Possibility of future changes of ICC dryer transition requirements?
I’m familiar with the current, UL 2158A transition requirements, and up to 35′ rigid from transition to venting with damper, with no more than 2( 90°) turns, no venting shall be 3′ or closer to HVAC condenser, air intakes, no venting from roof, etc, on the average residential one family home.
My question, for the sake of discussion and maybe a little personal disagreement that essentially holds nothing lost on either side, is: Do any of you see the potential for the ICC to stop allowing the 8′ semi rigid/UL 2158A rated flex ducting as a transition from dryer to the not exposed rigid vent ducting. My reference for questioning it, is because there is many sources releasing for sale various non flexible transition solutions. For example ACE hardware sells a connector that is much like a quick connect, or pneumatic tool hose connector in a way, it has basically a male and female push in/pull out air tight fitting, I’ve seen magnetic rigid square tubing that has two very short flex turn sections, and a few others I think you get my point. Additionally, I have some insider information from someone who’s one of the top people in a three letter (two vowels and a S) department of the California government, who has been meeting with a listing representative, in regards to other topics. I know because I’m related to someone who’s been at some of the meetings with the before mentioned, and is professionally equally regarded by them. My relative has discussed such things with them and both agreed, “yes technology has advanced and rigid is much better all around than any flex ducting”. At which they also all agreed, the over all need for gradual introduction, time taken to jump through the hoops of all those involved, from UL, to ICC, to government federal and state, to any potential judicial involvement… could be 20 or 30 years or more potentially.
So I know the thoughts of the top emergency services leadership in my state, but I am interested in the people who are the builders, the ones who need to be one step ahead and be the leading edge of quality home construction. I’m aware most of you aren’t around the build site anymore when it comes to installing dryers, you’re already on to the next project, in theory. But you have the mindset of a builder, and obviously I assume you have your own house you live in, might even be a chance one or two of you do your own laundry. I’m really getting out on the tiny branches now I know, lol.
It’s probably been 20 years since most of you had to mess around with dryer flex ducting, but I’m recently fresh on my experience, and flex is Bull Stuff, when there’s simple plug and play options available.
Thoughts, please? And thank you.
Replies
Sorry, but what is the question? Obviously rigid is going to perform better than flex... But the code is what it is.
Student, could you give us some info on the various "simple plug and play options available"?
My question is why, after 50 (70?) years of clothes dryer technology we still have A) dryers that send a lot of lint down the duct and B) the various undeniably klunky dryer-to-duct transition systems.
A) would require a fine pore final filter that would inevitably get clogged, which would would require a clog sensor and shut-off switch, with a Service Final Filter light and a little airtight door that would let you clean the final filter. No doubt a bit spendy, but cheaper than my fee for cleaning dryer ducts and waaay cheaper than a dryer fire.
B) isn't quite so straightforward, but if we could put a man on the moon ( 50 years ago ) we should be able to design an elegant transition duct system. Again, probably a bit spendy, but if you look at the klunkiness of the current "systems" and the amount of time we spend futzing around with them and their tendency to fail in various ways, you could justify quite a few dollars.
The DryerBox is a partial solution to B, although it's a bit spendy and only works in some situations. ( https://dryerbox.com/what-causes-dryer-fires )
Does anyone know how condensing dryers deal with the lint issue?