Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine January 2021

Lunch & learn

IMC 306.3 states, “The clear access opening dimensions shall be a minimum of 20 inches by 30 inches…where such dimensions are large enough to allow removal of the largest appliance.”

EQUIPMENT ACCESS

Equipment Access seems pretty simple. Code is concerned that inspectors be able to get to the equipment to make required inspections and that future technicians be able to safely make repairs. Many furnaces and air handlers have been located in attics so getting into the attic, getting to the equipment, and then being able to work on the equipment safely rules out small scuttle holes and walking across the ceiling joists. Everyone in this business has squirmed through a scuttle hole in a clothes closet and, at least one time, stepped through the ceiling. Not fun for anyone. Let’s first talk about accessing the attic. Pull down ladders or doors off upstairs rooms are great — that is unless the pull down ladder is not up to par or the tech is a bit portly (a nice word for fat). We all have stories of ladders that have callapsed. In one case the tech, in good health and not overweight, spent weeks

In a retrofit, the HVAC company, installer, and tech will probably not make changes to the scuttle hole but removal of the existing furnace or air handler may require disassembly to get it though the small access hole. If the new replacement equipment cannot fit through the existing scuttle, enlarging the hole will be necessary and must be included in the proposal pricing. Obviously, the sales person must know the code and do more than a kitchen table presentation. Once in the attic, code IMC 306.2 requires a “…continuous solid flooring not less than 24 inches wi de” from the attic access to the equipment which shall be “…not more than 20 feet in length measured along the centerline of the passageway from the opening to the appliance.” Additionally, 306.2 requires “A level service space not less than 30 inches deep and 30 inches wide..at the front or service side of the appliance.”

in the hospital with surgery and rehab. In other case, the falling tech destroyed a primo model train and damaged the Jag. Again, no one was happy.

We don’t have anything to say about these construction products, but we are directed by code to have a minimum size for the scuttle hole.

Lunch & Learn Webinars 2 nd Monday at 12 Noon