CHAPTER 6. MECHANICAL SYSTEMS

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES

6-1. GENERAL. Mechanical systems shall be consistent with the MPS

and provide project sites and buildings with the following

services:

a\. Proper temperatures within buildings and spaces to

maintain health, comfort and system safety without

excessive energy usage as defined herein;

b\. Ventilation of dwelling and public spaces to maintain

health and sanitary spaces;

c\. Required ventilation of mechanical and structural areas

to insure safe system functioning; and

d\. Plumbing systems for the storage, supply, distribution

and drainage of water, and sewage systems required to

maintain safe and sanitary sites and buildings.

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SECTION 1: MANDATORY STANDARDS

6-2. MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT

a\. Operation. Mechanical equipment shall be safe and

efficient to operate and durable, dependable and

economical to maintain. Equipment shall operate within

appropriate noise levels so as not to interfere with

tenant use of buildings and spaces. Mechanical equipment

shall be provided with ventilation for combustion and

maintenance of safe ambient temperatures.

b\. Location. Equipment, panels and mechanical rooms shall

not be accessible to unauthorized personnel. Equipment

not located within mechanical rooms shall be protected

by vandal-resistant cages or other equivalent means.

Mechanical rooms shall be provided with self-closing

locks with free knobs on the inside, with access by key

only. For technical requirement for doors, see paragraph

10-7. Mechanical and electrical rooms shall be separate,

sole use spaces. These rooms shall not be used as

passageways, storage areas or for any other purpose.

Mechanical rooms and equipment shall be illuminated for

safe and convenient use, inspection and maintenance.

6-3. HEATING. Heating facilities shall be provided for

interior residential, community, public and utility spaces

where mechanical heating is considered necessary to provide

comfort and system safety.

a\. Space Temperatures. Set-back thermostat controls shall

be provided when cost-effective. New or replacement

thermostats installed in habitable spaces shall be

factory set for a maximum temperature of no more than 75F

for elderly dwelling units and 72F for non-elderly

dwelling units. Thermostat controls that are to be moved

should not be located in public areas (i.e., hallways,

etc). Where conditions necessitate placement of

thermostats in public spaces, these units shall be tamper

resistant.

\(1\) Habitable Spaces. In family projects, the heating

system for habitable spaces shall be capable of

attaining 65F based upon outside design temperature.

In elderly projects, the heating system for

habitable spaces shall be capable of attaining 75F

based upon outside design temperature.

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NOTE: Dwelling unit thermostats should be inspected

for proper placement. Inaccurate space temperature

reading may be caused by location of thermostats on

outside walls, adjacent to exterior doors, windows,

or cooking areas.

\(2\) Non-Habitable Spaces. Maintenance, mechanical and

other non-habitable spaces shall be maintained at a

temperature that provides adequate working

conditions and safe system functioning.

b\. Space Heating Equipment. Space heating equipment shall

be retrofitted with energy conservation devices that are

cost-effective, such as:

o Electric and electronic pilots;

o Flue damper;

o Duct heat recovery device;

o Reduced oil nozzle size;

o Tenant fuel metering;

o Replacement of obsolete equipment;

o Setback thermostat; or

o Other.

\(1\) Individual Gas or Oil Heaters. Individual gas and

oil heaters shall be connected to an approved vent,

flue or chimney, and shall have adequate air supply

for complete fuel combustion. Heaters shall be

protected to prevent unsafe human contact or fires

and have clearances around them. Floors beneath

equipment shall be protected against fire and

deterioration. Screening shall not minimize required

ventilation to the space heater. When provided new

or replaced, individual controls or units shall not

be positioned near the floor, especially in elderly

projects or in units for the handicapped.

\(2\) Open Flame Heaters. Open flame radiant space

heaters shall not be used.

c\. Central Heating Equipment. Central heating equipment

shall be retrofitted with energy conservation

opportunities and devices that are cost-effective, such

as:

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o Flue heat recovery;

o Insulation;

o Turbulators;

o Replacement of obsolete plant; or

o Other.

d\. Central Distribution Systems. All heating elements shall

be protected to prevent unsafe human contact or fires.

Heating distribution systems shall be retrofitted with

energy conservation devices that are cost-effective, such

as:

o Individual hydronic controls;

o Zone control;

o Insulation of hot water and steam piping;

o Boiler control from outdoor temperature;

or

o Other.

6-4. DOMESTIC HOT WATER.

a\. Systems. Domestic hot water heater systems shall have

the capacity to maintain a minimum water temperature of

l00F The maximum water temperature shall not exceed l20F

at the tap for typical dwelling unit use. Heaters shall

be connected to an approved vent, flue or chimney and

shall have adequate air supply for fuel combustion.

Domestic hot water heating systems shall be with

retrofitted energy conservation devices that are cost-

effective, such as:

o Jacket insulation for electric heaters;

o Off peak control of electric water heaters;

o Solar collector systems;

o New high-efficiency water heater replacement;

or

o Other.

b\. Equipment location. Fossil fuel fired hot water heaters

shall not be located in any room used or designed to be

used for sleeping purposes such as bedrooms or combined

bedroom/living rooms. Gas and oil fired water heaters

shall not be located in bathroom, clothes closets, under

stairways, or in a confined space with access only to

that

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location. Heaters located in closets designed for that

purpose shall be vented. Heaters shall have clearances

around them and shall be protected to prevent unsafe

human contact or fires. Floors beneath equipment shall

be protected against fire and deterioration.

6-5. VENTILATION. Habitable rooms, except kitchens and bathrooms,

shall have natural ventilation through operable glazed

openings that open directly to streets, courts or project

site and not to window wells. Required opening shall be a

minimum of 3 ft. from an exterior obstruction. Habitable

rooms located below grade shall have required light and

ventilation areas located above the level of the adjoining

ground. Bathrooms, toilet compartments, kitchenettes and

cooking areas may be provided with mechanical ventilation in

lieu of natural ventilation. Ventilation systems shall be

retrofitted with energy conservation devices that are cost-

effective, such as:

o Reducing supply/outdoor air quantities;

o Automatic timer control; and

o Other.

Exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms may be provided when

required by local codes. New range hoods shall be ductless

and shall use replacement filters. For technical

requirements for stoves/ovens, see paragraph 5-3b.

a\. Air Quantities. All spaces that require mechanical

outdoor air ventilation shall have a minimum of 5

cfm/person filtered and tempered outdoor air. Outdoor

air requirements shall not exceed this level unless

specified.

b\. Equipment and Appliances. Clothes dryers shall be vented

to the building exterior or to a mechanical ventilation

system. Vents, air-conditioner sleeves or other

ventilation openings shall be sealed or closed-fitted to

prevent excess air or water infiltration.

6-6. PLUMBING. Project site and building plumbing systems shall

provide adequate water supply and distribution, drainage,

sewage venting, and all required materials and fixtures to

provide: maintenance of tenant health and safety and of

cleanliness; disposal of human and other waste; and safe,

efficient and environmentally sound site and building storm

drainage.

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a\. Water Supply. Hot and cold water shall be supplied to

all plumbing fixtures except water closets, urinals, and

drinking fountains, which shall be supplied with cold

water only. Water supply to plumbing fixtures shall be

free of contamination. There shall not be cross

connections or water inlets for fixtures below the

overflow rim that could lead to back-siphonage and

contamination. Temperatures above l20F shall only be

provided for washing machines.

b\. Plumbing Fixtures. All plumbing fixtures shall perform

the function for which they were designed, as follows:

\(1\) Be connected to an approved water system and

with sufficient supply and pressure to enable

satisfactory functioning;

\(2\) Be vented, as required;

\(3\) Be fabricated of non-absorbent materials;

and

\(4\) Be installed in locations accessible for cleaning

the fixture and surrounding area to maintain

sanitary conditions that will not breed

infestations.

NOTE: For other requirements, see Chapter 5.

Fixtures shall be retrofitted with energy conservation

devices that are cost-effective, such as:

o Shower flow restrictors;

o Faucet flow restrictors;

o New \"energy efficient\" faucets;

o Water savers in the water closets;

o Hydro-pneumatic pumping; and

o Other.

c\. Sewage System. Plumbing fixtures shall be connected to

an approved sewage disposal system. All parts of the

sewage system shall be in proper working condition.

d\. Storm Drainage. Where installed, storm drainage systems

shall effectively drain water from project sites and

buildings to prevent hazards to public safety and

property maintenance.

6-7. RESERVED

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SECTION 2: PROJECT SPECIFIC STANDARDS

6-2B. RESERVED.

6-3B. RESERVED.

6-4B. RESERVED.

6-5B. RESERVED.

6-6B. PLUMBING.

a\. Water Supply. Water softening or other water treatment

equipment may be provided only in areas where hard water

has produced problem scaling or clogging of supply pipes.

b\. Reserved.

c\. Reserved.

d\. Reserved.

6-7B. COOLING.

a\. Cooling with Mechanical Means. Where dwelling units or

public spaces are currently cooled, the following

requirements shall not be exceeded.

\(1\) Interior spaces shall not be cooled to less than

78F;

\(2\) Interior spaces shall not be dehumidified to less

than 60% relative humidity;

\(3\) Cooling systems should be retrofitted with any of

the following energy conservation devices that are

cost-effective, such as:

o Ambient control;

o Insulation;

o Replace obsolete equipment; or

o Other.

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\(4\) Spaces shall not have simultaneous cooling and

heating; and

\(5\) Storage, mechanical and other uninhabited spaces

shall not be cooled.

b\. Provision of Electrical Service Outlets. Outlets as well

as sleeves for tenant-owned, through-the-wall units may

be installed when the project does not provide the

equipment. This provision may be considered only when it

is customary in the area to allow tenants in low- and

moderate-income housing to install air-conditioning.

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