MA Code Question

jvw

What you are describing is in violation of The Mass Building Code CMR 780 you can find the code on line. If you need addition info email me

Steve Garson_2

MA Code Question

My wife just rented an office that was just built-out by the landlord. The place has eight offices, waiting room and hall ways. I noticed that the AC in some of the offices is very inadequate when the door is closed, so I snooped around.

I noticed that the system takes its return air, believe it or not, from the floor below! I opened the furnace base and saw that the air intake filter is on the floor. There is no return from the space above the drop ceiling or any where else.

I want to be in a good position with the landlord to request that the return air come from the plenum above the ceilng.

Does anyone know if the present installation is a code violation? I figure that if it is, that would be a powerful statement to make, since the landlord is a big firm.

Anyone know?

Ray Landry_2

Only a few citys/towns in Mass require mechanical inspections to look at the duct work side of the installation. More than likely you are in an area that does not require it and would not get caught by an inspector. Is it right? no definetly not.

Brad White_79

Handful of potential issues Steve

I do not have the full chapter and verse in hard copy at hand (nor the time right now frankly).

Here is a link to the Mass BBRS site:

http://www.mass.gov/bbrs/newcode.htm

Take heed of the disclaimer that having these on the Web is a courtesy; the hard copy governs in all cases. These should be considered "educational" -and they are

Before you do anything the office space has to be classified by use group (assume Use Group B for Business). (780 CMR Chapter 3.)

Within this are aspects of if it is in a high rise, (seems not to be) then degree of ventilation provided, either mechanically or naturaly (780 CMR Chapter 12 Interior Environment). Within this is referenced BOCA National Mechanical Code (1993 Edition for some reason!) within Appendix A of the code.

Issues of fire-resistive construction are key to your concern. 780 CMR Chapeter 10 Means of Egress has some good reading for you. Part of this is that you cannot use a common corridor as a return air plenum. To do so would draw smoke out of an area of incidence into the common egress path. Nor can you use just any space to return air. It cannot go across defined fire protection zones but has to be ducted specifically from each. NFPA-90A and 90B (1996) are referenced in part.

Sprinklers(780 CMR Chapter 9 Fire Protection Systems) are both a state and local concern; implementation of these are at the local level and often depend on the degree of an existing building being fitted out (780 CMR Chapter 34, Repair, Alteration, Addition and Change of Use of Existing Structure)

Sigh....

Without prejudging anything, I suggest you take note of what you perceive to be deficiencies and go see a code consultant (I can recommend one off line) to at least see what might be involved. I mention this so that you do not go off half cocked and do go in with facts and documentation.

Good Luck-

Brad