ES5: No HVAC equipment or ductwork located in garage, and no conditioned air supplied to garage

Purpose

Garages, including attached and carports, are known sources of indoor air contaminants and must be fully separated from conditioned space. To ensure that HVAC systems for the living space, including equipment and ductwork, are fully separated from garages they cannot be installed these spaces and cannot provide conditioned air to them.

Criteria

Do not located HVAC equipment or ductwork inside garage spaces. Do not design distribution equipment to supply conditioned air to garage spaces.

Clarification

HVAC equipment and ductwork are considered separate from garage spaces if they are separated from the garage by ≥1/4" drywall that has been air sealed at all penetrations and connections. If equipment and/or ductwork is located in a closet that is accessible from the garage, the closet must be air sealed to separate the closet from the garage and the door should be gasketed on all sides.

Confirmation

Technical Advisor will visually confirm that HVAC equipment and ductwork is separated from garage spaces during mid-construction inspection(s). If necessary, Technical Advisor shall complete verification that the entire system is separated at the final inspection.