Unit Size - InspectionNews

Kendall Goad · #1 (**permalink**) 04-29-2008, 09:40 PM

Ok, this is the one thing that gets me almost everytime.

Can anyone help in figuring the capacity, BTU's of this unit installed less than a year ago?

American Standard
Model# 4TCC3048A1000AA
SER# 7185YCP9H

Thanks again

Billy Stephens · #2 (**permalink**) 04-29-2008, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kendall Goad

Ok, this is the one thing that gets me almost everytime.

Can anyone help in figuring the capacity, BTU's of this unit installed less than a year ago?

American Standard
Model# 4TCC3048A1000AA
SER# 7185YCP9H

Thanks again

Kendal,

I found a Model # 4Y & 4W on American standard all in one's but no 4T came up in my query.

My guess would be a 4 Ton 100,000 BTU. based on the 48 and 1000AA .

Jerry Peck · #3 (**permalink**) 04-30-2008, 07:10 AM

Kendall,

Don't forget this:

From the 2006 IRC. (underlining is mine)

- SECTION M1305
- - APPLIANCE ACCESS

- - - M1305.1 Appliance access for inspection service, repair and replacement.

Appliances shall be accessible for inspection, service, repair and replacement without removing permanent construction, other appliances, or any other piping or ducts not connected to the appliance being inspected, serviced, repaired or replaced. A level working space at least 30 inches deep and 30 inches wide (762 mm by 762 mm) shall be provided in front of the control side to service an appliance. Installation of room heaters shall be permitted with at least an 18-inch (457 mm) working space. A platform shall not be required for room heaters.

In a recent ICC publication, they addressed this very issue and included a drawing showing that level working space on the roof (a platform), and, because that level working space (platform) is more than 30" above ground or floor below, they included the required guardrail around that platform to help keep the worker from falling off.

You end up with a pretty massive structure up there, and one would also need to have a structural engineer verify that the roof framing can support *not only the unit* (as in your photo), but also the working platform with guard railing.

This is from the IMC and is a good description of it even for flat roofs:

[b]- 304.10 Guards. Guards shall be provided where appliances, equipment, fans or other components that require service and roof hatch openings are located within 10 feet (3048 mm) of a roof edge or open side of a walking surface and such edge or open side is located more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the floor, roof or grade below. The guard shall extend not less than 30 inches (762 mm) beyond each end of such appliances, equipment, fans, components and roof hatch openings and the top of the guard shall be located not less than 42 inches (1067 mm) above the elevated surface adjacent to the guard. The guard shall be constructed so as to prevent the passage of a 21-inch-diameter (533 mm) sphere and shall comply with the loading requirements for guards specified in the International Building Code.

Scott Patterson · #4 (**permalink**) 04-30-2008, 08:16 AM

I'm willing to bet that the unit in the picture that Kendall posted took the place of an old swamp cooler and that they just stuck it up in the same old place.

Seeing a package unit on top of a home like that really does make one wonder why in the world they did it that way. No reason whatsoever, other than the hole already punched in the roof.

I wonder how much that thing weighs?

Jerry Peck · #5 (**permalink**) 04-30-2008, 09:00 AM

Scott,

You can also see the same thing on the roof of the house in the distance where the pickup truck is parked.

Not saying it was not a swamp cooler, just that it appears to have been more than just that house.

Did they use swamp coolers in NM?

Kendall Goad · #6 (**permalink**) 04-30-2008, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Patterson

I'm willing to bet that the unit in the picture that Kendall posted took the place of an old swamp cooler and that they just stuck it up in the same old place.

Seeing a package unit on top of a home like that really does make one wonder why in the world they did it that way. No reason whatsoever, other than the hole already punched in the roof.

I wonder how much that thing weighs?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

Scott,

You can also see the same thing on the roof of the house in the distance where the pickup truck is parked.

Not saying it was not a swamp cooler, just that it appears to have been more than just that house.

Did they use swamp coolers in NM?

Yes Jerry we use swamp coolers in NM.

As a matter of fact most of the older homes still have them, but they are changing everyday because they just don't do as well when in this part of NM the daily summer temps average over 100 degrees. Luckily with low humidity.

These roof top Units are very common around here and most of them that do replace swamp coolers are installed in a different location of the roof.

As for having a level working space, I haven't seen one unit here that has it.

Jim Luttrall · #7 (**permalink**) 04-30-2008, 01:07 PM

Note that Jerry's reference is from the 2006 IRC and the platform and guard rail are not mentioned in the 2003.

Rick Cantrell · #8 (**permalink**) 04-30-2008, 02:36 PM

I spoke to man that said he had 3 A/C units stolen from his rental houses. Said he is now putting all his A/C units on the roof.
He said one of the houses was even rented at the time.

I am in no way implying that doing so will not violate any codes, or that it will comply with the manufactures installation instructions. I am only stating that it is sometimes done, and a possible reason as to why the buyer would request it to be installed on the roof.

Jerry Peck · #9 (**permalink**) 04-30-2008, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Luttrall

Note that Jerry's reference is from the 2006 IRC and the platform and guard rail are not mentioned in the 2003.

Jim,

From the 2003 IRC. (underlining is mine)

- SECTION M1305
- - APPLIANCE ACCESS
- - - M1305.1 Appliance access for inspection service, repair and replacement. Appliances shall be accessible for inspection, service, repair and replacement without removing permanent construction. Thirty inches (762 mm) of working space shall be provided in front of the control side to service an appliance. Room heaters shall be permitted to be installed with at least an 18-inch (457 mm) working space. A platform shall not be required for room heaters.

Compare that to the 2006 IRC reference.
From the 2006 IRC. (underlining is mine)
- SECTION M1305
- - APPLIANCE ACCESS
- - - M1305.1 Appliance access for inspection service, repair and replacement. Appliances shall be accessible for inspection, service, repair and replacement without removing permanent construction, other appliances, or any other piping or ducts not connected to the appliance being inspected, serviced, repaired or replaced. A level working space at least 30 inches deep and 30 inches wide (762 mm by 762 mm) shall be provided in front of the control side to service an appliance. Installation of room heaters shall be permitted with at least an 18-inch (457 mm) working space. A platform shall not be required for room heaters.

2003 - "Thirty inches (762 mm) of working space shall be provided in front of the control side to service an appliance."

2006 - "A level working space at least 30 inches deep and 30 inches wide (762 mm by 762 mm) shall be provided in front of the control side to service an appliance."

Okay, so they added the word "level" and explained the size better (30"x30" instead of just 30") ...

But ... it was IN THERE.