Ducting Systems and Air Ventilation - Was This Done Correctly?
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RobDude
09-14-09, 06:27 PM
I had an AC Unit installed today. It wasn't mentioned in advance, but they installed a 'vent' in my ceiling in the hallway outside of the room that has the furnace.
They said it was to help with airflow - which is fine.
The 'vent' (if that's the right word for it) is fairly long and spans several of the joists in the ceiling. What strikes me as being 'odd' is that you can visibly see the ceiling joists and electrical wires through the vent. So, it's really like the 'face' of a vent cut into the drywall.
I have similar 'very large vents' in other places in the house and, as best as I can tell, there are no studs behind them.
I'm just curious if this was done 'correctly' or 'alright' or what. I'm not very happy with how it looks and wasn't told that the furnace install would require cutting into drywall in other rooms....but I'm sure they must have had a good reason to do it.
They said it was to help with airflow - which is fine.
The 'vent' (if that's the right word for it) is fairly long and spans several of the joists in the ceiling. What strikes me as being 'odd' is that you can visibly see the ceiling joists and electrical wires through the vent. So, it's really like the 'face' of a vent cut into the drywall.
I have similar 'very large vents' in other places in the house and, as best as I can tell, there are no studs behind them.
I'm just curious if this was done 'correctly' or 'alright' or what. I'm not very happy with how it looks and wasn't told that the furnace install would require cutting into drywall in other rooms....but I'm sure they must have had a good reason to do it.
airman.1994
09-14-09, 07:00 PM
Not sure what this is for. Is this for return air? Or did you get a low in unit and its for combustion air?
RobDude
09-14-09, 09:29 PM
Not sure what this is for. Is this for return air? Or did you get a low in unit and its for combustion air?
I'm not sure honestly. They said that the AC unit needed 'more air' so they added it.
I don't mind them putting it in; it just 'looks funny' to me.
http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/162/28862158259700.jpg
http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/2517/28862161997300.jpg
The furnace is in the room off to the right in the first picture (you can just see the doorway).
I'm not sure honestly. They said that the AC unit needed 'more air' so they added it.
I don't mind them putting it in; it just 'looks funny' to me.
http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/162/28862158259700.jpg
http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/2517/28862161997300.jpg
The furnace is in the room off to the right in the first picture (you can just see the doorway).
juno7
09-27-09, 08:18 PM
RobDude, I believe this was done incorrectly. This is why. I would classify your vent as a joist spaced plenum. Taking a look at the International Mechanical Code book in section 602.3.1 it states " such cavities or spaces shall not be utilized as a plenum for air supply." I believe that they installed this "vent" because there was not enough return air. So now you have the majority of your return air coming from right by the furnace which could be fatal because of carbon monoxide. On top of that, you now have a "sick system" because you are not drawing equal air from other rooms and floors.
I have to ask you, is it required to get a building permit for this type of install in your area? A Building Official would have caught this.
Peter Scofield
I have to ask you, is it required to get a building permit for this type of install in your area? A Building Official would have caught this.
Peter Scofield
juno7
09-28-09, 07:45 PM
Sorry RobDude. After reviewing my previous post I realized that this vent is not a supply air vent but a return air as I said. So the code section that I posted to you would not apply.
But I do have another code that I do believe that applies. This code addresses wiring within a plenum. Code section 602.2.1.1 Says that "Wiring, cable, and raceways shall be listed and labled as plenum rated and shall be installed in accordance with the ICC Electrical Code."
I bet that the wires you see are not plenum rated.
Peter
But I do have another code that I do believe that applies. This code addresses wiring within a plenum. Code section 602.2.1.1 Says that "Wiring, cable, and raceways shall be listed and labled as plenum rated and shall be installed in accordance with the ICC Electrical Code."
I bet that the wires you see are not plenum rated.
Peter