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Chief’s Corner
Commentary
Can or should a new furnace be used as a “construction heater” during the construction of a new home? The question comes up periodically concerning the use of a new furnace as the source of heat to dry-out a structure under construction. We’ve all seen it, a new house being built in the winter (or really any time in Oregon), and the general contractor wants to get the house driedout. The house has a nice new duct system just sitting there waiting to distribute clean warm air. So the general asks you to install the new furnace so they can get some heat going. What does a mechanical contractor do? If you say no, there’s a possibility this may be the last job you do for this particular contractor. If you say yes, you’ll be shortening the life of the furnace, filling the ductwork with construction debris and possibly voiding the warrantee of the appliance. But the general contractor is adamant about getting some heat in the building, he/she has deadlines to meet and is under pressure to get the home dried-out as soon as possible. Then add to the mix, new code language that will give the local inspection jurisdiction the authority to turn down the final approval of the mechanical system based on the improper “use” of equipment. Both the Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC) and the Oregon Mechanical Specialty Code (OMSC) have had language that eluded to this requirement, but now the 2007 OMSC, Sections 301.1 and 301.4 (C301.1 and C301.3 for fuel-gas appliances) has added specific language that prohibits the “use” of equipment in violation of the code. Although the code does not have specific code language prohibiting the use of a new furnace for dry-out, it does require appliances to be installed in accordance with the listing and the manufacturer’s installation instructions (Section 304.1).
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STATE OF OREGON
BUILDING CODES DIVISION
STATEWIDE INTERPRETATION
No. G2408.2 OREGON RESIDENTIAL SPECIALTY CODE
SUBJECT: Elevation of condensate pumps in a garage CODE SECTION: Section G2408.2.
QUESTION: If a hermetically sealed, submersible condensate pump is used to dispense condensate from a furnace or air-conditioning appliance, can it be placed directly on the garage floor or does it have to be raised 18 inches?
ANALYSIS: The Oregon Residential Specialty Code...
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Electrical program at the Washington Department of Labor and Industries
The following message is from the Electrical program at the Washington Department of Labor and Industries:
The purpose of this email is to invite you to a meeting that the Department of Labor and Industries intends to host relating to the licensing, certification, and testing requirements of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVAC/R) contractors and installers on February 3rd at the Comfort Inn in Tumwater. If you have an interest in this, please join us at the meeting and read the additional information provided below.
Sincerely,
Patrick Woods, Assistant Director
Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
click here for a pdf of the article
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Adopting rules prohibiting the installation of mercury thermostats
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News for the Crews
a publication of Energy Trust of Oregon
January 2005
Home Energy Savings Program Updates
Weatherization Measures and Incentives
Affordable Comfort Northwest
Conference caters to contractors The Energy Trust of Oregon is sponsoring Affordable Comfort Northwest on February 23 and 24. This contractor-focused conference is the event to attend if you’re interested in learning how to expand the services you offer to current clients, or how to attract new clients by selling efficiency, home comfort, and health and safety. Some seminars will cover highly technical subjects, like proper heat pump and air conditioner installation, some will address health and safety issues, such as wet crawlspaces, while others will address selling efficiency and comfort through diagnostic testing. See http://www.affordablecomfort.org/html/acNW05.html for a complete listing of seminars. Affordable Comfort Northwest will also be a great networking opportunity for any contractor interested in expanding industry contacts. If you have any questions about the event, please contact Martín Wilson 503.525.2700 x140 or Diane Ferington 503.445.7621.
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SB 906, the bill containing the new mechanical board (and half a dozen other building trades related bills), passed the House Rules committee yesterday on a unanimous vote with no amendments. The committee considered an amendment brought by the mechanical engineers that would have replaced the public member of the mechanical board with a mechanical engineer. After some discussion, the committee decided to move the bill forward with no changes. However, they did ask the people involved with the bill, (i.e. PHCC/ORACCA, UA 290, NECA/IBEW, SMACNA, Homebuilders, etc.) to work with the mechanical engineers to fill one of the spots on the committee with someone who had mechanical engineering training.
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SB 906, the bill that includes the reformation of the structures board and the creation of a new mechanical board, has passed the Senate and is up for a hearing in the House Rules committee tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 pm in Hearing Room E.
There could be one amendment that would replace the public member...
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International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings 2003 Edition Effective April 1, 2003.
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Q. Can joist bays or wall cavities be used as supply or return ducts or plenums in residential construction? Q. Where new heating and/or cooling ducts are installed in existing dwellings, are duct joint sealants required on all duct joints and seams?
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HB 3460 had a work session on Wednesday the 16th before the House Committee on Business and Labor. Mark Long testified on behalf of the Building Codes Division and Burton Weast testified on behalf of the coalition of stakeholders supporting the bill, including: PHCC, ORACCA, SMACNA, UA Local 290, NECA, IBEW, the Homebuilders, ABC and OBTC
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