2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 8.7 - School Energy Efficiency Stimulus Program › ARTICLE 3 - School Reopening Ventilation and Energy Efficiency Verification and Repair Program › Section 1623.

1623. (a) (1) The local educational agency receiving a grant shall install filtration with a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 13 or better in the local educational agency’s HVAC system where feasible. Qualified testing personnel shall review system capacity and airflow to determine the highest MERV filtration that can be installed without adversely impacting equipment, shall replace or upgrade filters where needed, and shall verify that those filters are installed correctly. If a system uses ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) to disinfect the air, the UVGI lamp shall be checked for proper operation, replacing bulbs as needed and verifying that the ultraviolet light does not shine on filters. Recommendations for additional maintenance, replacement, or upgrades to allow for more protective filtration shall be recorded in the assessment report required pursuant to Section 1626.
(2) For systems with economizers, qualified testing personnel shall test system economizer dampers pursuant to Section B of NRCA-MCH-05-A–Air Economizer Controls. Economizer dampers and controls that are not properly functioning shall be repaired by a skilled and trained workforce. Recommendations for additional maintenance, replacement, or upgrades shall be recorded in the assessment report.
(b) (1) After completing the requirements of subdivision (a), a qualified testing personnel shall verify the ventilation rates in the facility classrooms, auditoriums, gymnasiums, nurses offices, restrooms, and other occupied areas to assess whether they meet the minimum ventilation rate requirements set forth in Table 120.1-A of Part 6 (commencing with Section 100.0) of Title 24 California Code of Regulations. Assessment shall include all of the following:
(A) Calculation of the required minimum outside air ventilation rates for each occupied area based on the anticipated occupancy and the minimum required ventilation rate per occupant set forth in Table 120.1-A. Calculations shall be based on maximum anticipated classroom or other occupied area occupancy rates and determined by the performing technician. Natural Ventilation shall be designed in accordance with Section 402.2 of the California Mechanical Code (Part 4 (commencing with Section 1.1.0) of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations) and shall include mechanical ventilation systems designed in accordance with Section 403.0, Section 404.0, or both of those sections, of the California Mechanical Code.
(B) Measurement of outside air pursuant to Section B of NRCA-MCH-02-A–Outdoor Air Acceptance and verification of whether the system provides the minimum outside air ventilation rates calculated in subparagraph (A).
(C) Survey readings of inlets and outlets to verify all ventilation is reaching the served zone and that there is adequate distribution. Verify if inlets and outlets are balanced within tolerance of the system design. Document read values and deficiencies. If the original system design values are not available, document available information and note unavailability of system design values in the assessment report.
(D) Verification of building pressure relative to the outdoors to ensure positive pressure differential and to ensure the building is not over pressurized.
(E) Verification of coil velocities and coil and unit discharge air temperatures required to maintain desired indoor conditions and to avoid moisture carry over from cooling coils.
(F) Verification that separation between outdoor air intakes and exhaust discharge outlets meet requirements of the California Building Code.
(G) Confirmation that the air handling unit is bringing in outdoor air and removing exhaust air as intended by the system design.
(H) Measurement of all exhaust air volume for exhaust fans, including restrooms. Document any discrepancies from system design.
(2) If the system does not meet the minimum ventilation rate requirements set forth in Table 120.1-A, a licensed professional or qualified adjusting personnel shall review the system airflow and capacity to determine if additional ventilation can be provided without adversely impacting equipment performance and building indoor environmental quality. If additional ventilation can be provided, a qualified adjusting personnel shall adjust ventilation rates to meet the minimum ventilation rate requirements set forth in Table 120.1-A to the extent feasible. After the adjustment, the measurement and versifications required in subparagraphs (B), (D), and (E) of paragraph (1) shall be repeated. If minimum ventilation rate requirements set forth in Table 120.1-A cannot be met, this deficiency shall be reported in the assessment report and the verification report, and addressed by a licensed professional as required pursuant to Sections 1626 and 1627.
(c) If a demand control ventilation is installed, it shall be adjusted to a carbon dioxide set point of 800 ppm or less and tested by a qualified testing personnel pursuant to Section B of NRCA-MCH-06-A–Demand Control Ventilation Systems Acceptance. If the demand control ventilation system does not maintain average daily maximum carbon dioxide levels below 1,100 ppm, it shall be disabled until such time as the local educational agency determines that the COVID-19 crisis has passed, unless disabling the control would adversely affect operation of the overall system. When disabling a demand control ventilation system, the system must be configured to meet the minimum ventilation rate requirements and tested and adjusted in accordance with paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 1625. Recommendations for additional maintenance, replacement or upgrades shall be recorded in the assessment report.
(d) A qualified testing personnel or a skilled and trained workforce shall verify coil condition, condensate drainage, cooling coil air temperature differentials (entering and leaving dry bulb), heat exchanger operation, and drive assembly. If repairs, replacement, or upgrades are necessary, these deficiencies shall be reported in the assessment report and the verification report, and addressed by the licensed professional pursuant to Sections 1626 and 1627.
(e) A qualified testing personnel or qualified adjusting personnel shall do all of the following:
(1) Review control sequences to verify systems will maintain intended ventilation, temperature and humidity conditions during school operation. Previously unoccupied buildings shall perform the recommended practices of reopening a building as covered in the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Building Readiness document – Restarting a Building.
(2) Verify a daily flush is scheduled for two hours before and after scheduled occupancy or demonstrate calculation of flush times per ASHRAE Guidance for Reopening and Operating Schools and Buildings or otherwise applicable local or state guidance.
(3) Verify that HVAC system operational times, exhaust fans operation times, setpoints, and enabled features meet ASHRAE Guidance for Reopening and Operating Schools and Buildings or otherwise applicable local or state guidance.
(f) Requirements for filtration levels, ventilation rates, and ventilation schedules may be amended by the Energy Commission based on the latest COVID-19 or other applicable guidance.
(Added by Stats. 2020, Ch. 372, Sec. 5. (AB 841) Effective January 1, 2021. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, pursuant to Section 1640.)