International Mechanical Code

October 9, 2024

“Plaza Italia” 1971 | Giorgio de Chirico

After architectural trades, the mechanical technologies occupy the largest part of building construction:

HVAC:
- Heating Systems: Technologies include furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, and radiant heating systems.
- Ventilation Systems: Incorporating technologies like air handlers, fans, and ductwork to ensure proper air circulation.
- Air Conditioning Systems: Including central air conditioning units, split systems, and variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems.
Plumbing:
- Water Supply Systems: Involving technologies for water distribution, pumps, and pressure regulation.
- Sanitary Systems: Including drainage, sewage systems, and waste disposal technologies.
- Fixtures and Faucets: Incorporating technologies for sinks, toilets, showers, and other plumbing fixtures.
Fire Protection:
- Fire Sprinkler Systems: Employing technologies like sprinkler heads, pipes, pumps, and water tanks.
- Fire Suppression Systems: Including technologies such as gas-based or foam-based suppression systems.
Energy Efficiency Technologies:
- Energy Management Systems (EMS): Utilizing sensors, controllers, and software to optimize energy consumption in HVAC systems.
- Energy Recovery Systems: Incorporating technologies like heat exchangers to recover and reuse energy from exhaust air.
Building Automation (BAS):
- Control Systems: Using sensors, actuators, and controllers to manage and automate various mechanical systems for optimal performance and energy efficiency.
- Smart Building Technologies: Integrating with other building systems for centralized control and monitoring.
Materials and Construction Techniques:
- Piping Materials: Selecting appropriate materials for pipes and fittings based on the application.
- Prefab and Modular Construction: Leveraging off-site fabrication and assembly for mechanical components.

Our examination of the movement in best practice in the mechanical disciplines usually requires an understanding of first principles that appear in the International Building Code

2024 International Mechanical Code

Current Code Development Cycles (2024-2026)

2024/2025/2026 Code Development Schedule

“On the Mechanical Equivalent of Heat” | 1850 James Prescott Joule | Proceedings of the Royal Society of London

Representative Design Guidelines:

Michigan State University

Florida State University

US Department of Energy: Sandia National Laboratories

ICC Releases 2024 International Codes

Group A Model Building Codes

We are waiting for the link to the Complete Monograph for the Group A cycle in which one of our proposals (Chapter 27 Electrical) will be heard at the April 2023 Committee Action Hearings in Orlando.

Superceded:

Because of the larger, disruptive concepts usually require more than one revision cycle — i.e. 3 to 9 years — it is wise to track those ideas in the transcripts of public hearings on the revisions. For example, the ICC Group A Committee Action Hearings were completed (virtually) in May 2021. The complete monograph of proposals is linked below:

2021 Group A Complete Proposed Changes

Transcript of committee response is linked below:

2021 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ACTION HEARINGS ON THE 2021 EDITIONS OF THE GROUP A INTERNATIONAL CODES

A sample of the topics that need attention that involve the mechanical disciplines (e.g. energy, environmental air, water) :

Soil gas and carbon monoxide detection and mitigation
Minimum number of required plumbing fixtures in schools and higher education community facilities
Fixtures for adult changing stations and gender neutral toilet and bathing facilities
Fat, oil and grease interceptors in kitchens
Dormitories, residence halls

There are others ideas that can be tracked in the most recent Group B Hearings included April 6th:

LIVE: I-Code Group B Public Comment Hearings

Proposals for the 2024 IMC revision will be accepted until January 7, 2024. We maintain this title among our core titles during our periodic Mechanical teleconferences. See our CALENDAR for the next online meeting; open to everyone.