IMC code change for chilled beam design

IMC code change recognizes dry coil use in chilled beam design

The International Mechanical Code (IMC) in the U.S. has approved a code change proposal from the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute’s (AHRI) Chilled Beam Product Section to remove the requirement for condensate drains for certain chilled beam designs. The change will be implemented in the 2015 version of the IMC.

The previous code required condensate drains for equipment, whereas in chilled beam systems with dry coils, which have been operating successfully for 25 years, condensation prevention strategies are already part of the design.

“It is important that contractors and inspectors are aware of this change,” said AHRI President and CEO Stephen Yurek. “The code now includes an exception to Section 307.2 for dry evaporators or cooling coils, which are designed to operate in sensible cooling only and are not designed to support condensation.”

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