Engineering Standard

SAES-K-100 5 May 2016

Saudi Aramco Mechanical (HVAC) Code
Document Responsibility: HVAC Standards Committee

Contents
1 Adoption.......................................................... 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations................................. 2
3 References......................................................2
4 General Requirements.................................... 3
5 Summary of Modifications...............................4
6 Modifications to Uniform
Mechanical Code (UMC)......................... 6

Previous Issue: 20 October 2012 Next Planned Update: 5 May 2019

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Contact: Hamid, Adel Sulaiman (hamias0a) on +966-13-8809593

Copyright©Saudi Aramco 2016. All rights reserved.

Document Responsibility: HVAC Standards Committee SAES-K-100
Issue Date: 5 May 2016
Next Planned Update: 5 May 2019 Saudi Aramco Mechanical (HVAC) Code

1 Adoption

The Uniform Mechanical Code in its entirety, published by the International

Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), 2009 edition, with
amendments and supplements thereto is hereby adopted as the Saudi Aramco
Mechanical Code.

This code shall be applied and intended for Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and
Refrigeration System application. This code may also be applied to other mechanical
installations when required except where more stringent requirements are specified in
other applicable Saudi Aramco Standards.

2 Conflicts and Deviations

2.1 Any conflicts between this Standard and other applicable Saudi Aramco
Engineering Standards (SAESs), Materials System Specifications (SAMSSs),
Industry Standards, Codes, Forms and Saudi Aramco Mandatory Drawings
(SAMDs) shall be resolved in writing by the Company or Buyer Representative
through the Manager, Consulting Services Department, Dhahran.

2.2 All requests to deviate from this standard shall be directed to the Company or
Buyer Representative, who shall follow internal company procedure SAEP-302
and forward such requests to the Manager, Consulting Services Department,
Dhahran.

3 References

All referenced specifications, standards, codes, forms, drawings and similar material
shall be of the latest issue (including all revisions, addenda and supplements) unless
stated otherwise.

3.1 Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedures

SAEP-103 Metric Units of Weights and Measure
SAEP-301 Instructions for Establishing and Maintaining Saudi
Aramco Engineering Requirements
SAEP-302 Instructions for Obtaining a Waiver of a Mandatory
Saudi Aramco Engineering Requirement

Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards

SAES-K-001 Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC)

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Document Responsibility: HVAC Standards Committee SAES-K-100
Issue Date: 5 May 2016
Next Planned Update: 5 May 2019 Saudi Aramco Mechanical (HVAC) Code

SAES-K-002 Air Conditioning Systems for Essential Operating

Facilities
SAES-K-003 Air Conditioning Systems for Communications
Buildings
SAES-M-100 Saudi Aramco Building Code
SAES-S-060 Saudi Aramco Plumbing Code

Saudi Aramco General Instruction

GI-0425.000 Refrigerant Management

3.2 Industry Codes and Standards

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating & Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc.

ASHRAE STD 62 Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality

Underwriters Laboratories
UL-181 UL Standard for Safety Factory-Made Air Duct and
Connectors

Uniform Mechanical Code, 2009 edition

4 General Requirements

4.1 All provisions of the Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) apply, except as
modified in Section 6 below. The UMC, modified by this Saudi Aramco
Engineering Standard (SAES), and all other Documents listed in paragraph 4.4
shall constitute the Saudi Aramco Mechanical Code (SAMC) and is hereafter
referred to as “this Code”.

4.2 The provisions of this Code shall apply but not limited to the construction,
modification, repair and use of heating, ventilating and air-conditioning and
other mechanical systems within Saudi Aramco operated camps and plant areas
except where more stringent requirements are specified in other applicable Saudi
Aramco Standards with regard to fire, life and property safety.

4.3 All references to specifications, standards, codes, etc. herein are to be

interpreted as applying to the latest editions of the date of design or major
alteration of the mechanical system in question.

4.4 The Saudi Aramco Standards and Specifications listed below are to be
considered a part of this code, and in case of any conflict, supersede the
requirements of this code. Questions, regarding the clarification or
interpretation of this Code shall be directed to the Chairman of HVAC Standards

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Document Responsibility: HVAC Standards Committee SAES-K-100
Issue Date: 5 May 2016
Next Planned Update: 5 May 2019 Saudi Aramco Mechanical (HVAC) Code

Committee. Design approval for fire and life safety provisions rests with the
Chief Fire Prevention Engineer.
SAES-K-001 Design and Installation of Heating, Ventilation and
Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems
SAES-K-002 Air Conditioning Systems for Essential Operating
Facilities
SAES-K-003 Air Conditioning Systems for Communications
Buildings
SAES-S-060 Saudi Aramco Plumbing Code
SAES-M-100 Saudi Aramco Building Code
SAEP-103 Metric Units of Weights and Measure
SAEP-301 Instructions for Establishing and Maintaining
Mandatory Saudi Aramco Engineering
Requirements
SAEP-302 Instructions for Obtaining a Waiver of a Mandatory
Saudi Aramco Engineering Requirement
ASHRAE STD 62 Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality
UMC 2009 Edition Uniform Mechanical Code

4.5 The UMC is written using the English system of units. For Saudi Aramco
applications, conversion to the Metric system shall be in accordance with
SAEP-103, Metric Units of Weights and Measures.

5 Summary of Modifications

Individual Sections of the UMC apply unless modified as indicated below. The Chapter
number and section number shown are those listed in the 2009 Edition of the UMC.

Saudi Aramco Mechanical Code

Table of Contents

UMC Chapter No. Title Remarks Page No.

Chapter 1 Administration
Part I – General
Modified 6
Part II – Organization & Enforcement
Part III – Permits & Inspections
Chapter 2 Definitions Modified 8
Chapter 3 General Requirements Modified 9

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Document Responsibility: HVAC Standards Committee SAES-K-100
Issue Date: 5 May 2016
Next Planned Update: 5 May 2019 Saudi Aramco Mechanical (HVAC) Code

UMC Chapter No. Title Remarks Page No.

Chapter 4 Ventilation Air Supply Modified 9
Chapter 5 Exhaust System
Part I – Environmental Air Ducts and
Product-Conveying System No Change
Part II – Commercial Hoods and Kitchen
Ventilation
Chapter 6 Duct System Modified 9
Chapter 7 Combustion Air No Change
Chapter 8 Chimneys & Vents No Change
Chapter 9 Installation of Specific Appliances No Change
Chapter 10 Steam and Hot water Boilers No Change
Chapter 11 Refrigeration
Part I – Refrigeration Systems Modified 10
Part II – Cooling Towers
Chapter 12 Hydronics No Change
Part I – Steam & Water Piping
Part II – Hydronic Panel Heating System
Chapter 13 Fuel Gas Piping No Change
Part I – Fuel Piping
Part II – Fuel Supply: Manufactured/Mobile
Home Parks and Recreational Vehicle
Parks
Chapter 14 Process Piping No Change
Chapter 15 Solar System No Change
Chapter 16 Stationary Power Plants No Change
Chapter 17 Standards No Change
Part I – Standards Adopted as part of this
code
Part II – Referenced Standards

Appendix A
Uniform Mechanical Code Standards
No. 2-2 Standards for Galvanized Sheet Metals
No. 6-2 Standards for Metal Ducts
No. 6-5 Standard for Installation of Factory Made Air Ducts

Appendix B
Procedures to be followed to place Gas Equipment in Operation No Change

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Document Responsibility: HVAC Standards Committee SAES-K-100
Issue Date: 5 May 2016
Next Planned Update: 5 May 2019 Saudi Aramco Mechanical (HVAC) Code

Appendix C
Installation and Testing of Oil (Liquid) Fuel-Fired Equipment No Change

Appendix D
Unit Conversion Tables No Change

6 Modifications to Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC)

The following paragraph numbers refer to Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC), which is
part of this standard. The text in each paragraph below is an addition, exception,
modification, or deletion to UMC as noted. Paragraph numbers not appearing in UMC
are new paragraphs to be inserted in numerical order.

Chapter 1 Administration

Part I - General

103.2 Conflicts

Replace the word “Authority having jurisdiction” to “applicable

Proponent and Project Management Organizations of Saudi Aramco.”

103.3 Design and Testing

Replace to:

“The design and testing of equipment regulated by this Code shall be

subject for approval by the applicable Proponent and Project
Management Organizations of Saudi Aramco.”

104.1 Additions, Alterations or Repairs

Delete “when approved by the building official” from the last sentence
of the last paragraph.

104.4 Maintenance

In the last sentence replace “Authority Having Jurisdiction” by

“Manager of Inspection Department.”

105.0 Alternates Require Approval and replace “Authority Having

Jurisdiction” with “Manager of Consulting Services Department.”

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Document Responsibility: HVAC Standards Committee SAES-K-100
Issue Date: 5 May 2016
Next Planned Update: 5 May 2019 Saudi Aramco Mechanical (HVAC) Code

106.0 Intent

Replace “Authority Having Jurisdiction” with “Manager of Consulting

Services Department”.

107.0 Testing

Replace “Authority Having Jurisdiction” with “Manager of Consulting

Services Department.”

Part II - Organization and Enforcement

Part III - Permits and Inspections are deleted and replaced with:
a) Any modifications to this Code shall be in accordance with the
requirements of Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure SAEP-301,
Instructions for Establishing and Maintaining Saudi Aramco
Engineering Requirements. Waivers from this code shall be
prepared, evaluated and approved in accordance with SAEP-302,
Instructions for Obtaining a Waiver of a Saudi Aramco
Engineering Requirement.
b) The Authority Having Jurisdiction of waiver approval is vested in
the Manager of Consulting Services Department, as defined in
SAEP-302.
c) The Authority Having Jurisdiction, regarding the technical aspects,
applicability or clarification of this Code, rests with the Chairman
of HVAC Standards Committee.
d) The Authority Having Jurisdiction, regarding the fire safety aspects
of the requirements in this Code, is the Chief Fire Prevention
Engineer of Loss Prevention Department.
e) The Authority Having Jurisdiction, regarding the inspection
activities aspects of the requirements in this Code, is the engineer
in-charge from Inspection Department.
f) The Authority Having Jurisdiction, regarding the Environmental
and Health aspects of the requirements in this Code, is the
Environmental Protection Department.

113.2 (Addition) “an engineer licensed by the state” means “a licensed

engineer by the engineering regulatory body in the respective country or
state to be authorized for performing engineering in the specialty of
HVAC design work and shall hold a valid license.”

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Document Responsibility: HVAC Standards Committee SAES-K-100
Issue Date: 5 May 2016
Next Planned Update: 5 May 2019 Saudi Aramco Mechanical (HVAC) Code

Commentary Note:

Design engineers in Saudi Arabia shall be licensed by Saudi Council of

Engineers (SCE) to perform engineering work.

113.2.1 (New) Minor additions, alterations, renovations and repairs to existing

HVAC systems shall meet the provisions for new construction.

116.1 (Addition) The engineer in-charge from Inspection Department shall be

trained for inspecting HVAC systems. The training certification shall be
from an independent third party historically known in the area of
building codes.

118.0 (New) Installers, shall be trained to install HVAC systems. The training
certification shall be from an independent third party historically known
in the area of building codes.

Chapter 2 Definitions

203.0 The Authority Having Jurisdiction is the person/entity representative as

defined in the earlier sections of this Standard.

Building Code shall mean the Saudi Aramco Building Code,

SAES-M-100.

Plumbing Code shall mean the Saudi Aramco Plumbing Code,

SAES-S-060.

211.0 INSTALLER

(New) wherever in this code the term “installer” is used it shall mean
construction contractor or maintenance personnel.

214.0 LABELED

Replace: “Listing Agency” with Underwriters Laboratory (UL).

LISTED (3rd Party Certified)

Replace: “Listing Agency” with Underwriters Laboratory (UL).

LISTING AGENCY – shall solely be referred to Underwriter

Laboratories (UL), except where more stringent requirements are
specified in other applicable Saudi Aramco Standards with regard to
Health, Safety and Environment.

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Document Responsibility: HVAC Standards Committee SAES-K-100
Issue Date: 5 May 2016
Next Planned Update: 5 May 2019 Saudi Aramco Mechanical (HVAC) Code

218.0 PLANS and SPECIFICATIONS

Shall mean Issued for Construction (IFC) drawings and construction

specifications.

Chapter 3 General Requirements

308.0 Electrical Connections

Add:

All electrical components, controls, wiring and devices to be use in the

installation of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning system or other
mechanical system installation shall be:
 UL Listed
 Installed in accordance with NFPA 70, National Electrical Code
Exemption:

Where more stringent requirements are specified in other

applicable Saudi Aramco Standards with regard to fire, life, health,
environment and property safety shall prevail.

Acceptance of listing, label, certification or testing of other

internationally known agency shall be approved by the HVAC Standards
Committee with the concurrences of the Managers from Loss Prevention
Department and Fire Protection Department.

309.3 Condensate Waste Sizing

For Central Station Air Handling Units, the minimum drain size shall be
1-¼” ɸ (32 mm ɸ) regardless of the capacity as shown on Table 3-1.

All pipe and fittings intended for condensate drain piping shall be of the
Drainage Waste and Vent (DWV) type material.

Chapter 4 Ventilation Air Supply

402.1 General Requirements

Replace with:

“Ventilation air supply requirements for specific occupancies are listed in

HVAC Engineering Standards SAES-K-001, SAES-K-002, SAES-K-003
and ASHRAE STD 62.”

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Document Responsibility: HVAC Standards Committee SAES-K-100
Issue Date: 5 May 2016
Next Planned Update: 5 May 2019 Saudi Aramco Mechanical (HVAC) Code

Chapter 6 Duct Systems

603.0 Quality of Material

Add as a paragraph:

Duct material for Supply, Return and Exhaust ducts and other air
terminal devices, i.e., Volume Dampers, Air Diffusers, Grilles, etc.,
installed within a corrosive environment, such as battery rooms or any
rooms emitting corrosive gas or vapor, shall either be coated with an
anti-corrosive coating prior to insulation or the ducts shall be made of
316L stainless steel material or better.

604.2 Metal Ducts

Add as last sentence of the third paragraph:

Ducts shall be installed plumbed and aligned with the building grids.
Air Ducts crossing through building construction joints shall be provided
with flexible duct connectors as a provision for expansion, contraction,
shrinkage and structural settlement.

605.0 Insulation of Ducts.

Add to the end of the paragraph:

“Insulation of ducts shall also comply with the requirements of

SAES-K-001.”

606.0 Smoke Dampers, Fire Dampers and Ceiling Dampers

Add as the first paragraph of this section:

“Smoke, Fire, Ceiling and Fire-Smoke dampers shall comply with the
requirements of SAES-K-001, SAES-K-101, 27-SAMSS-001 and shall
be installed in accordance with manufacturer's installation instructions or
latest edition of SMACNA’s Fire, Smoke and Radiation Damper
Installation Guide.”

606.5 Access and Identification

Add as 4th sentence:

Access Door location shall be free from interference, obstruction of other

utilities, e.g., electrical / communication cable trays, conduits, Water
Piping (Raw, Drinking and Fire), etc.

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Document Responsibility: HVAC Standards Committee SAES-K-100
Issue Date: 5 May 2016
Next Planned Update: 5 May 2019 Saudi Aramco Mechanical (HVAC) Code

Chapter 11 Refrigeration

1101.1 Scope

Delete the following:

“and other applicable provisions of this code”

Replace with:

“GI-0425.000 and.”

Revision Summary
5 May 2016 Major revision to address SAMIR recommendations from the Fire Investigation Report of
Al-Jebel Complex at Udhailiyah Camp.

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