Confirm the IMC edition and amendments the jurisdiction enforces, then trace ventilation, exhaust, equipment, duct routes, and access through the mechanical plans, schedules, and the architectural and structural drawings. AI can flag conflicts; the mechanical engineer confirms calculations and compliance.
What does the IMC cover?
ICC describes the International Mechanical Code as establishing minimum requirements for mechanical systems using prescriptive and performance-related provisions.
ICC publishes the I-Codes as model codes in editions. ICC’s 2024 I-Codes collection includes the IMC, and the ICC IMC overview describes how it is adopted; both were checked on October 1, 2026. States and cities adopt a specific edition, often with amendments, and many still enforce an earlier one. Record the edition and amendments the authority having jurisdiction actually enforces; the newest published edition does not establish local adoption.
Some jurisdictions adopt the Uniform Mechanical Code instead, and energy requirements come from a separate energy code. Fuel gas piping is commonly covered by a fuel gas code. Record which mechanical code the authority enforces.
Bring the mechanical set and the building around it
Collect mechanical plans, equipment schedules, ventilation schedules or calculations summaries, exhaust plans, duct and damper details, controls sequences, architectural plans with room uses and ceilings, rated wall and floor plans, roof plans, and structural framing where equipment is supported. Add the mechanical specifications.
Room uses drive ventilation and exhaust. Check that the mechanical schedules use the same room names and uses as the current architectural plans.
Trace ventilation, exhaust, and equipment
| Review question | Sources to compare | Decision to record |
|---|---|---|
| Room uses | Architectural plans, ventilation schedule | Identify rooms whose use changed after the ventilation design. |
| Exhaust | Exhaust plans, fan schedule, toilet and kitchen layouts | Match exhaust fans and terminals to the rooms that need them. |
| Outdoor air and intakes | Roof plan, elevations, louver schedule, exhaust outlets | Check intake and exhaust locations shown on different sheets. |
| Rated penetrations | Duct routes, rated wall plan, damper schedule | Locate ducts crossing rated construction without a damper reference. |
| Equipment access and support | Equipment plans, sections, structural framing | Confirm equipment locations, service access, and support details agree. |
| Controls | Sequences, equipment schedules, controls drawings | Reconcile modes and interlocks described in different documents. |
Use the mechanical drawing checklist as the working log. Fire and smoke interfaces follow the NFPA 90A and NFPA 92 guides.
Example: a storage room becomes a janitor closet
Hypothetical example. The architectural plan converts a storage room into a janitor closet with a mop sink, while the mechanical exhaust plan and fan schedule still show the room without exhaust.
The current architectural plan shows this room as a janitor closet, while the mechanical plans show no exhaust for it. Please confirm the room use and the intended exhaust, and coordinate the mechanical documents.
The mechanical engineer confirms the requirement and updates the exhaust plan and schedule. The conflict is a coordination question for the engineer.
Review mechanical code coordination with Groundbook
Upload the current drawings and specifications to Groundbook, and state the code edition, amendments, and review scope in your instructions. Add the applicable IMC from a copy you are licensed to use, where the license permits uploading it, and add the jurisdiction’s published amendments. See how Groundbook works with local and licensed codes.
Compare the mechanical plans, ventilation and exhaust schedules, and equipment schedules with current architectural room uses, ceilings, rated walls, roof plan, and structural support. Flag rooms, ducts, and equipment that disagree. Use the supplied IMC edition and amendments where applicable and cite both sources.
Groundbook links each potential finding to the plan and schedule involved. Verify the room and revision before sending a question to the mechanical engineer.
Document review does not perform ventilation, load, or duct sizing calculations or approve a mechanical design. Those remain with the mechanical engineer and the authority having jurisdiction.