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Top Ten Code
Violations
Larry Keathley
January 2008
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1. Violation of Ark Statue 17-33-301. Failure to have the appropriate license to do HVACR work. These consist of persons with no license whatsoever, some with registrant cards doing contractor work and others with Class "C" licenses doing installations.
2. Arkansas Mechanical Code Section 102.6 (Requirements not Covered by Code). This section is used for miscellaneous items not specifically covered in the code book.
3. Arkansas Mechanical Code Section 301.2 Failure to install listed equipment according to it's listing. For instance, a geothermal unit is listed to be installed in a conditioned space but instead is installed outdoors.
4. Arkansas Mechanical Code Section 304.8.6.1 Auxiliary Drain Pans. Failure to provide a secondary drain pan under air conditioning coils installed above ceilings or not providing a properly sized drain pan.
5. Arkansas Mechanical Code Section 604.3.2 Failure to install flexible duct according to it's listing. In order for flex duct to be used in Arkansas it must be installed in accordance with the manufactures installation instructions and by the terms of it's listing regarding sizing, hanging or other support connection and joining, etc.
6. Arkansas Mechanical Code Section 605.1.1 failure to seal joints and seams as required by Section 603. This generally means that the flex duct was not sealed with UL approved tape for flexible ducts.
7. Arkansas Mechanical Code Section 605.3 Failure to properly support ducts. Many ducts are either left laying on the ground in crawl spaces or drooped over braces and other structural members in attic spaces. This causes restrictions in the air flow, especially for flex duct.
8. Arkansas Mechanical Code Section 605.4 Failure to provide a minimum of 4" clearance under the duct from the ground in crawl spaces. This is a health consideration. Ducts lying on the ground could pick-up water or sewage and distribute unhealthy chemicals or bacteria through the household via the heating and air conditioning system.
9. Arkansas Mechanical Code Section 606.2.1 Failure to properly insulate ducts. All ducts in unconditioned spaces must be insulated. The ceiling boot in the attic and the floor boot in the crawl space are part of the duct system. Do not rely on the attic insulation to be duct insulation. These can be and quite often are disturbed and come away from the duct. They also seldom have the correct vapor barrier.
10. Arkansas Mechanical Code Section 1107.1.3 Failure to properly insulate refrigerant lines. The two main areas of problem here are failure to insulated the entire line and the use of 3/8" insulation rather than the prescribed 1/2". Many times the expansion valve at the evaporator is not properly insulated and creates a lot of condensate. This is particularly bad in an attic application where the ceiling can be damaged.
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