61G15-34.003. Design of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Systems

(1) Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) Systems include those systems that control the temperature, humidity, or indoor air quality of a particular space, building or network of buildings. Items to be considered in the design and analysis of HVACR systems are, as applicable to the particular project: peak and block load characteristics and capacities; minimum ventilation; filtration; heat or energy transfer; movement of air, water, or other fluids associated with HVACR processes; pressure drop; instrumentation and control; performance requirements; and installation requirements.

(2) The HVACR System(s) shall be based on and shall reference the Florida Building Code, the Florida Fire Prevention Code, any other applicable standards (such as ASHRAE, NFPA, ASME, ANSI, IIAR, etc.); or if no other such standards are available on alternative engineering sources and good engineering practice.

(3) For Mechanical Engineering Documents pertaining to HVACR systems exempted by the threshold requirements for mandatory use of professional engineering services established by Section 471.003(2)(h), F.S., the Engineer of Record shall determine the level of detail shown on plans for HVACR systems. All such plans must include a disclaimer stating the HVACR systems are exempt from professional engineering services and shall provide a clear understanding of the minimum system requirements expected to be installed by the contractor and permitted by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). In the event the Engineer of Record provides more information and direction than is minimally required, he or she shall be held responsible for the technical accuracy of the work in accordance with applicable codes, standards and sound engineering principles.

(4) Mechanical Engineering Documents pertaining to HVACR systems that exceed the threshold requirements for mandatory use of professional engineering services must include the following information, if applicable to the particular project:

(a) Demonstrate and provide adequate information for the AHJ to determine compliance with codes and ordinances. These may include test methods and results; or data and tabulations that are results of the design.

(b) Equipment selection schedule for each piece of mechanical equipment. All equipment must include the following information, if applicable to the particular equipment:

1. Equipment efficiencies.

2. Electrical requirements based on voltage and phase.

3. Fuel requirements.

4. Static pressure and fan air quantities.

5. Fluid flow and pressure head quantities.

6. Heat transfer capacities.

7. Cooling coil requirements based on sensible heat, latent heat, and total heat gains.

8. Filtration requirements.

9. Motor sizes and quantities to demonstrate compliance with the Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation.

(c) Floor plans; site plans; and building and mechanical system sections or elevations as appropriate to provide the minimum system requirements expected to be installed by the contractor.

(d) Ventilation requirements based on natural or mechanical means, as necessary for demonstrating compliance with the Florida Building Code, Mechanical.

(e) Energy recovery requirements.

(f) Outside and inside design conditions for cooling, heating, dehumidification, evaporation, and humidification processes, as applicable.

1. Processes affecting sensible heat only may specify outside dry bulb temperature only.

2. Processes affecting latent heat only may specify outside humidity ratio only.

3. Processes affecting total heat must specify outside dry bulb temperature and at least one other coincidental psychrometric state point.

4. Inside design conditions must include dry bulb temperature and either wet bulb temperature or relative humidity for cooling and heating conditions, as applicable. Where inside design conditions are setback based on occupancy, both occupied and unoccupied design conditions must be listed.

(g) Duct riser diagrams when ductwork travels vertically more than three stories.

(h) Process schematic flow diagrams with pipe sizes and fluid flow quantities.

(i) Condensation discharge piping layout with pipe sizes.

(j) Instrumentation and Control System requirements, unless included on either Electrical or on Instrumentation and Control plans to ensure intentional operation of the system.

(k) Unless included on plumbing system plans, design for fuel gas system, including piping layout and sizes; isometric or riser diagram with pipe sizes; and fuel gas capacity and pressure for each pipe section.

(l) Ductwork layout and sizing; insulation requirements; supply, return, and exhaust inlet and outlet sizes; and outside air intake sizes. Air quantities shall be specified for inlets and outlets.

(m) Piping layout and sizing; and insulation requirements.

(n) Materials for all HVACR systems shall be specified.

(o) All data needed to complete the calculations for compliance with Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation as applicable.

(p) Identify and locate required fire protection devices, such as fire dampers, smoke dampers, and smoke detectors.

(q) A list, description, or details of through-penetration firestop systems as applicable.

(r) Building pressurization criteria as applicable.

1. Overall building net pressurization consisting of an air balance summary of outside (fresh) ventilation air quantities versus exhaust air quantities. For existing facilities where only a portion of the building is being renovated, the air balance summary must include all affected areas, which may not require an air balance summary for the entire building.

2. In spaces with critical pressurization requirements, such as in health care facilities, pharmaceutical facilities, and laboratories, a pressurization summary or diagram depicting pressure relationship with adjacent spaces. Supply, return, exhaust, and make-up air quantities, overall room pressurization, and make-up (transfer) air pathways shall be specified. For spaces with varying conditions, the pressurization summary shall include scenarios at both maximum and minimum design conditions.

(s) Systems commissioning requirements for demonstrating compliance with the Florida Build Code, Energy Conservation.

(5) No later than December 31, 2026, the Board shall review and consider amendment, modification, or repeal of this rule if review determines this rule creates barriers to entry for private business competition, is duplicative, outdated, obsolete, overly burdensome, or imposes excessive costs. Failure by the Board at act in accordance with this provision will result in the expiration of this rule on December 31, 2026.

Rulemaking Authority 471.008, 471.033(2) FS. Law Implemented 471.033 FS. History–New 11-16-94, Amended 11-13-08, 4-25-21, 11-24-21, 8-4-22.