laundry exhaust

[normbac]

I was told exhaust fans were mandatory in residential single fam laundry rooms but I can not find it in the 05 is this correct or is it just a good idea to install one

[jmsbrush]

I'm not too sure about that,

[zappy]

If there's no window maybe?

[normbac]

any code reference TIA

[brantmacga]

that would be in the building code if it were true, and i've never seen that code. i know they're required in bathrooms w/o a window. i've never installed an exhaust fan in the laundry room. check w/ your AHJ.

[SEO]

Thats a local code (not in NEC) it's usually a health department issue.

[electricmanscott]

that would be in the building code if it were true, and i've never seen that code. i know they're required in bathrooms w/o a window. i've never installed an exhaust fan in the laundry room. check w/ your AHJ.


This is NOT a nationwide requirement. A good chunk of the country experiences winter and it would be foolish to open the window as a means of ventilation.

Massachusetts requires all bathrooms to have mechanical ventilation.

[360Youth]

This is NOT a nationwide requirement.

That's kind of funny beccause I was reading his post and thinking, "Wow, it's not just us." :D

[ohm]

that would be in the building code if it were true, and i've never seen that code. i know they're required in bathrooms w/o a window. i've never installed an exhaust fan in the laundry room. check w/ your AHJ.

I agree, but it might not be a bad way to lower AC costs and humidity by running fan in the summer.

[C3PO]

I have never heard of anyone putting an exhaust fan in a laundry room in this area.

[SEO]

The fan is for radon gas removal. It's a county health dept issue where I live. I don't know if it works or not.

[C3PO]

The fan is for radon gas removal. It's a county health dept issue where I live. I don't know if it works or not.

Where is the radon coming from?

[electricmanscott]

The fan is for radon gas removal. It's a county health dept issue where I live. I don't know if it works or not.


What fan? :-?

[hillbilly]

I was told exhaust fans were mandatory in residential single fam laundry rooms but I can not find it in the 05 is this correct or is it just a good idea to install one

If that laundry room has a clothes dryer, it already has a big exhaust fan.
It's built into the dryer:) .

You're not talking about venting the dryer to the outside are you?

steve

[grant]

I know years ago we had to install exhaust fans in the laundry to meed FHA lending requirements. It really had nothing to do the the NEC. In our area most laundrys have exhaust fans since no one likes leaving a window open during the winter.

[SEO]

The fan is for radon gas removal. It's a county health dept issue where I live. I don't know if it works or not.
Radon gas accumulates under the slabs and foundations of homes and enters through construction cracks and openings. New homes in my county are tested for radon . A fan with vent pipe is one method that I've heard of but there are other methods to mitigate the gas.

[SEO]

Radon gas accumulates under the slabs and foundations of homes and enters through construction cracks and openings. New homes in my county are tested for radon . A fan with vent pipe is one method that I've heard of but there are other methods to mitigate the gas.
If the laundry room is in the basement than a fan might be required.

[brantmacga]

This is NOT a nationwide requirement. A good chunk of the country experiences winter and it would be foolish to open the window as a means of ventilation.

Massachusetts requires all bathrooms to have mechanical ventilation.

My post didn't say you couldn't install a fan in a bathroom w/ a window; it said you have to install one in a bath w/o a window. That is in the building code. Did you notice the last line that said "check w/ your AHJ" ? ;)

[bauler]

Its part of the building code, not NEC. If I remember right the window has to be a percentage of the floor area, 10% ??? If the wall between the adjoining room has an opening 50% or more than the windows in the adjoining room count toward this requirement, % of both rooms. Usually the common wall rule wouldn't apply to a bath or laundry room. I think even a open able skylight counts too. You should ask your AHJ.

[electricmanscott]

I know years ago we had to install exhaust fans in the laundry to meed FHA lending requirements. It really had nothing to do the the NEC. In our area most laundrys have exhaust fans since no one likes leaving a window open during the winter.


Why would you need to open a window to do laundry?

[stickboy1375]

I'm not sure any of you guys are on the page. :grin:

[grant]

Why would you need to open a window to do laundry?

I take it you either live alone.... or don't wear socks! Moisture is not the only thing associated with laundry, especially if you only do it once a week.

[ohm]

I know years ago we had to install exhaust fans in the laundry to meed FHA lending requirements. It really had nothing to do the the NEC. In our area most laundrys have exhaust fans since no one likes leaving a window open during the winter.

Where does the air come from to exhaust?:confused:

[grant]

Where does the air come from to exhaust?:confused:

The same place the air comes from that lets your fireplace and the burners on your stove burn, and allows you to inhale. If you find a place that air tight let me know what kind of seal they have at the bottom of the exterior doors, I could use some.

[ohm]

The same place the air comes from that lets your fireplace and the burners on your stove burn, and allows you to inhale. If you find a place that air tight let me know what kind of seal they have at the bottom of the exterior doors, I could use some.

Could it come from an open window?:wink:

[LarryFine]

I've noticed that most commercial buildings include a fresh-air intake into the return of the HVAC system. That makes up for all of the various exhaust systems, and presents a slight positive pressure inside the buildings.

That minimizes air infiltration and reduces the intake of unconditioned air when doors are opened, etc. I've asked more than one HVAC guy why we don't do the same thing in homes. They've all said it was a great idea, but nobody does it.

It seems that, with all of the air exhaust systems (bath and kitchen fans, furnaces and chimneys, clothes dryers, etc.), it would be better to have fresh air mixed with the return air and conditioned, than leak in around doors and windows.

[c2500]

The only thing I can readily find is the standard IRC requirement that dryers be vented to the outdoors.

From the 2006 IRC.......M1502.1 General. Dryer exhaust systems shall be independent of all other systems, and shall convey moisture to the outdoors.

Exception: This section shall not apply to listed and labeled condensing (ductless) clothes dryers.

Unless there is a local requirement, there is NO requirement for laundry room ducting.

With reference to radon venting, this is normally done with 3" pvcpipe ducted to the rood from under the slab. No fan unit is installed unless radon is an issue. There is, however, a requirement of power being accessible in the attic so that if a fan is needed, it has there is available power to run it. (Per my conversation with out local head building inspector.)

c2500

[c2500]

I've noticed that most commercial buildings include a fresh-air intake into the return of the HVAC system. That makes up for all of the various exhaust systems, and presents a slight positive pressure inside the buildings.

That minimizes air infiltration and reduces the intake of unconditioned air when doors are opened, etc. I've asked more than one HVAC guy why we don't do the same thing in homes. They've all said it was a great idea, but nobody does it.

It seems that, with all of the air exhaust systems (bath and kitchen fans, furnaces and chimneys, clothes dryers, etc.), it would be better to have fresh air mixed with the return air and conditioned, than leak in around doors and windows.


Larry,

They are doing this in homes. Especially homes that have spray foam insulation or our built exceptionally tight. Trane has a neat system that transfer the heat/coolness to the fresh air and minimizes the heat/cool transfer to the outside. If the home is excessively tight, the pollutant levels indoors can easily exceed the level found outdoors.

The biggest obstacle will be price. If someone is spring for higher end equipment, or they have opted for a tight home, you will find fresh air equipment installed.

c2500

[c2500]

The same place the air comes from that lets your fireplace and the burners on your stove burn, and allows you to inhale. If you find a place that air tight let me know what kind of seal they have at the bottom of the exterior doors, I could use some.


Grant,

Move to SC with a huge wad of cash, and I can build you a house that is so tight....I will get censored if I continue with the saying. If you have heard of "Sick House Syndrome" it is usually caused by a house being to air tight.

c2500

[iaov]

It's a building code issue.

[electra 2008]

Hi, In oregon you are required to have a fan in all laundry rooms and bathrooms, if you don't have an openable window, after july1st, in a bathroom with a shower it must be on a humidistat. not a sp switch anymore...
It is in our building codes though.
kyla

[ohm]

I once lived in a place where all our doors were designed to hold air. And, it did get a little smelly after a few months.http://ssbn636.com/:grin:

[LarryFine]

Trane has a neat system that transfer the heat/coolness to the fresh air and minimizes the heat/cool transfer to the outside. That's not really new. It's called an air-to-air heat exchanger.

[c2500]

That's not really new. It's called an air-to-air heat exchanger.


Well according to the Trane, it is the best and newest thing since sliced bread :D Sadly, it is priced like the bread factory.

c2500