/ Field knowledge · IMC 502.20
A nail station is not a restroom with a ceiling grille.
A nail station is not a restroom with a ceiling grille. IMC 502.20–502.20.1: provide local exhaust per Table 403.3.1.1 Note h. If the station has no factory exhaust, add inlets within 12 inches horizontally and vertically of where chemicals are applied, and run that exhaust whenever the space is occupied. Tying salon exhaust into general return is the miss 502 is written to catch.
Educational 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC) 502.20 from Daily Code Talk (same post as 502.11–502.19 special occupancies). Confirm the adopted edition. Distinct from 502.3 batteries and 502.8 MAQ. This is not a salon-exhaust design.
- 502.20–502.20.1 manicure/pedicure: local exhaust per Table 403.3.1.1 Note h.
- No factory exhaust on the table: inlets within 12 in horizontally and vertically of the point of application. Exhaust on whenever the space is occupied — not only when someone “feels fumes.”
- Related 502.11–502.19 (same DCT post, process-based, not a room name): motion-picture projectors — hard-connect the collar; without a collar, electric-arc ≥ 200 cfm per lamp, xenon ≥ 300 cfm per lamp and housing ≤ 130°F; do not tie into other exhaust/return. Organic coating: ≥ 1 cfm/ft² of solid floor, pickup at floor level. Source-capture on tailpipes where engines run in place (exceptions: EV-only, 1- and 2-family, move-in/move-out only). Lighter-than-air fuel repair (CNG/LNG/hydrogen): inlets low, outlets high, automatic shutdown of fueling on exhaust failure; hydrogen repair also NFPA 2.
On the set: M-001 “SPECIAL EXHAUST — IMC 502.11–502.20” with the design basis (12 in pickup, cfm/lamp, 1 cfm/ft², source capture). M-601: exhaust type, design basis, code reference. Do not manifold salon or coating exhaust into environmental return.
Ten manicure tables and one restroom fan
Or a factory “vented table” with the collar capped in the ceiling plenum. Pickup height is the inspection item. 12 in from the chemicals — not from the nearest wall.
Source: Daily Code Talk — IMC 502.11–502.20 · tool: 12-inch pickup screen · 502.8: MAQ exhaust · 404: garage.
What to send
How many stations, whether tables have a factory exhaust collar, a photo or RCP of the ceiling grille, and whether that duct goes outdoors or into the return plenum.
If the salon only has a restroom fan
Send the station count and the RCP. Masterbuild will say whether 502.20 still has no 12-inch pickup — or 502.20 still dumps into the return.
Send Project Background+1 (786) 398-6940 · osmany.portal@masterbuildconsulting.com
Masterbuild provides engineering services under a written scope. Nothing on this page is project-specific engineering advice, a code interpretation for your project, or a representation about permit approval. Confirm the adopted edition. 12 in horizontal and vertical pickup, Table 403.3.1.1 Note h, 200/300 cfm per lamp, 1 cfm/ft² coating, and lighter-than-air low-inlet/high-outlet rules are 2024 IMC 502.11–502.20 education from Daily Code Talk — not a salon or garage design. This page is not legal advice.