This is an article with the most common code issues that we are finding from inspectors. Each section has the names of the areas in question in bold and underlined. You will also see the reference to the section in the code book as well. These are all cited from MRC (Michigan Residential Code). 

 

Quick Notes:

It sounds like that the city of Grand Rapids Inspectors  are staring to fail the "sharkbite" style water heater connectors due to the plastic inside being too close to draft hood.

General

Michigan Residential Code. R105.1 Required. Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.

Michigan Residential Code 2015, Section M1305.1 Appliance access for inspection service, repair and replacement. Appliances shall be accessible for inspection, service, repair and replacement without removing permanent construction, other appliances, or other piping or ducts not connected to the appliance being inspected, serviced, repaired or replaced. A level work space at least 30 inches deep and 30 inches wide shall be provided in front of the control side to service an appliance.

Michigan Residential Code 2015, Section 1305.1.2 of the Michigan Residential code: Appliances installed in a compartment, alcove, basement or similar space shall be accessed by an opening or door and unobstructed passageway measuring not less than 24" wide and large enough to allow removal of the largest appliance in the space...

Michigan Residential Code 2015 Section G2406.2 (Gas) Appliances shall not be located in sleeping rooms, bathrooms, toilet rooms, storage closets or surgical rooms, or in a space that opens only into such rooms or spaces, except where the installation complies with one of the exceptions listed…… Exception #5 The appliance is installed in a room or space that opens only into a bedroom or bathroom, and such room or space is used for no other purpose and is provided with a solid weather-stripped door equipped with an approved self-closing device. All combustion air shall be taken directly from the outdoors in accordance with Section G2407.6

The Michigan Residential Code 2015 Section M1401.3 “Heating and cooling equipment and appliances shall be sized in accordance with ACCA Manual S or other approved sizing methodologies based on building loads calculated in accordance with ACCA Manual J or other approved heating and cooling calculation methodologies.” “Exception: #2 The specified equipment or appliance manufacture’s published capacities cannot satisfy both the total and sensible heat gains calculated in accordance with approved heating and cooling calculation methodology and the next larger standard size unit is specified.”

MMC 2015 Section 304.11    Need guard rail for safety at edge of roof, 42 inches high extending 30 inches to either side of RTU and rails no bigger than a 21 inch sphere can pass through.

 

Decorative outdoor appliances G2454.1 ( 636.1 )

Permanently fixed-in-place outdoor decorative appliances shall be tested in accordance with ANSI Z21.97 and shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

 

 

Water Heaters

MRC 2015 section P2801.6: Where water heaters or hot water storage tanks are installed in locations where leakage of the tanks or connections will cause damage, the tank or water heater shall be installed in a pan constructed of galvanized steel or aluminum having a material thickness of not less than .0236 inch ( No. 24 gage ) or other pans approved for such use. Listed pans shall comply with CSA LC3.

MRC 2015 section P2801.6.2 The pan drain shall extend full-size and end over a suitably located indirect waste receptor or shall extend to the exterior of the building and end not less than 6 inches and not more than 24 inches above the adjacent ground surface.

MRC 2015 section P2803.6.1 Relief valves shall not discharge so as to be a hazard, a potential cause of damage, or a nuisance. A relief valve discharge pipe shall be provided for each individual relief valve and shall meet the following: (a) shall terminate atmospherically not more than 4 inches from the floor with an unthreaded end. (d) Shall be ridged pipe approved for water distribution, with a minimum temperature rating of 210 degrees Fahrenheit. (f) Shall discharge to the floor, or to the pan serving the water heater or storage tank, or to a waste receptor. The outlet of a pressure, temperature or other relief valve shall not be directly connected to the drainage system.

Water heater needs proper approved gas line and shutoff valve. MRC 2015 – G2414.2, G2414.5, G2420.1.1

Michigan Residential Code 2015 section P2903.9.2 A readily accessible full open valve shall be installed in the cold water supply pipe to each water heater at or near the water heater.

Michigan Residential Code 2015 section G2448.1 Water heaters shall be installed in accordance with the manufactures instructions.

MRC 2015 Section M2005.2 Water heaters: Prohibited locations. Water heaters located in a bedroom or bathroom shall be installed in a sealed enclosure so that combustion air will not be taken from the living space.

 

 

Insulation

Michigan Residential Code 2015 section N1103.3.1 Protection of piping insulation. Piping insulation exposed to weather shall be protected from damage, including that caused by sunlight, moisture, equipment maintenance, and wind, and shall provide shielding from solar radiation that can cause degradation of material. Adhesive tape shall not be permitted.

Michigan Mechanical Code 2015 section M1411.6 Insulation of refrigerant piping. Piping and fittings for refrigerant vapor lines shall be insulated with insulation having a thermal resistivity of not less than R-4 and having external surface permeance not exceeding 0.05 perm when tested in accordance with ASTM E 96.

Michigan Uniform Energy Code part 10 adopted March 9th, 2011. Section 403.3 Mechanical system piping capable of carrying fluids above 105 degrees Fahrenheit or below 55 degrees Fahrenheit shall be insulated to minimum of R-3.

MRC Section N1103.2.1 (R403.2.1) Insulation

All portions of the air distribution system shall be installed in accordance with section M1601 and be insulated to an installed R-6 when system components are located within the building but outside the conditioned space, and R-8 when located outside to the building thermal envelope. When located within a building envelope assembly, at least R-8 shall be applied between the duct and that portion of the assembly farthest from conditioned space.

 

 

Condensate

Michigan Residential Code 2015 section M1411.3.3 Condensate drain lines shall be configured to permit clearing of blockages without cutting the drain line.

Michigan Residential Code 2015 Section P2906.9.1.4 PVC Condensate piping requires colored primer too.

All barbed fitting require clamps as part of the design of the connection, only vacuum connections don't as the vacuum pulls the connection together, whereas a pressure connection pushes it apart. The manufacture references it and says not to over tighten the clamp.

Air Conditioning

Missing physical protection for line set insulation outside. Michigan Residential code 2015 : Section N1103.3.1 Coil box needs to be sealed around liquid line and where plenum adapter connects along top. M1601.4.1

A/C coils located where blockage of the condensate line can cause damage to the building components require, secondary drain or shut off device to shut down a/c in event of drain blockage. Michigan Residential Code 2015 M1411.3.1

 

 

Condensing Furnaces

Michigan residential code section M1411.4 requires a pan under condensing furnaces where damage can occur to any building component should condensate drain stoppage happen. These pans are to be installed in accordance with section M1411.3 which requires a separate drain from the pan to approved place of disposal (sump or floor drain). Or a water level detection device that will shut down the equipment if water is detected in the pan, section M1411.3.1 #3&4.

Where appliances are subject to water damage when drain pans fill equipment shall be raised above flood level of pan on approved waterproof supports section M1411.3.3.

PVC piping requires approved hangers from the joist for each pipe every 4'. Table P2605.1 Fahrenheit

 

Ventilation

2015 Michigan Residential code Section M1507 Mechanical Ventilation Table 1507.3 list kitchen ventilation rates as 100 cfm intermittent or 25 cfm continuous.

Michigan Residential Code Chapter 11, section N1101.3.1 “Additions, alterations, renovations or repairs to an existing building, building system, or portion thereof shall conform to the provisions of this code as they relate to new construction without requiring the UNALTERED portion of the existing building or building system to comply with this code.” N1101.3.1 “Exception: #4 Construction where the existing roof, wall or flor cavity is NOT EXPOSED.”

Section N1103.5 Mechanical ventilation. “The building shall be provided with ventilation that meets the requirements of Section M1507 of this code”….

Section M1507.3 Whole-house mechanical ventilation system. “ Whole-house mechanical ventilation systems shall be designed in accordance with Sections M1507.3.1 through M1507.3.3”

 

 

Combustion Air

Michigan Residential Code. Section G2407 Air for combustion, ventilation and dilution of flue gases for appliances installed in buildings shall be provided by application of one of the methods prescribed in Sections G2407.5 through G2407.9

--Mechanical room does not have enough volume to support btu load of equipment. Need transfer openings into other half of basement, one high and one low, a min of 100 sq in. openings for each. See Michigan Residential Code 2015, Figure G2407.5.3.

Michigan Residential code 2015 section G2407.5.1 Indoor combustion air standard method min. required volume 50 cu. ft. per 1,000 btu of appliance input rating.

G2407.5.3.2 Combining spaces in different stories. 2 sq. in. free area opening per 1,000 btu rating of appliance.

G2407.6.2 One permanent outdoor opening method: opening commencing within 12" of top of enclosure with min. 1 sq. in. per 3,000 btu input rating.

 

 

 

 

Hydronic

Michigan Mechanical Code 2012, Section 1008 Steam Blowoff Valve. 1008.1 Every steam boiler shall be equipped with a quick opening blowoff valve. The valve shall be installed in the opening provided on the boiler. The minimum size of the valve shall be the size specified by the boiler manufacturer or the size of the boiler blowoff valve opening.

Michigan Uniform Energy Code part 10 adopted March 9th, 2011. Section 403.3 Mechanical system piping capable of carrying fluids above 105 degrees Fahrenheit or below 55 degrees Fahrenheit shall be insulated to minimum of R-3.

 

 

Venting

Section G2427.6.8.1 of the Michigan residential code or 503.6.9.1 of the International fuel gas code reads: Category I appliances, Item # 3 “For sizing a gas vent connected to two appliances with draft hoods, the effective are of the vent shall be not less than the area of the larger draft hood outlet plus 50% of the area of the smaller draft hood outlet, nor greater than seven times the smaller draft hood outlet area.”

Michigan Residential Code 2015, Section G2427.10.7 Slope. A vent connector shall be installed without dips or sags and shall slope upward toward the vent or chimney at least ¼” per foot.

Michigan Residential Code 2015, Table G2428.3 (2) Requires a minimum of 87,000 BTU input rating on a fan assisted furnace to use single wall vent pipe in this installation.

Section G2427.7.8 Minimum clearances from single wall metal pipe to combustible material shall be in accordance to table G2427.10.5 …

Listed Appliances with draft hoods – single wall pipe – 6”

 

 

Michigan Residential Code 2015, Section G2427.10.5 Clearance. Minimum clearances from vent connectors to combustible material shall be in accordance with Table G2427.10.5 Listed appliances with draft hoods and appliances listed for use with Type B gas vents – single wall pipe- 6 inches

Missing cap on top of chimney to keep rain and debris out of chimney. NFPA 211 section 4.6

Minimum clearances from Listed B vent pipe to combustible material shall be in accordance to table G2427.10.5 in the Michigan residential code 2015 Manufacturers listing 1”

Michigan Residential Code. Section G2427.5 Masonry, metal and factory built chimneys. Masonry, metal and factory built chimneys shall comply with Sections G2427.5.1 through 2427.5.9.

G2407.11 in the Michigan Residential code: The remaining space surrounding a chimney liner, gas vent, special gas vent or plastic piping installed within a masonry, metal or factory built chimney shall not be used to supply combustion air.

Where an appliance is permanently disconnected from an existing chimney or vent, or where an appliance is connected to an existing chimney or vent during the process of a new installation, the chimney or vent shall comply with sections G2425.15.1 through 2425.15.4. Michigan residential Code 2015 Section G2425.15

Michigan Residential Code 2015 section G2425.15.1 Size The chimney or vent shall be resized as necessary to control flue gas condensation in the interior of the chimney or vent and to provide the appliance served with the required draft. For Category 1 appliances the resizing shall be done in accordance with section G2426.

G2425.15.2 “ …The flue liner, chimney inner wall or vent liner inner wall shall be continuous and free of cracks, gaps, perforations or other damage or deterioration that would allow escape of combustion products, including gases, moisture and creosote.”

 

Michigan residential code 2015 section G2427.5.5.3 Unsafe chimneys. Where inspection reveals that an existing chimney is not safe for the intended application, it shall be repaired, rebuilt, lined, relined, or replaced with the vent or chimney to conform with NFPA 211 and it shall be suitable for the appliance to be vented.

Michigan residential code 2015 section G2427.6.9 Support of gas vents. Gas vents shall be supported and spaced in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

Section G2427.5.2, which does not allow horizontal runs of the flexible liner, this would need to be done in B vent and slope up hill to the vent termination. Which may not be possible if this is not a straight shot and the base of the chimney is accessible for the liner connection.

Section G2425.15 is the section that addresses reusing a chimney when anything is changed on it. Requiring it to be inspected and properly sized to control flue gas condensation.

Exterior chimney in Michigan assuming 8”x8” flue size, 20’-30’ height, Table 504.2 (6) in the IFGC 2015 doesn’t allow use of this chimney without a liner (need to go to IFGC when MRC does not address issue).

 

 

Gas Piping

Missing approved metal hanger on vertical gas line going to appliance control valve. G2418.2 Water heater needs proper approved gas shutoff valve. G2420.1.1

Michigan Residential Code. Section G2420.1.1 Shutoff valves shall be of an approved type; shall be constructed of materials compatible with the piping; and shall comply with the standard that is applicable for the pressure and application, in accordance with table G2420.1.1.

Michigan Residential Code 2015 section G2422, Labeled and listed appliance connectors are to be installed according to the manufactures Instructions and located entirely in the same room as the appliance.

Michigan Residential Code 2015 Section G2411.1.1.1 CSST gas piping systems shall be bonded to the electrical service grounding system or where provided, lightning electrode system.

MRC 15 - G2419.4 MRC 15 - Where a sediment trap is not incorporated as part of the appliance, a sediment trap shall be installed downstream of the appliance shutoff valve as close to the inlet of the appliance as possible.

Missing dirt leg on gas line.

Michigan Residential Code 2015 Section G2417.4 New gas piping installations are required to have inspector witnessed pressure test. With a minimum 3 psi test on all piping on a gauge with not over 15 psi scale. (Capable of reading single pounds or inches of water column) Section G2417.4

Michigan Residential Code 2015 Section G2418.2 Piping Support, design and installation.

Piping shall be supported with metal pipe hooks, metal pipe straps, metal bands, metal brackets, metal hangers or building structural components suitable for the size of piping, of adequate strength and quality, and located at intervals so as to prevent or damp out excessive vibration. Piping shall be anchored to prevent undue strains on connected appliances and shall not be supported by other piping. Piping hangers and supports shall conform to the requirements of MSS SP-58 and shall be spaced in accordance with section

G2424. Supports, hangers and anchors shall be installed so as not to interfere with free expansion and contraction of the piping between anchors, All parts of the supporting equipment shall be designed and installed so that they will not be disengaged by movement of the supported piping.

 

 

 

 

Duct Work

Supply and return duct connections need to be sealed. MRC 2015 – M1601.4.1 & Part 10 Mich. Uniform Energy Code R403.2.2

Michigan Residential Code 2015, Section M1602.2 Return Air, Prohibited sources. Outdoor and return air for a forced air heating or cooling system shall not be taken from the following locations: #4. A closet, bathroom, toilet room, kitchen, garage, mechanical room, boiler room, furnace room, unconditioned attic or other dwelling unit.

Michigan Residential Code 2015, Section M1601.1.1 Duct Construction, Above ground duct systems. Above ground duct systems shall conform to the following: #4 Minimum thickness of metal duct material shall be as listed in Table M1601.1.1(2). Galvanized steel shall conform to ASTM A 653.

Table M1601.1.1(2) Gauges of metal ducts and plenums : Exposed rectangular ducts, over 14”, .019” minimum thickness, equivalent gauge – 26.

Michigan Uniform Energy Code part 10 adopted March 9th, 2011. Section 403.2.2 All ducts, air handlers, filter boxes and building cavities used as ducts shall be sealed. Joints and seams shall comply with section M1601.4.1 of the Michigan residential code.

Holes around pipe going through return duct above drop need to be sealed, cannot draw return air from mechanical room. M1602.2

Michigan Residential Code 2015, Section M1601.4.1 Duct installation. Joints and seams. Joints of duct systems shall be made substantially airtight by means of tapes, mastics, liquid sealants, gasketing or other approved closure systems…. Duct connections to flanges of air distribution system equipment or sheet metal fittings shall be mechanically fastened…. Closure systems used to seal metal ductwork shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

Electrical

Wire nut connections inside furnace need to be in enclosed junction box and bushing added where it passes through the furnace sidewall. MRC 2015 – E3905.1 and Table 3802.1

Michigan Residential Code 2015, Section E3902.5 Ground Fault Interrupter Protection. Unfinished basement receptacles All 125 volt, single phase, 15 and 20 amp receptacles installed in unfinished basements must have ground-fault circuit- interrupter protection for personnel.

Michigan Residential Code 2015, Section E3802.4 In unfinished basements and crawl spaces. Table E3802.1 General Installation and Support requirements for wiring methods. Bushings shall be provided where entering a box, fitting or enclosure unless the box or fitting is designed to afford equivalent protection.