (3) Rated shaft clearance at manufacturer’s
requested dimensions, with or without specified ventilation. [NFPA 96:4.3.6] 507.4.7 Building and Structural Contact. A duct shall be permitted to contact noncombustible floors, interior walls, and other noncombustible structures or supports, but it shall not be in contact for more than 50 percent of its surface area for each linear foot of contact length. [NFPA 96:4.4.1]
507.4.7.1 Corrosion Protection. Where duct contact must exceed the requirements of Section 507.4.7, the duct shall be protected from corrosion.
[NFPA 96:4.4.2] 507.4.7.2 Zero Clearance. Where the duct is listed for zero clearance to combustibles or is otherwise protected with a material or product listed for the purpose of reducing clearance to zero, the duct
shall be permitted to exceed the contact limits of Section 507.4.7 without additional corrosion protection. [NFPA 96:4.4.3]
507.4.8 Clearance Between Duct and Interior Surfaces. Clearances between the duct and interior surfaces of enclosures shall meet the requirements of Section 507.4 through Section 507.4.3.3. [NFPA 96:4.5]
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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
Overview- 501.1 Applicability. This chapter includes requirements for
- 502.1 Exhaust Opening Protection. Exhaust openings
- 502.2 Termination of Exhaust Ducts. Exhaust ducts
- 503.1 General. Motors and fans shall be sized to provide
- 503.2 Fans. Parts of fans in contact with explosive or flammab…
- 504.1 General. Where not specified in this chapter, exhaust
- 504.2 Independent Exhaust Systems. Single or combined mechanic…
- 504.3 Domestic Range. Ducts used for domestic kitchen
- 504.4 Clothes Dryers. A clothes dryer exhaust duct shall not
- 504.5 Heat (Energy) Recovery Ventilators. Heat
- 504.6 Gypsum Wallboard Ducts. Bathroom and laundry
- 505.1 General. A mechanical ventilation or exhaust system
- 505.2 Incompatible Materials. Incompatible materials
- 505.3 Flammability Limit. Unless the circumstances stipulated …
- 505.4 Air-Moving Devices. Air-moving devices shall be
- 505.5 Generating Flames, Sparks, or Hot Materials.
- 505.6 Fire Dampers. Fire dampers shall be permitted to be
- 505.7 Fire Detection and Alarm Systems. Unless the
- 505.8 Product-Conveying Ducts Classification. Product-conveyin…
- 505.9 Minimum Velocities and Circulation. The velocity and cir…
- 505.10 Makeup Air. Makeup air shall be provided to replenish a…
- 505.11 Hoods and Enclosures. Hoods and enclosures shall
- 505.12 Pharmacies – Compounding Area of Par-
- 506.1 Materials. Materials used in product-conveying duct
- 506.2 Construction. Ducts used for conveying products
- 506.3 Penetrations. Exhaust ducts shall not pass through
- 506.4 Condensate. Joints in duct construction shall be liquidt…
- 506.5 Fittings. Fittings in Class 2, 3, and 4 systems shall be
- 506.6 Explosion Venting. Ducts conveying explosive dusts
- 506.7 Supports. Supports shall be of noncombustible materials,…
- 506.8 Fire Protection. Sprinklers or other fire-protection
- 506.9 Protection from Physical Damage. Ducts
- 506.10 Duct Clearances. Unless the conditions stipulated
- 506.11 Clearance Reduction Methods. It shall be permitted to p…
- 507.1 Type I Hood Exhaust System. Exhaust systems
- 507.2 Exhaust System. Cooking equipment used in
- 507.3 Listed Devices. Penetrations shall be sealed with
- 507.4 Clearance. Where enclosures are not required, hoods,
- 507.5 Drawings. A drawing(s) of the exhaust system installatio…
- 507.6 Notification of Change. If required by the Authority Hav…
- 507.7 Pharmaceutical Compounding Exhaust Dis-
- 508.1 Where Required. Type I hoods shall be installed at
- 508.2 Listed Type I Hood Assemblies. Listed hood
- 508.3 Construction of Type I Hoods. The hood or that
- 508.4 Supports. Hoods shall be secured in place [OSHPD
- 508.5 Hood Size. Hoods shall be sized in accordance with
- 508.6 Solid-Fuel Hood Assemblies. Where solid-fuel
- 508.7 Exhaust Outlets. An exhaust outlet within an
- 509.1 Grease Removal Devices. Listed grease filters or
- 509.2 Installation. The distance between the grease removal
- 509.3 Solid-Fuel Grease Removal Devices. Where
- 510.1 General. Ducts shall not pass through fire walls.
- 510.2 Clearance. Clearance between ducts and combustible
- 510.3 Openings. Openings shall be provided at the sides or
- 510.4 Listed Grease Ducts. Listed grease ducts shall be
- 510.5 Other Grease Ducts. Other grease ducts shall comply with…
- 510.6 Exterior Installations. The exterior portion of the
- 510.7 Interior Installations. In all buildings more than one
- 510.8 Underground Installations. Grease ducts installed
- 510.9 Termination of Type I Hood Exhaust System.
- 510.10 Solid-Fuel Duct Systems. Where solid-fuel cooking equip…
- 511.1 Exhaust Fans for Commercial Cooking Opera-
- 511.2 Airflow. The air velocity through a duct shall be not
- 511.3 Makeup Air. The makeup air quantity shall prevent
- 511.4 Common Duct (Manifold) Systems. Master
- 511.5 Solid-Fuel Air Movement Requirements. Where
- 512.1 Dampers. Dampers shall not be installed in exhaust
- 512.2 Electrical Equipment. Wiring systems of any type
- 512.3 Other Equipment. Fume incinerators, thermal recovery uni…
- 512.4 Solid-Fuel Auxiliary Equipment. Where solid fuel
- 513.1 General. Fire-extinguishing equipment for the protection…
- 513.2 Types of Equipment. Fire-extinguishing equipment
- 513.3 Simultaneous Operation. Fixed pipe extinguishing
- 513.4 Fuel and Electric Power Shutoff. Upon activation of
- 513.5 Manual Activation. All systems shall have both automatic…
- 514.2 Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance. Maintenance of the…
- 513.6 System Annunciation. Upon activation of an automatic fir…
- 513.7 Special Design and Application. Hoods containing
- 513.8 Review and Certification. Where required, complete
- 513.9 Installation Requirements. Installation of systems
- 513.10 Portable Fire Extinguishers. Portable fire extinguisher…
- 513.11 Maintenance. Portable fire extinguishers shall be
- 513.12 Solid-Fuel Fire-Extinguishing Equipment.
- 514.1 Operating Procedures. Exhaust systems shall be
- 514.3 Inspection for Grease Buildup. The entire exhaust
- 514.4 Cleaning of Exhaust Systems. If, upon inspection,
- 514.5 Cooking Equipment Maintenance. Inspection and
- 515.1 Cooking Equipment. Cooking equipment shall be
- 515.2 Operating Controls. Deep-fat fryers shall be equipped
- 516.1 General Requirements. Recirculating systems containing o…
- 516.2 Design Restrictions. All recirculating systems shall
- 516.3 Interlocks. The recirculating system shall be provided
- 516.4 Location and Application Restrictions. The
- 516.5 Additional Fire Safety Requirements. In addition to the …
- 516.6 Use and Maintenance. Automatic or manual covers on cooki…
- 517.1 Venting Application. Venting requirements of solidfuel c…
- 517.2 Location of Appliances. Every appliance shall be
- 517.3 Hoods for Solid-Fuel Cooking. Hoods shall be sized
- 517.4 Exhaust Systems for Solid-Fuel Cooking. Where
- 517.5 Grease Removal Devices for Solid-Fuel Cook-
- 517.6 Air Movement for Solid-Fuel Cooking. Exhaust
- 517.7 Fire-Extinguishing Equipment for Solid-Fuel
- 517.8 Other Safety Requirements. Metal-fabricated solidfuel co…
- 518.1 General. Downdraft appliance ventilation system
- 518.2 Ventilation System. The downdraft appliance ventilation …
- 518.3 Fire-Extinguishing Equipment. For fire-extinguishing equ…
- 518.4 Airflow Switch or Transducer. An airflow switch or
- 518.5 Surface Materials. Any surface located directly
- 519.1 Where Required. Type II hoods shall be installed
- 519.2 Construction of Type II Hoods. Type II hoods
- 519.3 Dishwashing Appliances. The net airflow for Type
- 519.4 Type II Exhaust Duct Systems. Ducts and
- 519.5 Termination of Type II Hood Exhaust System.
- 519.6 Makeup Air. Makeup air shall be provided in accordance w…
- 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