Philippine Mechanical Code PDF

# Philippine Mechanical Code ## Chapter 6: Boilers and Pressure Vessels **Galatians 6:9:** Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ### Equipment Installed on Roof 1. Equipment installed on the roof shall be enclosed and designed...

# Philippine Mechanical Code ## Chapter 6: Boilers and Pressure Vessels **Galatians 6:9:** Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ### Equipment Installed on Roof 1. Equipment installed on the roof shall be enclosed and designed to withstand climatic conditions in the areas in which it is installed. Each enclosure shall be of reasonable height and shall have at least **36 inches** clearance between the entire successive panel of the equipment and the wall of the enclosure. ### Guards or Rails 2. Guards or rails at least **6 ft** between any part of the equipment and the edge of a roof or similar hazard, or rigidly fixed rail, guards and parapets. 3. Guards or rails at least **42 inches** in height shall be provided on the exposed side of other building structures. ### Strainer Plates 4. Strainer plates on drain inlets shall be designed and installed so that no opening is greater than **½ inch** in the least dimension. ### Minimum Number of Hoisting Ropes 5. The minimum number of hoisting ropes for traction elevators is **3**. 6. The minimum number of hoisting ropes for drum type elevators is **2**. ### Minimum Diameter of Hoisting and Counterweight Ropes 7. The minimum diameter of hoisting and counterweight ropes in elevators is **30 m**. ### Elevators in Apartments and Condominiums 8. In apartments or residential condominium of five (5) storey or more, at least **one** elevator shall be kept on twenty-four (24) hour constant service. ### Elevator Location 9. When 4 or more elevators serve all or the same portion of a building, they shall be located in **not less than 2 hoist ways**. ### Maximum Elevators in One Hoistway 10. The maximum number of elevators allowed in one hoistway is **4**. ### Angle of Inclination of an Escalator 11. The angle of inclination of an escalator shall not exceed **30 degrees** from the horizontal. ### Width Between Balustrades of an Escalator 12. The width between balustrades of an escalator shall not be less than 560 mm but not more than **1.20 m**. ### Rated Speed of an Escalator 13. The rated speed of an escalator measured along the angle of inclination shall not exceed **38 m/min**. ### Separate Exit Doors in a Boiler Room 14. There should be at least **two** separate exit doors in a boiler room. ### Minimum Distance for a Boiler From a Wall 15. No part of the boiler shall be closer than **1 m** from any wall. ### Minimum Distance of a Boiler From a Building Wall 16. In case the building is not made of fire resistive material, boilers shall be located outside the building at a distance of not less than **3 m** from the outside wall of the main building. ### Wind Load for Smoke Stacks 17. Smoke stacks, whether self-supporting or guyed, shall be of sufficient capacity to handle fuel gases, and shall be able to stand a wind load of **175 km/hr**. ### Minimum Height of Smoke Stacks 18. Smoke stacks, whether self-supporting or guyed, shall be of sufficient capacity to handle fuel gases, and shall rise at least **5 m** above the eaves of any building within a radius of 50 m. ### Means of Feeding Water for Boilers 19. Boilers more than 46 sq m heating surface shall each be provided with **two** means of feeding water: one (1) steam driven and one (1) electrically driven or one (1) pump and one (1) injector. ### Check Valves Between Feed Pump and Boiler 20. How many check valves are provided between feed pump and the boiler in addition to the regular shut-off valve? **Two** ### Safety Valves for Boilers 21. Each boiler shall have at least **one** safety valve. 22. For boilers having more than 46 sq m of water surface heating or a generating capacity exceeding **910 kg/hr**, **two** safety valves shall be required. ### Steam Gauge for Boilers 23. Each boiler shall have a steam gauge, with dial range of not less than one and one-half time and not more than **twice** the maximum allowable working pressure. ### Effective Temperature for Comfortable Cooling 24. The effective temperature of the air to be used for comfortable cooling shall be maintained at **15 deg C to 17 deg C**. ### Relative Humidity for Comfortable Cooling 25. The effective relative humidity of the air to be used for comfortable cooling shall be maintained at **50% to 60%**. ### Effective Air Movement for Comfortable Cooling 26. The effective air movement within the living zone of air used for comfortable cooling shall be **4.6 m/min to 7.6 m/min**. ### Water Required for Ammonia Absorption 27. When ammonia is used, the discharge may be into a tank of water, which shall be used for no other purpose except ammonia absorption. At least **1 liter** of water shall be provided for every 120 gallons of ammonia. ### Helmets and Refrigerant Masks 28. Helmets and refrigerant masks shall be used for refrigerating plants more than **45 kg** rating. ### Exhaust Ducts for Window Type Air Conditioners 29. Window type air conditioners shall be provided with exhaust ducts if the exhaust ducts is discharged into corridors/hallways/arcades/sidewalks, etc., and shall be installed **2.10 m** above the floor level. ### Purpose of a Pneumatic Tank 30. In water pumping system for buildings, a pneumatic tank is used and its pressure is designed for **twice** the maximum total dynamic pressure required. ### Flanged Piping 31. A flanged is applied to piping systems of **100 mm** in diameter and above. ### Pipings Less Than 100 mm 32. Pipings less than **100 mm** are screwed. ### Automatic Shut Off Devices 33. Automatic shut off devices are provided for piping carryin **propane**, **butane**, **other gas heavier than air** and **all of these**. ### Refrigerant Storage in a Machine Room 34. Up to **140 kilograms** of refrigerant in approved containers shall be stored in a machine room at any given time. ### Types of Boilers 35. A boiler having a volume exceeding 120 gallons (454 L), a heat input exceeding 200,000 Btu/hr (58.6 kW), or an operating temperature exceeding 210F (99C) that provides hot water to be used externally or itself is a **hot water heating boiler**. 36. A boiler in which water is heated for the purpose of supplying hot water at pressure not exceeding 160 psia (1,102 kPa) and temperature not exceeding 250 F (121 C) is a **low pressure hot water heating boiler**. 37. A power boiler having an internal shell diameter of **sixteen (16) inches (406 mm)** or less, a gross volume of **five (5) cubic feet (142 L)** or less, a heating surface of twenty (20) sq feet (1.86 m²) or less (not applicable to electric boiler), and not exceeding 100 psi (689 kPa) is a **miniature boiler**. 38. Any class of boiler defined herein and shall be a boiler equipped and shipped complete with fuel burning equipment, automatic controls and accessories, and mechanical draft equipment, if used is a **package boiler**. 39. A boiler used for heating water or liquid to a pressure exceeding 160 psi (1,103 kPa) or to a temperature exceeding 250F (121 C) is a Power Hot Water Boiler (High Temperature Water Boiler). 40. A closed container having a nominal internal diameter exceeding **six (6) inches (152.4 mm)** and a volume exceeding **11/2 cubic feet (42L)**, for liquids, gases, vapors subjected to pressures exceeding fifteen (15) psia (103 kPa), steam under any pressure is a **pressure vessel (unfired)**. 41. A boiler in which steam is generated at pressure exceeding fifteen (15) psi or 103 kPa is a **power boiler**. 42. A boiler operated at pressures not exceeding fifteen (15) psi (103 kPa) is a **steam heating boiler**. 43. A burner smaller than the main burner that is ignited by a spark or other independent and stable ignition source, and provides ignition energy required to immediately light off the main burner is a **pilot**. 44. A pilot that burns without turndown throughout the entire period that the boiler is in service, whether or not the main burner is firing is a **continuous pilot**. ### Passage Ways Around Boilers 45. Passage ways around all sides of the the boiler shall have an unobstructed width of not less than **18 inches**. ### Types of Pilots 46. A pilot that burns during light off and while the main burner is firing, and that is shut off with the main burner is an **intermittent pilot**. 47. A pilot that burns during light off and that is shut off during normal operation is an **interrupted pilot**. ### Inspection of Boilers 48. Power boilers and miniature boilers shall be inspected externally **annually**. 49. Steam heating boilers and hot water heating boilers shall be inspected externally **annually**. 50. Automatic steam heating boilers shall be inspected externally **biannually**. ### Space Requirements for Refrigeration Machinery Rooms 51. A refrigeration machinery room shall be of such dimensions that all system parts are readily accessible with adequate space for maintenance and operations. An unobstructed walking space at least **3 feet** in width shall be provided. 52. A refrigeration machinery room shall be of such dimensions that all system parts are readily accessible with adequate space for maintenance and operations. An unobstructed walking space at least **6 ft and 8 inches** in height shall be provided. ### Exhaust Distance from Mechanical Vibration Systems 53. Exhaust from mechanical vibration systems shall be discharge **20 feet** from a property, lines or opening of the building. ### Water Based Fire Protection Systems 54. The standard of water based fire protection system is **NFPA 13A (water based fire protection system), NFPA 17A (wet chemical extinguishing system), NFPA 10 (portable Fire Extinguisher) and, NFPA 12 (Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing system)**. ### Fire Alarm Systems 55. The standard of fire alarm systems is **NFPA 72 (Fire Alarm System). NFPA 12A (Halon 1301 Fire extinguishing system), NFPA 17 (Dry Chemical Extinguishing system) and, NFPA 750 (Water-Mist system)**. ### Automatic Fire Extinguishing System 56. An approved system of devices and equipment which automatically detects a fire and discharges an approved fire extinguishing agent is an **automatic fire extinguishing system**. ### Automatic Sprinkler System 57. A sprinkler system, for fire protection purposes, is an integrated system of underground and overhead piping designed according to fire protection engineering standards. The system is usually activated by heat from a fire and discharges water over the fire area is an **automatic sprinkler system**. ### Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing System 58. A system supplying carbon dioxide (C02) from pressurized vessel through fixed pipes and nozzles: This system includes manual or automatic actuating mechanism is a **carbon dioxide extinguishing system**. ### Clean Agent Extinguishing System 59. Electrically non-conducting, volatile, or gaseous fire extinguisher that does not leave residue upon evaporation is a **clean agent**. ### Deluge System 60. A sprinkler system employing open sprinklers attached to a piping system connected to a water supply through the valve that is opened by the operation of a detection system installed in the same area as the sprinklers. When this valve opens, water flows into the piping system and discharges from all sprinklers attached thereto. ### Foam Extinguishing System 61. A special system discharging of a foam made from concentrates, either mechanically or chemically, over the area to provide protection is a **foam extinguishing system**. ### Halogenated Extinguishing System 62. A fire-extinguishing system using one or more atoms of an element from the halogen chemical series: fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine is a **halogenated extinguishing system**. ### Types of Alarms 63. An alarm caused by mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation or lack of proper maintenance, or an alarm activated by a cause that cannot be determined is a **nuisance alarm**. ### Standpipe Systems 64. Standpipe system providing 2½ inch (64 mm) hose connections to supply water for use by fire departments and those trained in handling heavy fire streams is a **Class I system**. 65. Standpipe system providing 1½ inch (38 mm) hose connections to supply water for use of primarily by the building occupants or by fire department during initial response is a **Class II system**. 66. Standpipe system providing 1½ inch (38 mm) hose connections to supply water for use of primarily by the building occupants and 2½ in (65 mni) hose connection to supply larger volume of water for use by fire departments and those in handling heavy fire streams is a **Class III system**. ### Wet-Chemical Extinguishing Agent 67. A solution of water and potassium-carbonate-based chemical, potassium-acetate-based chemical or a combination thereof, fanning and extinguishing agent is **wet-chemical extinguishing agent**. ### Impairment Coordinator 68. The person responsible for the maintenance of a particular fire protection system is an **impairment coordinator**. ### Wireless Protection System 69. A system or a part of a system that can transmit and receive signals without the aid of wire is a **wireless protection system**. ### Types of Dry Standpipe Systems 70. A dry standpipe system that does not have a permanent water supply attached to the system: It requires water from a fire department pumper to be pumped into the system through the fire department connection in order to supply the system demand is a **manual dry**. 71. A wet stand pipe connected to a water supply for the purpose of maintaining water within the system but to which does not have a water supply capable of delivering the system demand attached to the system: It requires water from a fire department pumper (or that like) to be pumped into the system through the fire department connection in order to supply the system demand is a **manual wet**. ### Sprinklers 72. Sprinkler system shall have pressure zones so that sprinkler heads will not be subjected to pressure that is more than **175 psi**. ### Cellulose Nitrate 73. All structures occupied for the manufacture of storage of articles of cellulose nitrate (pyroxylin) plastic shall be equipped with approved automatic fire extinguishing sprinkler system capable of discharging **1.66 gal/min/sq.ft**. ### Dry Chemical Extinguishing System 74. Dry chemical extinguishing system shall be inspected and tested for proper operation at **6 months** interval. ### Foam Extinguishing Systems 75. Foam extinguishing system shall be provided in buildings such as **maintenance aircraft hangars**. ### Foam-Water Sprinkler System 76. Overhead foam-water sprinkler system proved closed or open foam-water sprinkler in aircraft servicing area of minimum solution rate of **0.16 gal/min/sq.ft of floor area**. ### Wet-Pipe Foam-Water Sprinkler System 77. For wet-pipe foam-water sprinkler systems, the sprinkler head quick response is at **75 deg. F**. ### Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems 78. Carbon Dioxide extinguishing systern shall be inspected and tested for proper operation at **12 months** interval. ### High Pressure Cylinders 79. High pressure cylinders shall be weighed and the date of hydrostatic test shall be verified at **6 months** interval. ### Dry Standpipe System Limitation 80. Dry standpipe (Class I or III) shall be limited to **more than 8-storey building**. ### Wet Standpipe System Limitation 81. Wet standpipe (Class I or III) shall be limited to **more than 8 storey building**. ### Underground Buildings 82. Underground buildings shall be equipped throughout with **Class I automatic wet or manual wet** stand pipe system. ### Elevators 83. Elevators are required for **five (5) storey buildings and above for multiple residential units**. ### Types of Fire Extinguishing Systems 84. A special system discharging a foam made from concentrates, either mechanically or chemically, over the area to provide protection is a **foam extinguishing system**. 85. A fire-extinguishing system using one or more atoms of an element from the halogen chemical series: fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine is a **halogenated extinguishing system**. 86. A solution of water and potassium-carbonate-based chemical, potassium-acetate-based chemical or a combination thereof, fanning and extinguishing agent is a **wet-chemical extinguishing agent**. ### Sprinkler Systems in Buildings 87. In any flexible plan building or open plan building in which the travel distance to exits exceeds **46 m**, approved and supervised sprinkler systems must be provided. 88. All buildings shall be protected throughout, by an approved, supervised sprinkler system except in buildings where all guest suites door opening directly outside at the street or grade level or exterior exit access in buildings up to and including **3 storey in height**. ### Automatic Sprinkler Systems 89. All business occupancy buildings over **15 m high** shall be provided with automatic sprinkler systems. ### Fire Extinguishers Location 90. Fire extinguishers should be installed in plain view in an accessible spot near room exits, which provides an escape route. It should be located away from fire hazards and installed at **1,500 mm** ((1.5 m)) height above the floor. ### Sprinkler System Pressure Zones 91. Sprinkler system shall have pressure zones so that sprinkler heads will not be subjected to pressure that is more than **175 psi**. ### Carbon Dioxide Systems in Occupied Areas 92. Carbon dioxide extinguishing system shall not be installed in areas normally occupied by **persons (people)**. ### Boiler Age Limit 93. The age limit of a horizontal return tubular, flue or cylinder boiler having a longitudinal lap joint and operating a pressure in excess of 0.345 MPa or 3.45 Bar gage shall be **30 years**. ### Minimum Height of Boiler Proper Above Ceiling 94. When boilers are replaced or new boilers are installed in either existing or new buildings, a minimum height of at least **2,130 mm** shall be provided between the top of the boiler proper and the ceiling. ### Minimum Height of Valve Stem Above Ceiling 95. The minimum height from any highest point of any valve stem and the ceiling for new boiler installation if it is a single installation or self contained boiler shall be **915 mm**. ### Compressor Support 96. A compressor or portion of a condensing unit supported from the ground shall rest on a concrete or other approved base extending **not less than 3 inches** (76 mm.) above the adjoining ground. ### Gravity Ventilation Openings 97. Permanent gravity ventilation openings of **not less than 2 ft²** net free area opening directly to the outside of the building or extending to the outside of the building by continuous duct shall be provided. ### Mechanical Exhaust Systems 98. A mechanical exhaust system arranged to provide a complete change of air in such a room or space of at least every **20 minutes** to discharge to the outside of the building shall be provided. ### Permanent Wall Opening for Natural Ventilation 100. Spaces provided with natural ventilation shall have a minimum permanent wall opening of **4%** of the net occupied area and shall be within 25 ft of the operable wall or roof opening to the outdoors. ### Opening Between Rooms for Naturally Ventilated Spaces 101. For naturally ventilated spaces without direct wall opening to the outdoors (interior room) except through adjoining rooms. The opening between rooms shall be permanently unobstructed and shall have free area of not less than **3%** of the net occupied area of the interior room of not less than 25 ft². ### Outdoor Air Rate 102. The outdoor air rate required for a single zone AC unit serving an interior, 2000 ft² meeting/conference room with a design occupancy of 100 people. Note: the system supplies and returns are from the ceiling is **620 ft³/min**. ### Classification of LPG 103. LPG (liquefied Petroleum Gases) are mixtures of hydrocarbons liquefied under pressure for efficient transportation, storage and use. LPG are generally composed of Ethylene, Propane, Propylene, Butane, Isobutene and Butylenes. However commercially they (LPG) are classified as mixtures of **propane and butane**. ### Kerosene Definition 104. It is defined as a petroleum distillate having a flash point not below 22.8 °C as determined by Abel tested, which is equivalent to 22.8 °C as an illuminant when burned in a wick lamp. **Kerosene** ### Explosive Mixtures of Air and Gasoline Vapors 105. Which of the following mixture of air and gasoline vapors are explosive? **1.3 % to 6.0 %** ### Types of Coals 106. It is a solid, infusible, cellular residue left after fusible bitum coals are heated in the absence of air, above temperature which active thermal composition of the coals occurs. **Coke** ### Crude Oil 107. They are frequently described as "Paraffiníc", "naphthemić" or "mixed base," according to the physical characteristics. **Crude oil** ### Railing Height 108. Standard railings shall be at least what height from the surface of the top of the rail to the floor level? **At least 1000 mm** ### Work Room Height 109. Work rooms (referring to maintenance shop and machine rooms) shall be at what height from the floor to ceiling? **At least 3000 mm** ### Maximum Number of Persons Working in a Room 110. The maximum number of persons working or will be working in an area shall not exceed **1 person** per 12 square meters. ### Foundation Mass 111. Foundation mass should be how many times the weight of machinery it is supposed to support? **3 to 5 times** 112. Foundation mass should be how many times the weight of machinery it is supposed to support if the unbalance force produced by the machine can be calculated to dampen vibration? **10 to 20 times** ### Bearing Stress with Safe Bearing Capacity of the Soil 113. The weight of the machine plus the weight of the foundation should be distributed over a sufficient soil area which is large enough to cause a bearing stress with safe bearing capacity of the soil with factor of safety equivalent to **5**. ### Isolation Distance of a Machine Foundation 114. Machine foundation should be isolated from floor slab or building footings at **25 mm** distance around its perimeter to eliminate transmission of vibration. ### Anchor Bolt Sleeve Diameter 115. Foundation bolts of specified size should be used surrounded by a pipe sleeve with an inside diameter of at least **3 times** the diameter of anchor bolt.