Division B
Acceptable Solutions
Part 9 — Housing and Small Buildings
Section 9.33. Heating and Air-conditioning
9.33.1. General
9.33.1.1. Application
1) 
This Section applies to the design and installation of heating systems, including requirements for combustion air and
air-conditioning systems serving only one dwelling unit.



2)
The design and installation of heating systems, including requirements for combustion air, and air-conditioning systems other than those
described in Sentence (1)
shall conform to Part 6. (See Appendix A and Subsection 9.10.10.)



3) Systems used for heating and air-conditioning shall conform to the energy
efficiency requirements in
Part 10
.


9.33.2. Required Heating Systems
9.33.2.1. Required Heating Systems
1)
Residential buildings intended for use in the winter months on a continuing basis shall be equipped with
heating facilities conforming to this Section.

9.33.3. Design Temperatures
9.33.3.1. Indoor Design Temperatures
1) At the outside winter design temperature, required heating facilities shall be
capable of maintaining an indoor air temperature of not less than
a) 22°C in all living spaces,
c)
Reserved.


d) 15°C in heated crawl spaces.
9.33.3.2. Outdoor Design Temperatures
1)
The outdoor conditions to be used in designing heating and air-conditioning systems shall be determined in conformance with Article 1.1.3.1.

9.33.4. General Requirements for Heating and Air-conditioning Systems
9.33.4.1. Design of Heating and Air-conditioning Systems
1)
Heating and air-conditioning systems, including ducting, and mechanical heating and refrigeration equipment, shall be designed,
constructed and installed to conform to the relevant provincial or
territorial regulations or municipal bylaws or, in the absence of
such regulations or bylaws, with good practice such as that described
in the ASHRAE Handbooks and Standards, the HRAI Digest,
the CHC Handbook on Hydronic Heating Systems,
the Hydronics Institute Manuals and the SMACNA Manuals. (See also Subsection 9.32.3. for the design of systems that also provide
ventilation.)



9.33.4.2.
Installation of Hydronic Heating Systems
1)
The installation of a hydronic heating system shall conform to applicable provincial or territorial regulations or municipal bylaws
or, in the absence of such regulations or bylaws, to CAN/CSA-B214, “Installation Code for Hydronic Heating Systems.”

9.33.4.3. Reserved.
1) Reserved.

9.33.4.4. Access
1)
Equipment forming part of a heating or air-conditioning system, with the exception of embedded pipes or ducts, shall be installed
with provision for access for inspection, maintenance, repair and
cleaning.

9.33.4.5. Protection from Freezing
1)
Equipment forming part of a heating or air-conditioning system that may be adversely affected by freezing temperatures and that is
located in an unheated area shall be protected from freezing.

9.33.4.6. Expansion, Contraction and System Pressure
1)
Heating and cooling systems shall be designed to allow for expansion and contraction of the heat transfer fluid and to maintain the system
pressure within the rated working pressure limits of all components
of the system.

9.33.4.7. Structural Movement
1) Mechanical systems and equipment shall be designed and installed to accommodate
the maximum amount of structural movement provided for in the construction of the building.
2)
Where the building is in a location where the spectral response acceleration, Sa(0.2), is greater
than 0.55, heating and air-conditioning equipment with fuel or power
connections shall be secured to the structure to resist overturning
and displacement. (See A-9.31.6.2.(3) in Appendix A.)

9.33.4.8. Asbestos
1)
Asbestos shall not be used in air distribution systems or equipment in a form or in a location where asbestos fibres could enter the air
supply or return systems.

9.33.4.9. Contaminant Transfer
1)
Systems serving garages, and systems serving other occupied parts of a dwelling unit but located in or running through a garage, shall be designed and constructed
in a manner such that means are not provided for the transfer of contaminants
from the garage into other spaces in the dwelling unit.

9.33.4.10.
Noise Control
1) Heating and air-conditioning equipment shall be installed and located so that the
noise generated by this equipment conforms with the Vancouver Noise Control By-law.

9.33.5. Heating and Air-conditioning Appliances
9.33.5.1. Capacity of Heating Appliances
1) The required capacity of heating appliances located in a dwelling unit and serving only that dwelling unit, shall be determined in accordance with
CSA F280, “Determining the Required Capacity of Residential Space Heating and Cooling Appliances,”
except that the design temperatures shall conform to Subsection 9.33.3.


9.33.5.2. Appliance Installation Standards
1) Except as provided in Articles 9.33.5.3. and 9.33.5.4., the installation of heating and air-conditioning equipment, including mechanical refrigeration equipment, and
including provisions for mounting, clearances and air supply, shall conform
to
the requirements of


a)
CAN/CSA-B139, “Installation Code for Oil-Burning Equipment,”
for the installation of oil-burning equipment


b)
the Safety Standards Act and the following of its regulations:

i) the Gas Safety Regulation, for the installation of natural gas- and propane-burning equipment,
ii) the Electrical Safety Regulation, and
iii) the Power Engineers, Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Refrigeration Safety
Regulation, for the installation of boilers, pressure vessels, pressure
piping and mechanical refrigeration,
c) CAN/CSA-B365, “Installation Code for Solid-Fuel- Burning Appliances and
Equipment,” and
d) CAN/CSA-C448, “Design and Installation of Earth Energy Systems.”
(See also Sentence 9.33.5.3.(1).)
2)
For the purposes of Clause (1)(c), section 3.1 of CAN/CSA-B365, “Installation Code for Solid-Fuel-Burning Appliances and Equipment.” shall be read as though that section included the following paragraph:

a) an alternative safety approach under which a solid-fuel-burning boiler is accepted for use under section 10 of the
Safety Standards Act.

9.33.5.3. Design, Construction and Installation Standard for Solid-Fuel-Burning Appliances
(See Appendix A.)1) The design, construction and installation, including the provision of combustion air, of solid-fuel-burning appliances and equipment, including stoves,
cooktops, ovens
and space heaters, shall conform to CAN/CSA-B365, “Installation Code for Solid-Fuel-Burning Appliances and Equipment.”


9.33.5.4. Fireplaces
1)
Fireplaces shall conform to Section 9.22.

9.33.6. Air Duct Systems
9.33.6.1. Application
1) The design, construction and installation of air duct distribution systems serving heating systems in which the rated heat input does not exceed
120 kW shall conform to this Subsection.
2)
Air duct distribution systems in which the rated heat input exceeds 120 kW shall conform to Part 6 and Subsection 3.6.5.

9.33.6.2. Materials in Air Duct Systems
1)
Except as provided in Sentences (2) to (6) and in Article 3.6.4.3., all ducts, duct connectors, associated fittings and plenums used in air duct systems shall be constructed of steel, aluminum alloy, copper,
clay, asbestos-cement or similar noncombustible material.

2)
Ducts, associated fittings and plenums are permitted to contain combustible material provided they

a) conform to the appropriate requirements for Class 1 duct materials in CAN/ULC-S110, “Test for Air Ducts,”
b) conform to Article 3.1.5.15. and Subsection 3.1.9.,
c) are not used in vertical runs serving more than 2 storeys, and
d) are not used in air duct systems in which the air temperature
may exceed 120°C.
3)
Duct sealants shall have a flame-spread rating of not more than 25 and a smoke developed classification
of not more than 50.

4)
Duct connectors that contain combustible materials and that are used between ducts and air outlet units shall

a) conform to the appropriate requirements for Class 1 air duct materials in CAN/ULC-S110, “Test for Air Ducts,”
b) be limited to 4 m in length,
c) be used only in horizontal runs, and
d) not penetrate required fire separations.
5)
Combustible ducts that are part of a duct system carrying only ventilation air and that are contained
entirely within a dwelling unit need not comply with the requirements of Sentences (1) to (4).

6)
Except as provided in Sentences 9.33.6.13.(2) and (3), ducts that are part of a return-air duct system and that are contained entirely
within a dwelling unit need not comply with the requirements of Sentences (1) to (4).

7)
Materials referred to in Sentences (1) to (6), when used in a location where they may be subjected to excessive moisture, shall

a) have no appreciable loss of strength when wet, and
b) be corrosion-resistant.
9.33.6.3. Tape
1)
Tape used for sealing duct joints in air ducts, plenums and other parts of air duct systems shall meet the flame-resistance requirements for fabric in CAN/ULC-S109, “Flame Tests of Flame-Resistant Fabrics and Films.”

9.33.6.4. Coverings, Linings, Adhesives and Insulation
1)
Coverings, linings and associated adhesives and insulation of air ducts, plenums and other parts of air duct systems shall be of noncombustible material when exposed to heated air or radiation from heat sources that would result in the exposed surface exceeding a temperature of 120°C.

2)
Except as provided in Sentence (3), when combustible coverings and linings, including associated adhesives and insulation, are used, they shall
have

a) a flame-spread rating of not more than 25 on any exposed surface or any surface that would be exposed
by cutting through the material in any direction, and
b) a smoke developed classification of not more than 50.
3)
The outer covering of ducts, plenums and other parts of air duct systems used within an assembly of combustible construction are permitted to have

a) an exposed surface flame-spread rating of not more than 75, and
b) a smoke developed classification greater than 50.
4)
Combustible coverings and linings described in Sentences (2) and (3) shall not flame, glow, smoulder or smoke when tested in accordance with the
method of test in ASTM C 411, “Hot-Surface Performance of High-Temperature Thermal Insulation,” at the maximum
temperature to which the coverings and linings are to be exposed in
service.

5)
Except as provided in Sentence (6), foamed plastic insulation shall not be used as part of an air duct or for insulating an air duct.

6)
Foamed plastic insulation is permitted to be used in a ceiling space that acts as a return air plenum provided the foamed plastic insulation is protected from exposure to the plenum in accordance with Sentence 3.1.5.12.(2).

7)
Combustible coverings and linings of ducts, including associated adhesives and insulation, shall be
interrupted

a) at the immediate area of operation of heat sources in a duct
system, such as electric resistance heaters or fuel-burning heaters
or furnaces, and
b) where the duct penetrates a fire separation.
8)
Linings of ducts shall be installed so that they will not interfere with the operation of volume or balancing dampers or of fire dampers, fire stop flaps and other closures.

9.33.6.5. Galvanized Steel or Aluminum Supply Ducts
2)
The design of fittings for ducts shall conform to ANSI/SMACNA 006, “HVAC Duct Construction Standards – Metal and Flexible,” except that metal thicknesses shall conform to Table 9.33.6.5.

Table 9.33.6.5. Minimum Metal Thickness of Ducts Forming part of Article 9.33.6.5. | ||||
Type of Duct |
Maximum Diameter, mm (in.) |
Maximum Width or Depth, mm (in.) |
Minimum metal thickness, mm (in.) |
|
Duct Material | ||||
Galvanized Steel | Aluminum | |||
Round ducts serving single dwelling units |
125 (5) or less |
— |
0.254 (.010) |
0.30 (.012) |
Round |
350 (14) |
— |
0.33 (.013) |
0.30 (.012) |
Over 350 (14) |
— |
0.41 (.016) |
0.41 (.016) |
|
Rectangular, enclosed | — |
350 (14) |
0.33 (.013) |
0.30 (.012) |
— |
Over 350 (14) |
0.41 (.016) |
0.41 (.016) |
|
Rectangular, not enclosed, for single dwelling units, with required clearance up to 12 mm (½ in.) |
— |
350 (14) |
0.33 (.013) |
0.41 (.016) |
— |
Over 350 (14) |
0.41 (.016) |
0.48 (.019) |
|
Rectangular, not enclosed, with required clearance of more than 12 mm (½ in.) |
— |
350 (14) |
0.41 (.016) |
0.41 (.016) |
— |
Over 350 (14) |
0.48 (.019) |
0.48 (.019) |
9.33.6.6. Construction of Ducts and Plenums
1) Where the installation of heating supply ducts in walls and floors creates a space between the duct and construction material, the space shall be fire stopped with noncombustible material at each end.
2)
Ducts shall be securely supported by metal hangers, straps, lugs or brackets, except that, where zero clearance is permitted,
wooden brackets are permitted to be used.

4)
Rectangular duct connections shall be made with S and drive cleats or equivalent mechanical connections.

5)
Duct systems shall have no openings other than those required for the proper operation and maintenance of the system.

9.33.6.7. Installation of Ducts and Plenums
1)
Air duct systems serving garages shall not be interconnected with other parts of the dwelling unit.

2)
Trunk supply ducts shall not be nailed directly to wood members.

4)
Ducts passing through unheated spaces shall have all joints taped or otherwise sealed to ensure that the ducts are airtight throughout
their length.

5)
Combustible ducts in concrete slabs-on-ground that are connected to a furnace supply plenum shall be located not closer than 600 mm to that plenum and not less than 600 mm from its connection to a riser or register.

6)
Ducts in or beneath concrete slabs-on-ground shall be watertight and corrosion-, decay-, and mildew-resistant.

7)
Underground ducts shall

a) be constructed to provide interior drainage from and access to all low points, and
b) not be connected directly to a sewer.
9.33.6.8. Clearances of Ducts and Plenums
1)
The clearance of furnace plenums from combustible material shall conform to the appropriate standards in Sentence 9.33.5.2.(1).

2)
Where the plenum clearance required in Sentence (1) is 75 mm or less, the clearance between a supply duct and combustible material shall

b) be not less than 12 mm at a distance of 450
mm or more from the plenum, except that this clearance may be reduced to zero beyond a bend or offset
in the duct sufficiently large to shield the remainder of the supply duct from direct radiation from the furnace heat exchanger. (See A-3.6.5.6.(2) in Appendix A.)
3)
Where the plenum clearance required in Sentence (1) is more than 75 mm but not more than 150 mm, the clearance between
a supply duct and combustible material shall be

b) not less than 12 mm at a horizontal distance of 1.8 m or more from the plenum, except that this distance may be reduced to zero beyond a bend or
offset in the duct sufficiently large to shield the remainder of the
duct from direct radiation from the furnace heat exchanger. (See A-3.6.5.6.(3) in Appendix A.)
4)
Where the plenum clearance required in Sentence (1) is more than 150 mm, the clearance between a supply duct and combustible material shall be

b) not less than 150 mm within a horizontal distance
between 1 m and 1.8 m from the plenum, and
c) not less than 25 mm at a horizontal distance of 1.8 m or more from the plenum, except that this distance may be reduced to 8 mm beyond
a bend or offset in the duct sufficiently large to shield the remainder
of the supply duct from direct radiation from the furnace heat exchanger. (See A-3.6.5.6.(4) in Appendix A.)
5)
Where a register is installed in a floor directly over a pipeless furnace, a double-walled register box with not less than 100 mm between walls, or a register box with
the warm-air passage completely surrounded by the cold-air passage,
shall be permitted in lieu of the clearances listed in Sentences (2), (3) and (4).

9.33.6.9. Adjustable Dampers and Balance Stops
1)
All branch supply ducts that are not fitted with diffusers with adjustable balance stops shall be supplied
with adjustable dampers and fitted with devices to indicate the positions
of the dampers.

9.33.6.10. Warm-Air Supply Outlets and Return Inlets — General
1)
Supply outlets and return openings in the dwelling unit, when located less than 2 m above the floor, shall be protected by grilles having openings of a size
that will not allow the passage of a 15 mm diam sphere.

2)
Combustible grilles, diffusers and other devices for the supply and return air openings installed in
walls and ceilings shall have a flame-spread rating of

a) not more than 200 in bathrooms, and
b) not more than 150 in rooms or spaces other than bathrooms.
9.33.6.11. Warm-Air Supply Outlets
1)
In a dwelling unit, a warm-air supply outlet shall be provided in each finished room that is located
adjacent to unheated space.

2)
Except as provided in Sentence (3), when a room described in Sentence (1) is located adjacent to exterior walls, such outlet shall be located so as to bathe at least one exterior wall or window with warm air,
except in bathrooms, utility rooms or kitchens, where this may not
be practical.

3)
Where the heating system is also designed to provide ventilation air, ceiling outlets or outlets located high on interior walls are
permitted to be installed, provided the outlets are designed for this
purpose and are installed with diffusers.

4)
At least one warm-air supply outlet shall be provided for each 40 m2 of floor surface area in unfinished basements serving dwelling units, and it shall be located so as to provide adequate distribution
of warm air throughout the basement.

5)
At least one warm-air supply outlet shall be provided for each 80 m2 of floor surface area in heated crawl spaces serving dwelling units, and it shall be located so as to provide adequate distribution of warm air
throughout the crawl space.

6)
Except for pipeless furnaces, the capacity of warm-air supply outlets serving dwelling units shall be not less than the design heat loss from the area served and shall not exceed 3 kW per outlet.

7)
In basements and heated crawl spaces, the calculated heat gain from the supply ducts and plenum surfaces is permitted to be considered in calculating the design heat loss.

9)
Warm-air supply outlets located in finished areas shall be provided with diffusers and adjustable openings and shall not be located on
a furnace plenum.

9.33.6.12. Return-Air Inlets
1)
Return-air inlets shall not be installed in an enclosed room or crawl space that provides combustion air to a furnace.

2)
Except for unfinished areas and floor levels which are less than 900 mm above or below an adjacent floor level which
is provided with a return-air inlet, at least one return-air inlet
shall be provided in each floor level in a dwelling unit.

3)
Provision shall be made for the return of air from all rooms by leaving gaps beneath doors, using louvred doors or installing return duct inlets.

9.33.6.13. Return-Air System
(See Appendix A.)2)
Where any part of a return duct will be exposed to radiation from the furnace heat exchanger or other radiating part within the furnace, such part of a return duct directly above or within 600 mm of the outside furnace casing shall be noncombustible.

3)
Return ducts serving solid-fuel-burning furnaces shall be constructed of noncombustible material.

4)
Combustible return ducts shall be lined with noncombustible material

a) below floor registers,
b) at the bottom of vertical ducts, and
c) under furnaces having a bottom return.
5)
Spaces between studs or joists used as return ducts shall be separated from the unused portions of such spaces by tight-fitting metal stops or wood blocking.

6)
A vertical return duct shall have openings to return air on not more than one floor.

7)
The return-air system shall be designed so that the negative pressure from the circulating fan cannot

a) affect the furnace combustion air supply, nor
9.33.6.14. Filters and Odour Removal Equipment
1)
Air filters for air duct systems shall conform to the requirements for Class 2 air filter units as described in ULC-S111, “Fire Tests for Air Filter Units.”

2)
When electrostatic-type filters are used, they shall be installed so as to ensure that the electric circuit is automatically de-energized
when filter access doors are opened or, in dwelling units, when the furnace circulation fan is not operating.

3)
When odour removal equipment of the adsorption type is used it shall be

a) installed to provide access so that adsorption material can
be reactivated or renewed, and
b) protected from dust accumulation by air filters installed on
the inlet side.
9.33.7. Radiators and Convectors
9.33.7.1. Recessed Radiators and Convectors
1)
Every steam or hot water radiator and convector located in a recess or concealed space or attached to the face of a wall of combustible construction shall be provided with a noncombustible lining or backing.

9.33.7.2. Surface Temperature
1)
The exposed surface temperature of a steam or hot water radiator shall not exceed 70°C unless precautions are taken to
prevent human contact.

9.33.8. Piping for Heating and Cooling Systems
9.33.8.1. Piping Materials and Installation
1)
Piping shall be made from materials designed to withstand the effects of temperatures and pressures that may occur in the system.
(See Articles 3.1.5.16., 3.1.9.1. and 9.10.9.6. for fire safety requirements.)

2)
Every pipe used in a heating or air-conditioning system shall be installed to allow for expansion and contraction due to temperature
changes.

3)
Supports and anchors for piping in a heating or air-conditioning system shall be designed and installed to ensure that undue stress
is not placed on the supporting structure.

9.33.8.2. Insulation and Coverings
1)
Insulation and coverings on pipes shall be composed of material suitable for the operating temperature of the system to withstand
deterioration from softening, melting, mildew and mould.

2)
Insulation and coverings on pipes in which the temperature of the fluid exceeds 120°C

a) shall be made of noncombustible material, or
b) shall not flame, glow, smoulder or smoke when tested in accordance
with ASTM C 411, “Hot-Surface Performance of High-Temperature Thermal Insulation,” at the maximum temperature
to which such insulation or covering is to be exposed in service.
3)
Except as provided in Sentence (6), where combustible insulation is used on piping in a horizontal or vertical service space, the insulation and coverings on such pipes shall have
a flame-spread rating throughout the material of not more than

a) 25 in buildings of noncombustible construction, and
b) 75 in buildings of combustible construction.
4)
Except as provided in Sentence (6), insulation and coverings on piping located in rooms and spaces other than the service spaces described in Sentence (3) shall have a flame-spread rating not more than that required for the interior finish for the ceiling of the room or space.

5)
Pipes that are exposed to human contact shall be insulated so that the exposed surface does not exceed 70°C. (See A-6.2.9.2.(2) in Appendix A.)

6)
No flame-spread rating or smoke developed classification limitations are required where combustible insulation and coverings are used on piping when such piping is

a) located within a concealed space in a wall,
b) located in a floor slab, or
c) enclosed in a noncombustible raceway or conduit.
9.33.8.3. Clearances
1)
Clearances between combustible material and bare pipes carrying steam or hot water shall conform to Table 9.33.8.3.

Table 9.33.8.3. Clearance between Steam or Hot Water Pipes and Combustible Material Forming part of Sentence 9.33.8.3.(1) | |
Steam or Water Temperature (T), °C | Minimum Clearance, mm |
T ≤ 95 |
no clearance required |
95 < T ≤ 120 |
15 |
T > 120 | 25 |
9.33.8.4. Protection
1) Where a pipe carrying steam or hot water at a temperature above
120°C passes through a combustible floor, ceiling or wall, the construction shall be protected by a sleeve of metal or other noncombustible material not less than 50 mm larger in diameter than the pipe.
2)
Unprotected steam or hot water pipes that pass through a storage space shall be covered with not less than 25 mm thickness
of noncombustible insulation to prevent direct contact with the material stored.

9.33.9. Refrigerating Systems and Equipment for Air-conditioning
9.33.9.1. Cooling Units
1)
Where a cooling unit is combined with a fuel-fired furnace in the same duct system, the cooling unit shall be installed

a) in parallel with the heating furnace,
c) downstream of the furnace, provided the cooling unit is designed to prevent excessive temperature or pressure
in the refrigeration system.
9.33.10. Chimneys and Venting Equipment
9.33.10.1. Requirement for Venting
1)
Except as provided in Articles 9.33.10.2. and 9.33.10.3., the products of combustion from oil-, gas- and solid-fuel-burning appliances, including stoves,
cooktops, ovens
and space heaters, shall be vented in conformance with the applicable appliance installation standard listed in Sentences 9.33.5.2.(1) and 9.33.5.3.(1).



9.33.10.2. Factory-Built Chimneys
1)
Factory-built chimneys serving solid-fuel-burning appliances, and their installation, shall conform to CAN/ULC-S629-M, “650°C Factory-Built Chimneys.” (See Appendix A.)

9.33.10.3. Masonry or Concrete Chimneys
9.33.10.4.
Location of Exhaust Vents Serving One and Two Family Dwellings
1) Exhaust Vents from heating and air conditioning equipment and similar appliances,
other than direct vented fireplaces, shall be directed
a) vertically through the roof of a building, with the discharge located at least 1.5 m away from any property line, or