Report STZoZI - O(8)11
%
16584 JJ.Mv i(l 1.490P TM
rheia
Dec 22, 2021
Plan Review
City of Tigard,Oregon
13125 SW Hall Blvd.
Tigard,OR 97223
Re:Alternative Material and Method for Taylor Morrison Homes, River Terrace Lot 205
Dear Plans Reviewer,
The Rheia supply air distribution system will be installed in a pilot home for the builder,community and
lot listed in the subject of this letter.This will be specified as an alternative material and method.
The Rheia supply air distribution system delivers air throughout the home via many 3"and 4"'home
runs'connected to a central manifold.Each home run comprises a flexible duct with plastic connector
components,all certified to UL standards,as required in 2021 Oregon Residential Specialty Code
(ORSC) M1601.1.1.Compared to conventional ductwork installations,a Rheia system will deliver the
same amount of air at the same static pressure.
Rheia's small diameter ducts are easier to design to remain within a home's building thermal envelope
versus conventional ductwork.This makes it easier for builders to meet 2021 ORSC N1105.3,Oregon's
new requirement to get all new ductwork in the home's conditioned space.All Rheia home runs are
uninsulated,which is allowed by ORSC N1105.2 since they are not exposed to unconditioned spaces.
Rheia will not change the heating and cooling equipment specified for the home.Rheia operates with
any equipment manufacturers'air handling equipment.The return air,ventilation, and exhaust
components also do not change.Only the supply air ducts and registers will be substituted by Rheia
components and ducts.
Every Rheia system is specifically designed and commissioned for each home to ensure optimum
performance.It delivers air proportionally to each room as needed while operating within the
requirements of the air handling equipment.
The Rheia Design process uses Manual J to determine how much air is required to each room.
Mechanical designers use the Rheia Design process to design a system that will deliver the required
amount of air without exceeding the static pressure limits of the heating and cooling equipment.5-
position balancing dampers built into each Rheia supply boot are used to ensure the correct amount
of air is being delivered.Damper setting positions are estimated during the design process and fine-
tuned in the field during the commissioning process using the Rheia Verify app.
NO..
Rheia Verify is an innovative airflow balancing process developed specifically for the Rheia air
distribution system.It is a web based mobile phone app which technicians use to calculate damper
positions at each supply boot.Airflow measurements are taken at each supply diffuser and input into
Rheia Verify which compares them to the Manual J room-by-room airflow requirements.The app then
instructs the technician on how to adjust the dampers to achieve a balanced air delivery.This process
ensures each room receives airflow per the design intent.
Attached to this letter is supporting reference material indicating how Rheia meets all code
requirements.Please review the documentation and reply with confirmation of approval of the Rheia
system for this pilot home,additional information can also be found at
https://www.rheiacomfort.com/resources/code-documentation.If there are any outstanding
questions, please direct your reply to Nathan Good at ngoodPrheiacomfort.com or 602-448-5870.
Sincerely,
Nathan Good,
Sr.Engineer
rheia UL Standards Compliance
07-14-2021
Components Compliance
Rheia components meet rigorous industry standards.RHEIA engaged with UL to certify Rheia
components under a new standard tailored to RHEIA's unique product line.UL developed a new
standard, UL181C,to certify the Rheia components designated as'fittings', (defined by UL as
Rheia's Ferrule,Coupler and Elbow Extension).In May 2020, RHEIA received UL 181C certification)of
the fittings individually and as an assembly2;the only system on the market with this designation.
This standard requires that the fittings assembly passes the following tests:
Test Description Status
Impact Test Evaluates the resistance to the impact of 15 lb.sand bag without a 20 percent Pass
reduction in cross-sectional area.
Evaluates the resistance to a force of a 25 lb.weight on an air duct and fitting when
Tension Test installed in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions.A 25 lb.Test Pass
duration of 24 hours.The start and end height difference from the floor is measured.
Evaluates the resistance to torsion forces on an air duct and fittingwhen installed in
Torsion Test accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions.A torque of 25 ft-lb.,or Pass
sufficient torque to rotate the sample 180-deg,whichever occurs first.
Evaluates the resistance to positive pressure on an air duct and fitting when installed
Pressure Test Pass
in accordance with the accompanying installation instructions.
Leakage Test Evaluates the resistance to leakage on an air duct and fitting when installed in Pass
accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions.
A puncture test is conducted on the assembly.The samples shall prevent the
Puncture Test complete penetration through the wall of the sample of the plunger head falling Pass
through a distance of 20 inches.
Mold Growth and Evaluates the components'resistance to material degradation due to exposure to
Humidity Test mold and high humidity.Evaluates the materials ability to limit the growth of mold. Pass
There must be no visible growth after 60 days.
Evaluates the components'resistance to material degradation due to exposure at
High and Low high and low temperatures.Visual observation for deformation and deterioration. Pass
Temperature Test exposed to air maintained at not less than 125 deg.F on the exterior and not less
than 265 deg.F on the interior and maintained for a period of 60 days.
Smoke and Heat UL 2043 Fourth Edition,"Standard for Fire Test for Heat and
Release Test Visible Smoke Release for Discrete Products and Their Pass Accessories Installed in Pass
Air-Handling Spaces"
1 File no.MH64419
2 Fittings assembly comprises:Two ferrules,one Coupler,two elbow extensions
RHEIA LLC 2021 This document contains privileged,confidential and proprietary information and is otherwise protected from disclosure.
The receiving party shall not use or distribute this document to any party outside of its organization without expressed written consent of RHEIA.
• rheia UL Standards Compliance
Referenced in the International Mechanical Code, NFPA 90B'Standard for the Installation of Warm
Air Heating and Air-Conditioning Systems'defines'fittings'as parts connecting the registers to the
duct system and requires them to be either, metal, materials that comply with the requirements of
Class 0 or Class 1 ducts in UL181, or materials that comply with the requirements of UL 2043.
Although UL 2043 was included as part of UL181C, Rheia took a cautious approach and in December
2019 independently certified the fittings assembly to standard UL 20433.UL 2043 certification was
also obtained for a 4" Ferrule fitting in April 2021.
UL 2043 specifically tests the smoke and heat release of a discrete product (one that does not
provide a continuous connection between rooms).Since UL 2043 is a critical test that addresses
safety concerns of a discrete component located in an air plenum, RHEIA decided to independently
pursue UL 2043 certification of the fittings prior to installation into any pilot homes, and received
the certification through the independent testing lab, Intertek.
The following table describes the material choices for each group of components based on their
performance requirements.
Components Material and Process
Injection Molded PC/ABS V-0 flammability rating certified to UL 181C and UL
Elbow,Ferrule,Coupler 2043
Register Boots and Dampers Injection Molded PC/ABS V-0 flammability rating
Manifold Takeoffs Injection Molded PC/ABS V-0 flammability rating
Wall and Ceiling Diffusers Injection Molded UV stable ABS
Duct Compliance
The specified uninsulated duct is either 3" or 4" diameter ST-L product manufactured by
Thermaflex in Abbeville,SC.The duct is a non-insulated UL181 certified, Class 1 flexible air duct
constructed from a fiberglass cloth fabric bonded to a corrosion resistant spring steel wire helix.
ULs 181 requirements apply to materials for the fabrication of air duct and air connector systems for
use in accordance with the International Mechanical Code (IMC), International Residential Code
(IRC),and Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC), Standards of the National Fire Protection Association
for the Installation of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems, NFPA 90A,and the Installation of
Warm Air Heating and Air-Conditioning Systems, NFPA 90B.
The duct is also Greenguard certified per UL standard 2818-2013'Gold Standard for chemical
Emissions for Building Materials, Finishes and Furnishing'.
3 Certification obtained through Intertek.Report no.104174141SAT-002
O RHEIA LLC 2021.This document contains privileged.confidential and proprietary information and is otherwise protected from disclosure.
The receiving party shall not use or distribute this document to any party outside of its organization without expressed written consent of RHEIA.
rhea Building Code References .
Rheia System Overview
Rheia is an innovative supply air duct system designed to be compatible with residential grade air handling equipment.It works with any equipment
manufacturer's gas furnace,electric furnace,or heat pump air handler.Rheia is not a high static or high velocity system.
What is Rheia?
The Rheia air distribution system uses many 3°or 4" 'home runs'from a central manifold to deliver air throughout the home.Each home run
comprises flexible ducts with plastic connector components,all certified to standard UL181. Compared to a conventional duct system,a Rheia
system will deliver the same amount of air to each room at the same static pressure.Rheia uses multiple smaller ducts to each room rather than one
or two larger ducts. For example,three 3"ducts can deliver the same amount of air as one 6"or 7"duct.Home runs also have the advantage of not
using wye branches.Wye branches and tee fittings add significant static pressure to the duct system.
How does Rheia affect the equipment?
Rheia will not change the heating and cooling equipment installed in the home.Manual J heat load calculations will still be performed,and Manual S
equipment selections will still be used.
How does Rheia work in different climates?
Rheia systems are approved for all climate types.In cold climates,the heating equipment is responsible for maintaining minimum temperatures.In
hot climates,the cooling equipment is responsible for maintaining maximum temperatures.In humid climates,the cooling and optional
dehumidifying equipment is responsible for humidity control.Properly sized equipment is the key for temperature and humidity control.The duct
system is responsible for distributing the air throughout the home proportionally to the heat load.Rheia does this through the design and
commissioning processes.
How is Rheia designed?
The Rheia Design process uses the Manual J to determine how much air is required to each room.Mechanical designers use the Rheia Design
process to design a system that will deliver adequate air to each room without exceeding the static pressure limits of the heating and cooling
equipment.5-position balancing dampers built into each Rheia supply boot are used to ensure the correct amount of air is being delivered to each
room.Those damper positions are estimated during the design process,and fine tuned during the commissioning process called Rheia Verify.
How is a Rheia installation balanced?
Rheia Verify is an innovative airflow balancing process developed specifically for the Rheia air distribution system.It is a web based mobile phone
app.Technicians use a flow hood to measure airflows at each supply diffuser and input those measurements into Rheia Verify.Rheia Verify
compares those measurements to the Manual J room by room airflows and instructs the technician on how to adjust the balancing dampers.This
process ensures each room receives airflow per the design intent.
.,HEIA PLC 202'This s document contains privileged confidential and proprietary 'c,i hatter and C.tileP.AiiSe pro i r,reo dctii disclosure.
The receiving party small not use or.i stribu.e this document to any party outside a r e ation wit c t te=dies.,s,t mitten D., RHEIA
rheia Building Code References
Code Compliance Topic Code Section Code States Comments
The Rheia supply air distribution systems uses the S-TLflexible
2021 IRC M1601.1.1 "Above-gound duct systems shall air duct manufactured by Thermaflex.This is a Class 1 air duct
UL listed duct 2018 IRC M1601.1.1 be listed and labeled in accordance certified by UL Standard 181.
2015 IRC M1601.1.1 with UL181." https://thermaflexsite.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/
2019/04/S-TL-Product-Sheet.pdf
2021 IMC 603.6.1.1 The code defines Flexible Air Ducts and Flexible Air Connectors
Maximum flexible duct 2018 IMC 603.6.1.1 "Flexible air ducts shall not be differently.Flexible Air Connectors have a limit in length while
length 2015 IMC 603.6.1.1 limited in length." Flexible Air Ducts do not.Thermaflex S-TL is classified as a
2012 IMC 603.6.1.1 Flexible Air Duct,and therefore does not have any limit in length.
2021 IRC M1601.1.1 "Fibrous glass duct construction
2018 IRC M1601.1.1 shall conform to SMACNA Fibrous The Rheia Manifold is fabricated by the installing contractor out
Manfiold Glass Duct Construction Standards of 1"duct board.The contractors will follow these standards
2015 IRC M1601.1.1 or NAIMA Fibrous Glass Duct when fabricating the manifolds.
2012 IRC M1061.1.1 Construction Standards."
2021 IMC 603.6.1-603.6.2 "Flexible Air Connectors shall not The code defines Flexible Air Ducts and Flexible Air Connectors
Can Rheia's flexible air duct 2018 IMC 603.6.1 603.6.2 pass through any wall,floor or differently.Flexible Air Connectors have a restriction on passing
penetrate through a wall, through walls,floors and ceilings while Flexible Air Ducts do not.
floor,or ceiling assembly? 2015 IMC 603.6.1 603.6.2 ceiling."Flexible Air Ducts have no Thermaflex S-TL is classified as a Flexible Air Duct,and therefore
2012 IMC 603.6.1 603.6.2 such restriction. can pass through walls,floors or ceilings.
2021 IRC N1103.3 Ducts shall be insulated to minimum Rheia systems are designed to remain completely inside the
Use of uninsulated ducts in 2018 IRC N1103.3.1 R-8."Exception:Duct or portions building thermal envelope,and therefore are not required to
conditioned space 2015 IRC N1103.3.1 thereof located completely inside have insulation by code.Any duct,Rheia or otherwise,outside
2012 IRC N1103.2.1 the building thermal envelope." the building thermal envelope will be insulated to R-8.
"Duct systems serving heating, The Rheia duct design process differs from a Manual D design
cooling and ventilation equipment but uses all the same principles and calculation methodology.
2021 IRC M1601.1 shall be installed in accordance with Similar to Manual D,a Rheia duct design uses friction rates,duct
2018 IRC M1601.1 the provisions of this section and lengths,fitting losses,and static pressure calculations to
Duct design process
2015 IRC M1601.1 ACCA Manual D,the appliance determine the overall static pressure of the duct system.
2012 IRC M1601.1 manufacturer's installation Manual D uses this information to calculate duct sizes,while
instructions or other approved Rheia uses this information to calculate the number of 3"and 4"
methods." Rheia ducts required for each room.
PHOP LLC 2021.This document contains privileged.confidential and gropr.etan ..• ...
`:,,e mrc __ing party snail nor use or distribute this document to any parry outs de of
4.
rhea Building Code References
Ducts shall be pressure tested to
determine air leakage at rough in or Rheia systems are designed to remain completely inside the
post construction. building thermal envelope,and therefore are not required to be
2018 IRC N1103.3.3 pressure tested for leakage.Duct leakage tests can still be
Duct leakage 2015 IRC N1103.3.3 Exception:A duct air leakage test performed on Rheia systems by taping off the supply registers
shall not be required where the just like a conventional system.All leakage tests to date have
2012 IRC N1103.2.2 y g
ducts and air handlers are located met code and Energy Star requirements without the use of tape
entirely within the building thermal or mastic.
envelope.
Homes built under the 2021 IRC will require duct leakage testing
Ducts shall be pressure tested to even with all ductwork in conditioned space.Duct leakage tests
Duct leakage 2021 IRC N1103.3.5 determine air leakage at rough-in or can be performed on Rheia systems by taping off the supply
postconstruction. registers just like a conventional system.All leakage tests to
date have met code and Energy Star requirements without the
use of tape or mastic.
2021 IRC M16.1.4.4 Non metalic and factory made ducts Rheia ducts are required to be supported the same as
2018 IRC M1601.4.4 listed in accordance with UL 181 shall conventional flex ducts.Strapping can be used to support Rheia
Duct support-strapping be supported in accordance with ducts,and several Rheia ducts can be supported with a single
2015 IRC M1601.4.4 the manufacturer's installation strap.Local jursidictions often provide requirements on
20121RC M1601.4.3 instructions maximum distance between supports.
Fire blocking shall be provided at
2021 IRC R302.11 openings around ducts at the
2018 IRC R302.11 ceiling and floor level with an Rheia ducts and the Rheia manifold are required to be fire
Fire caulking 2015 IRC R302.11 approved material to resist the free caulked at penetrations of a ceiling or floor just like conventional
of flame and products of ductwork.
2012 IRC R302.11 passage
combustion.
Minimum distance required from the
2021 IRC Table P2904.2.2 side of a ceiling or wall warm air
2018 IRC Table P2904.2.2 register to a sprinkler shall be 12': Rheia duct designs will take into consideration the fire sprinkler
Distance from fire sprinkler layout and not locate supply air registers inside the miminum
2015IRC Table P2904.2.2 Minimum distance required in front
of a wall warm air register to a distance required per this code section.
2012 IRC Table P2904.2.2 9
sprinkler shall be 18':
v;,} 1‘L.,c 232:.This docun,ert contains privileged.confidential and proprietary information and is otherwise protected from disclosure.
The receiving party-snail not use o,distribute this document to any party outside.e of its organization without expressed written consent of R