Since 2000 there has been a relatively quiet but significant amount of changes to the codes governing the installation of grease ducts for commercial kitchen applications.
The three major duct code bodies are: • the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA); • the International Mechanical Code (IMC), part of the family of codes developed by the International Code Council (ICC); • the Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC), a part of the International Association of Plumbers and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) code set.
These model codes specify standards and listings developed by independent testing groups such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and American Standard Tests Methods (ASTM).
Basic constructions of grease ducts serving Type I hoods require 16 gauge carbon steel or 18 gauge stainless steel. (References: 2006 IMC – Section 506.3; 2004 NFPA 96 – Section 7.5.1; 2006 UMC – Section 510.5.)
Both types of construction require a minimum 18 in. of clearance- to-combustibles when unprotected (references: 2006 IMC – Section 506.3.6; 2004 NFPA 96 – Section 4.2.1;2006 UMC – Section 507.2.1)
For grease duct applications that don’t require a fire rated system but which do come within closer proximity to combustible materials, the codes allow for a means to reduce the minimum air space between grease duct and combustible (references: 2004 NFPA 96 – Section 4.2.3; 2006 UMC – Section 507.2.1 Exception 2).
Code History
Initial protection, where structural or other considerations didn’t allow room for clearances, was provided by a fire-rated shaft enclosure as defined in model building codes. A one-hour, fire resistive shaft is constructed of a single layer of fire rated gypsum board applied to both sides of metal studs in the manner described by the building codes.
Two-hour rated shafts require an additional layer of fire rated gypsum board.
Proper construction of fire resistive enclosures was found to be very time consuming, especially where offsets were required. In the early 1990’s, Southern Building Code Conference (SBCCI) created the first alternative fire resistive enclosure test criteria based on ASTM E119, ASTM E814 and the internal fire test section of UL1978 “Test Standard for Grease Ducts”. Flexible wrap systems were tested to the model code acceptance criteria and regional acceptance of these systems was achieved.
Soon after, the Building Official and Code Administrators (BOCA) and the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) evaluation services created their own separate acceptance criteria for evaluating alternative fire resistive systems as pertaining to kitchen exhaust. Flexible wrap systems were tested to these model code acceptance criteria and as a result achieved national acceptance as an alternative to a code prescribed fire rated shaft protecting a welded grease duct.
As early as 1994 several manufacturers introduced factory-built grease duct systems composed of completely assembled components designed to easily connect in the field for complete systems. UL1978 is the standard that provides reduced clearances to combustibles and evaluates non-welded joints, in compliance with NFPA, ICC and IAPMO requirements. UL1978 does not evaluate fire resistive enclosures or building materials. It’s solely used for factory-built ducts that are completely assembled in the factory, listed and labeled and subject to periodic inspections by the listing agency to assure materials and final construction is equivalent to the products tested per the UL1978 standard. Clearances must be displayed on the UL label and installed in accordance with the clearances specified. UL1978 listed grease ducts must be installed per the manufacturers installation instructions that meet the minimum requirements of the standard.
ASTM Raises the Bar
In January 2009, Underwriters Laboratories, Intertek Systems, and the International Code Council Evaluation Services (ICC-ES) are jointly abandoning all listings or evaluations that are based on SBCCI and BOCA acceptance criteria. Both criteria use the internal fire test portion of UL1978, which addresses reduced clearances for field-applied flexible wrap systems. Once abandoned, the only listing for flexible wraps applied to grease ducts will be ASTM E2336-04.
For non-fire rated grease duct applications (grease ducts that don’t penetrate a fire partition), any edition of any code requiring a “listed” product to reduce clearances can only allow flexible wraps installed in compliance with ASTM E2336-04. Factory-built systems listed to UL 1978 for reduced clearances are not affected by this change and may be used in installations where a fire restive enclosure is not required (references: 2006 IMC – Section 5.6.3 Exception; 2004 NFPA 96 – Section 4.2.2; 2006 UMC – Section 5.7.2.1 Exception 1).
Listed single wall factory built grease ducts will not be allowed to be enclosed or wrapped with one or more layers of flexible wrap material unless the factory built grease duct listing and the flexible wrap manufacturer’s listing clearly states such system has been evaluated to UL1978. This isn’t a new development based on changes to the national codes, however the UL guidelines for UL1978 test standard is clear on this issue and code officials having jurisdiction should be aware to limit liability of a “non-listed” system that results from combining the two products.
UL 2221, “Tests of Fire Resistive Duct Assemblies” and ASTM E2336-04 “Standard Test Methods for Fire Resistive Grease Duct Enclosure Systems” are the standards applied to alternative construction methods for fire resistive shafts (references: 2006 IMC – Section 506.3.10; 2004 NFPA 96 – Section 4.3.1; 2006 UMC – Section 507.2.3).
Compliance with these standards provides an enclosure that is rated at zero inch clearance to combustibles. When penetrating a fire rated partition, the penetration must be fire stopped to the rating of the partition.
Summary
Effective January 2009, all flexible wraps must be applied in accordance with ASTM E2336 where code specifies a product listed to a nationally recognized standard. All other acceptance criteria and regional or nationally recognized approvals are abandoned. Factory-built systems must comply with UL 2221 when used as an alternative shaft enclosure with zero inch clearance-to-combustibles. Factory- Built systems can continue to be installed per their listings for reduced clearances to combustibles as listed in UL 1978 where a fire resistive enclosure is not required.
Implications
Architects & structural engineers: The grease ducts have gotten larger. Allow space for installation. Design systems to minimize offsets.
Mechanical engineers: Be sure to include information on your drawings addressing code compliance, cleanouts, inspection ports, etc.
Specifiers: Include material requirements, flues, casings, insulation thickness if appropriate, and code compliance in your specifications.
Contractors: Know your codes and requirements in the area having jurisdiction over the project. Currently, flexible wrap systems listed per ASTM E2336 require two layers of flexible wrap for compliance.
These changes were brought about for the number one reason for change: safety. To view a new video with details on factory-built grease duct testing and code compliance, visit www.greaseduct. com. Or fax 316/771-4168 requesting a free DVD and include your name and mailing address.
Shaun Ray is a Principle Member of NFPA 96, a member of the ASTM EO5 committee responsible for the development of ASTM E2336, and also a member of the UL Standards Technical Panel for UL 1978 and UL2221. He is director of engineering, Metal-Fab, Inc., Wichita, KS, a manufacturer of factory-built grease duct systems. He can be reached at 316/943-2351, or by email to [email protected]