(a) Refrigerant piping shall be fabricated and/or installed in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Ohio Basic Building Code (Mechanical), Article 13 (OAC 4101:2-44), "Mechanical Refrigeration"; the ASHRAE Refrigeration Handbook "Systems and Applications", Chapter 3, "System Practices for Halocarbon Refrigerants"; ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 15, "Safety Code for Mechanical Refrigeration"; ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 34, "Refrigerant Safety Classification and Designation"; and provisions listed below (refer to Appendix A).
(b) Refrigerant piping, except manufacturer supplied precharged and preinsulated tubing packages, shall be assembled using Type "L" or "K" copper with wrought copper fittings. Solder for joints and connections shall have a melting point of 1100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
(c) Refrigerant piping shall be installed in a manner and in locations such that it cannot be easily damaged. Refrigerant piping shall be isolated such that no vibrations are transmitted to the structure. All penetrations of exterior walls shall be completely sealed.
(d) Refrigerant accessories required include a desiccant strainer-drier, charging and refrigerant removal valves or ports, a liquid indicator at the evaporator connection and the required pressure relief devices for each system.
(e) Piping installation below grade, below concrete slabs or in nonaccessible locations shall be avoided when possible. Where avoidance is not feasible, the installation of nonaccessible piping shall be approved by the Building Inspector. Below-grade or nonaccessible piping shall be installed as follows:
(1) There shall be no joints in the nonaccessible portions of the piping system.
(2) All refrigerant pipes, liquid, suction or hot gas, shall be insulated with a minimum one-half inch thick flexible nonabsorbent insulation on the nonaccessible portions. There shall be no seams or joints in the nonaccessible portions of the piping.
(3) The piping shall be installed within a Schedule 40 polyvinylchloride (PVC) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic conduit with inside diameter to provide for ease of insertion or removal of the refrigerant pipes and with adequate clearance.
(4) Provision in the piping shall be made to permit removal and replacement of the concealed pipe sections.
(5) The installation shall be made in a manner to drain any moisture from the piping conduit and shall be protected from insect or pest entrance into the conduit or building.
(f) Field-fabricated refrigerant piping systems or a portion thereof shall be tested using inert gas and made 100 percent leak-free. After testing the piping, the system shall be evacuated or purged of all moisture, water vapor and noncondensibles, and the system then inspected by the Building Inspector prior to charging and/or any concealment of the piping.
(g) Drain pans shall be provided for condensate from cooling coils. The pans shall be piped by means of a Schedule 40 polyvinylchloride (PVC) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic, Type "L" copper or galvanized steel pipe to a safe waste. The traps and drain piping shall be installed in a manner to permit internal cleaning.
(h) A secondary drain shall be installed below all equipment located above a ceiling in attic space or over occupied space. A separate drain line shall be run from the secondary drain pan to a safe waste.
(Ord. 1992-101. Passed 1-14-92.)