VRF mechanical code conflict

[ralph feria]

Come Jan 1, 2015 it will be very difficult/impossible to install VRF equipment in New York City due to a change in the Mechanical code. No refrigerant lines can pass through a space that can be occupied, connected to a system with more than 10 pounds of refrigerant. This is due to their interpretation of Ashrae 15 safety guidelines. Is anyone out there seeing something like this ?

[jonjon]

Water chillers it is then !

[frank]

Hi Ralph

Can't say I'm familiar with Ashrae 15, as we work to different standards over here - BS EN 378.
Do you have a link to the code so we can have a look and comment?

[Brian_UK]

I think that you may be misinterpreting the standard.

It seems that you are now limited to 10lbs/1000sq.ft. so you need to calculate your total charge and see if it can leak into the smallest area that the leak may occur in.

Info gleaned from here..

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&ei=Hd9bVKa5DubV7gbAqYGYCw&url=http://www.trane.com/content/dam/Trane/Commercial/global/products-systems/education-training/engineers-newsletters/standards-codes/admapn027en_0308.pdf&ved=0CCMQFjAC&usg=AFQjCNEFN4MKkdsSLvNAuQzx3JdnuRjp4w&sig2=yQLWAso7U8NMkyS15YvVbA

[ralph feria]

Hi Ralph

Can't say I'm familiar with Ashrae 15, as we work to different standards over here - BS EN 378.
Do you have a link to the code so we can have a look and comment?

I don't have a link but I do have a copy. Can I send to you and you post ?

[ralph feria]

I have seen this trane publication. From what I understand Ashrae 15 does not take into o account the refrigerant is heavier than air. I would like to send you what I have but don't know where to send it to or where to post it.