Code of Maryland Regulations
Title 05 - DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Subtitle 04 - SPECIAL LOAN PROGRAMS
Chapter 05.04.02 - Housing Rehabilitation Program-Applicable Codes and Standards
Section 05.04.02.10 - Mechanical Equipment
Universal Citation: MD Code Reg 05.04.02.10
Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 6, March 22, 2024
A. Objective. The objective is to provide mechanical equipment for the building and its living units that will meet the needs of the intended occupants and be of quality and condition which will assure safety of operation, adequate capacity for its intended use, protection from moisture, corrosion, or other destructive elements, reasonable quietness of operation, and reasonable durability and economy of maintenance.
B. General.
(1) All mechanical equipment should be installed so that maintenance and replacement can be performed without the removal of other equipment.
(2) Existing mechanical equipment and systems shall be inspected for faulty operation, fire, or other hazards. Needed replacement or repair shall conform to applicable code requirements.
C. Mechanical Ventilation and Air Conditioning. If mechanical ventilation is required in rooms or other spaces, the equipment or system shall operate satisfactorily if presently in place. If new, it shall be designed and installed to good engineering practice.
D. Heating.
(1) Heating facilities shall be provided for each living unit and other spaces that will be safe and convenient to operate, economical in performance, quiet in operation, free from objectionable drafts, and will assure interior comfort.
(2) Each heating system or device shall have a recognized approval for safety and shall be capable of maintaining a temperature of at least 70 degrees F within the living units, corridors, public spaces, and utility spaces when the outside temperature is at the design temperature.
(3) Open-flame radiant type space heaters may not be permitted except for one- and two-family detached dwellings where it is locally determined to be the predominant method of providing heat for dwellings.
(4) Unvented space heaters may not be permitted except for existing equipment in geographic areas where the use of equipment of this kind is predominant, and only for one- and two-family detached dwellings.
(5) Appropriate clearances around all room or space heaters shall be provided, and the floor shall be protected in an acceptable manner (for gas: NFPA Standard No. 54, 54A; for oil: NFPA Standard No. 31-65).
E. Plumbing.
(1) General. The plumbing system and its appurtenances for each building shall provide satisfactory water supply, sewage, disposal, drainage, venting, and operation of fixtures in conformance with applicable codes or in the manner prescribed by the Program.
(2) Required Fixtures. For required plumbing fixtures see Regulation .05B(5) and (6).
(3) Condition of Existing Plumbing. Plumbing systems, including building sewers, shall operate free of fouling and clogging, and may not have cross connections which permit contamination of water supply or back-siphonage between fixtures.
F. Domestic Water Heating and Storage.
(1) Each building and living unit within the building shall have domestic hot water in quantities sufficient for the needs of the occupants.
(2) Existing water heating and storage equipment shall be in good serviceable condition.
(3) Water heaters may not be installed in a room used or designed to be used for sleeping purposes. Gas- or oil-fired water heaters may not be located in a bathroom clothes closet, under any stairway, or in a confined space with access only to the above locations.
(4) All fuel burning water heaters shall be connected to a vent leading to the exterior of the building.
G. Electrical.
(1) General. All habitable rooms and other appropriate spaces requiring electrical service shall be provided with a system of wiring, wiring devices, and equipment to safely supply electrical energy for proper illumination, appliances, resident security, and other electrical equipment.
(2) Existing Wiring and Equipment. If its continued service is contemplated, existing wiring and electrical equipment may not be a potential source of electrical hazard or ignition of combustible materials. The proper authority shall make this determination. Wherever these potential hazards are determined to be present, replacement of existing wiring and equipment shall be made. Existing facilities that are inadequate to meet anticipated demands shall be appropriately increased.
(3) New Electrical Work. The National Electrical Code shall be used as a guide for design layout and installation of new electrical work. At least two At least two general lighting circuits (15 amp.) and one appliance general lighting circuits (15 amp.) and one appliance circuit (20 amp.) shall be provided for each living unit. Heavy duty equipment shall have individual branch circuits, as required by the National Electrical Code.
Table .10-1
Recommended Size Pipe for Replacements and New Plumbing Work
| Minimum Size of Individual Pipe Fixtures | ||||||
| Branch | Fixture Supply |
Soil or Waste Connection |
Vent Connection | |||
| Fixture | H.W. | C.W. | H.W. | C.W. | ||
| Water Closet | - | 1/2" | - | 3/8" I.P.S. | 3" x 4" | 2" |
| Lavatory | 1/2" | 1/2" | 3/8" O.D. | 3/8" O.D. | 1-1/4" | 1-1/4" |
| Bathtub | 1/2" | 1/2" | 1/2" I.P.S. | 1/2" I.P.S. | 1-1/2" | 1-1/4" |
| Sink | 1/2" | 1/2" | 1/2" O.D. | 1/2" O.D. | 1-1/2" | 1-1/4" |
| Laundry Tray | 1/2" | 1/2" | 1/2" O.D. | 1/2" O.D. | 1-1/2" | 1-1/4" |
| Sink and Tray Combination | 1/2" | 1/2" | 1/2" O.D. | 1/2" O.D. | 1-1/2" | 1-1/4" |
| Shower | 1/2" | 1/2" | 1/2" I.P.S. | 1/2" I.P.S. | 2" | 1-1/4" |
Table .10-2
Heating Capacity-GPH 100 degrees F Rise
| Storage Capacity per Living Unit | ||||||
| Living Units | 0 Gal. | 5 Gal. | 10 Gal. | 15 Gal. | 20 Gal. | 25 Gal. |
| 3 | - | - | - | 85 | 79 | 74 |
| 4 | - | - | - | 89 | 82 | 75 |
| 5 | - | - | - | 94 | 85 | 77 |
| 6 | - | - | - | 109 | 98 | 88 |
| 7 | - | - | - | 124 | 111 | 99 |
| 8 | - | - | 152 | 138 | 124 | 110 |
| 9 | - | - | 159 | 143 | 127 | 112 |
| 10 | - | - | 165 | 148 | 130 | 113 |
| 15 | - | - | 248 | 222 | 195 | 169 |
| 20 | - | 365 | 330 | 295 | 260 | - |
| 25 | - | 457 | 413 | 369 | - | - |
| 30 | 600 | 548 | 495 | 443 | - | - |
| 35 | 660 | 599 | 538 | 476 | - | - |
| 40 | 720 | 650 | 580 | 510 | - | - |
| 50 | 810 | 723 | 635 | 548 | - | - |
| 60 | 900 | 795 | 690 | 585 | - | - |
| 80 | 1050 | 910 | 770 | 630 | - | - |
| 100 | 1150 | 975 | 800 | 625 | ||
| 120 | 1250 | 1040 | 830 | - | - | - |
| 140 | 1350 | 1105 | 860 | - | - | - |
| 160 | 1440 | 1160 | 880 | - | - | - |
| 180 | 1525 | 1210 | 895 | - | - | - |
| 200 | 1600 | 1250 | 905 | - | - | - |
| 225 | 1700 | 1308 | 915 | - | - | - |
| 250 | 1800 | 1363 | - | - | - | - |
| 275 | 1900 | 1420 | - | - | - | - |
| 300 | 2000 | 1475 | - | - | - | - |
Note: Table .10-2 gives the recommended minimum recovery rate in gallons per hour at 100 degrees F rise according to the storage capacity (or size) of the tank, and for a designated number of living units. The blank spaces in the table mean the tank size would be either too small to provide sufficient hot water, or too large a tank to be practical.
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