International Code Council
IMC (mechanical code)
The mechanical code governs how HVAC work is installed: duct construction and support, combustion air, ventilation rates, condensate handling and the clearances a service technician will need later.
Adoption varies by jurisdiction. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction enforces before you run a walk against it.
Run it with the Photo Gate
HVAC rough-in inspection checklist
15 items · 18 photos required
What it covers
- Duct construction, sealing and support
- Combustion air and flue arrangement
- Ventilation and exhaust requirements
- Condensate drainage and equipment access
What the evidence looks like
- Duct sealing photographed before insulation covers the joint.
- Equipment clearance measured in frame, ahead of the walls closing in.
- Condensate trap and termination shot, including the primary and secondary path.
Checklists that verify work against IMC (mechanical code)
47 free checklists, each with the photo every item needs before it can be submitted.
HVAC Rough-inHVAC rough-in inspection checklistDuctwork, refrigerant lines, condensate and equipment setting before the walls and ceilings close15 items18 photosHVAC Pre-coverHVAC pre-cover inspection checklistThe above-ceiling walk before the grid and drywall close on ductwork and lines14 items18 photosHVAC FinalHVAC final inspection checklistGrilles, registers, balancing and controls verified before startup and turnover14 items14 photosExhaust fan QuarterlyExhaust fan quarterly maintenance checklistBelts, bearings, shutters and hoods checked on the quarterly round14 items10 photosExhaust fan AnnualExhaust fan annual maintenance checklistDeep clean, fastener torque and airflow spot-check on the annual service15 items14 photosVAV terminal unit QuarterlyVAV terminal unit quarterly maintenance checklistDamper travel, inlet filter and reheat operation checked above the ceiling each quarter14 items11 photos
VAV terminal unit AnnualVAV terminal unit annual maintenance checklistAirflow calibration, reheat coil and valve service and sound check on the annual pass15 items11 photosFan coil unit QuarterlyFan coil unit quarterly maintenance checklistFilter, condensate drain and blower checked in the space on the quarterly round15 items13 photosFan coil unit AnnualFan coil unit annual maintenance checklistCoil and pan pulled and cleaned, valves serviced and controls verified on the annual15 items14 photosDuctless mini-split QuarterlyDuctless mini-split quarterly maintenance checklistIndoor filters, condensate, line-set insulation and a heat-and-cool mode test on the quarterly round14 items9 photosDuctless mini-split AnnualDuctless mini-split annual maintenance checklistBlower-wheel and coil cleaning, drain flush and a charge check on the annual service14 items11 photosEnergy recovery ventilator (ERV) QuarterlyEnergy recovery ventilator (ERV) quarterly maintenance checklistFilters on both airstreams, core condition, dampers and drains checked on the quarterly round15 items13 photosEnergy recovery ventilator (ERV) AnnualEnergy recovery ventilator (ERV) annual maintenance checklistCore cleaning and seal inspection, damper and economizer test, and an airflow balance check on the annual service15 items13 photosMakeup air unit (MAU) QuarterlyMakeup air unit (MAU) quarterly maintenance checklistFilters, drive belt, damper travel and the exhaust interlock checked on the makeup air unit14 items10 photosMakeup air unit (MAU) AnnualMakeup air unit (MAU) annual maintenance checklistHeat section, measured supply airflow against exhaust, bearings and the full control sequence on the annual service15 items11 photosUnit heater QuarterlyUnit heater quarterly maintenance checklistFan operation, heat output, mounting and storage clearances checked on the unit heater15 items16 photosUnit heater AnnualUnit heater annual maintenance checklistHeat exchanger or coil, venting, motor bearings and the safety limits serviced on the annual pass15 items10 photosSteam humidifier QuarterlySteam humidifier quarterly maintenance checklistCylinder wear, dispersion tube, fill/drain and the airflow proving caught on the quarterly round14 items13 photosSteam humidifier AnnualSteam humidifier annual maintenance checklistFull descale, water-management rebuild, dispersion pull and a functional safety test on the annual service15 items16 photosDehumidifier QuarterlyDehumidifier quarterly maintenance checklistFilters, coil cleanliness, the condensate path and setpoint caught on the quarterly round15 items12 photosDehumidifier AnnualDehumidifier annual maintenance checklistCoil cleaning, condensate service, the refrigerant or desiccant check and a calibrated airflow pass on the annual service15 items12 photosWater-source heat pump QuarterlyWater-source heat pump quarterly maintenance checklistFilter, condensate, blower and the water-side connections checked on the quarterly round13 items13 photosWater-source heat pump AnnualWater-source heat pump annual maintenance checklistCoil and pan cleaned, strainer and hose kit serviced, and reversing valve and water flow proven on the annual15 items12 photosVRF system QuarterlyVRF system quarterly maintenance checklistOutdoor unit, branch controllers and indoor heads walked with a controls and network check on the quarterly round15 items10 photosVRF system AnnualVRF system annual maintenance checklistCoils deep-cleaned, branch-controller condensate serviced, line insulation inspected and leak detection tested on the annual15 items10 photosMotorized control damper QuarterlyMotorized control damper quarterly maintenance checklistStroke, position feedback and blade seals checked on outside-air, economizer and VAV dampers15 items12 photosMotorized control damper AnnualMotorized control damper annual maintenance checklistDeep pass with measured leakage at close, feedback recalibration against measured position and linkage service15 items10 photosAir-source heat pump QuarterlyAir-source heat pump quarterly maintenance checklistCoils, filters, condensate and the heating-to-cooling changeover checked on the quarterly round13 items12 photosAir-source heat pump AnnualAir-source heat pump annual maintenance checklistDeep coil clean, charge check by superheat and subcooling, and a backup-heat lockout test13 items8 photosAir and dirt separator QuarterlyAir and dirt separator quarterly maintenance checklistAutomatic air vent, blowdown discharge, system pressure and any weeping observed at the air and dirt separator each quarter14 items10 photosAir and dirt separator AnnualAir and dirt separator annual maintenance checklistCoalescing element cleaned or replaced, air vent serviced and system pressure and expansion confirmed on the annual service14 items6 photosSmoke control fan QuarterlySmoke control fan quarterly maintenance checklistFan condition, damper linkage and standby power confirmed on the quarterly life-safety round15 items11 photosSmoke control fan AnnualSmoke control fan annual maintenance checklistDeep condition inspection supporting the tech's annual dedicated smoke-control test14 items14 photosGas detection system QuarterlyGas detection system quarterly maintenance checklistSensor condition, fault status and interlock response checked on the quarterly round15 items13 photosGas detection system AnnualGas detection system annual maintenance checklistFull sensor inventory, interlock verification and support for the tech's annual calibration14 items11 photosEvaporative cooler QuarterlyEvaporative cooler quarterly maintenance checklistMedia, water distribution, sump and bleed checked on the quarterly cooling-season round14 items11 photosEvaporative cooler AnnualEvaporative cooler annual maintenance checklistMedia replacement, sump descale and pump service at the start-up or shutdown service15 items10 photosInfrared radiant heater QuarterlyInfrared radiant heater quarterly maintenance checklistBurner ignition, tube and reflector condition and clearances checked on the quarterly round13 items10 photosInfrared radiant heater AnnualInfrared radiant heater annual maintenance checklistCombustion tune, heat-exchanger and vent inspection and clearance verification once a year14 items10 photosActive chilled beam QuarterlyActive chilled beam quarterly maintenance checklistCoil, nozzles, primary air and condensation risk checked on the quarterly round15 items12 photosActive chilled beam AnnualActive chilled beam annual maintenance checklistDeep coil clean, valve and actuator service and dewpoint-control verification once a year15 items11 photosRadiant heating manifold QuarterlyRadiant heating manifold quarterly maintenance checklistPressure, loop balance, actuators and air venting checked on the quarterly round15 items14 photosRadiant heating manifold AnnualRadiant heating manifold annual maintenance checklistLoop purge, actuator and pump exercise, and a full manifold rebalance on annual service15 items12 photosElectric duct heater QuarterlyElectric duct heater quarterly maintenance checklistElements, airflow proving, high-limit cutouts and terminations checked on the quarterly round15 items16 photosElectric duct heater AnnualElectric duct heater annual maintenance checklistElement and contactor service and a full interlock and cutout verification on annual service15 items15 photosThermal energy storage tank QuarterlyThermal energy storage tank quarterly maintenance checklistInsulation, level, temperature and charge/discharge behavior checked on the quarterly round13 items8 photosThermal energy storage tank AnnualThermal energy storage tank annual maintenance checklistInsulation and vapor seal, water quality and a full charge/discharge cycle verified on annual service15 items9 photos
Common questions
5 answers
- What is IMC (mechanical code)?
- Mechanical installation: ductwork, combustion air, ventilation, condensate. It is published by the International Code Council. The mechanical code governs how HVAC work is installed: duct construction and support, combustion air, ventilation rates, condensate handling and the clearances a service technician will need later.
- What does IMC (mechanical code) cover?
- Duct construction, sealing and support; Combustion air and flue arrangement; Ventilation and exhaust requirements; Condensate drainage and equipment access.
- What does a field inspection against IMC (mechanical code) look at?
- Duct sealing photographed before insulation covers the joint. Equipment clearance measured in frame, ahead of the walls closing in. Condensate trap and termination shot, including the primary and secondary path.
- Which edition of IMC (mechanical code) applies to my project?
- Adoption varies by jurisdiction. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction enforces before you run a walk against it.
- Which checklists verify work against IMC (mechanical code)?
- 47 free checklists in the RTI library reference this family. Each is listed on this page with the photo evidence every item needs before it can be submitted.
Related standards
A standard is only met if the evidence exists
RTI holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and the photos are attached, then chains the record so it can be proven untouched later.
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