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Make Up Air requirement in San Francisco

7 years ago

Hi

Hope someone can help. We are finalizing kitchen designs and have fallen for the Miele 48" Range and 1200 com Range hood. All was looking good until I discovered Makeup Air requirements! Does anyone know if they apply in San Francisco? I have searched around and can't find any details

Thanks

Ben

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Comments (2)

jwvideo
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
The Code "requirement" usually means the one in International Residential Code section M1503.4. (That citation may help with further research.) This is the IRC section that requires MUA for kitchen vents pulling more than 400 cfm. Localities often adopt the IRC by reference, incorporating it into the local building code. When I searched on "international residential code + San Francisco + code" I found this citation for the opening section of San Francisco's building code which says the City has adopted the IRC as part of its Codes.

If things were not already complicated, it looks like California also has enacted or promulgated a California Energy Code, a California Mechanical Code, and a California Residential Code. Apparently, each of them has something to say about kitchen venting requirements, CFM capacity, noise levels from hoods, and other matters.

All that being said, there are plenty of reasons why you might well need MUA with a 1200 CFM hood even if the Codes do not actually require it. The most important reason starts with avoiding backdrafting other gas burning appliances (such as water heaters) or fireplaces, but there are additional reasons. Have you seen the other current thread on MUA "requirements?" If not, the link is here.
Remodel Addict thanked jwvideo
Remodel Addict
Original Author
7 years ago
jwvideo

Thanks for the detailed response. I have spent the last few hours reading and understanding more about how to meet MUA requirements and it does not sound as onerous as I first thought. We are having renovation work completed anyway, so it does not seem that crazy or expensive to add an additional interlocked outside vent.

Ben
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