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Just wondering if anyone has heard of a requirement in Ontario Building Code (or elsewhere) to move supply and return air vents near the floor (from the ceiling) when finishing a basement.  Building inspector is insistent that we move ceiling return and supply from ceiling to floor but has yet to provide me with Code reference.  >:(  I know there is a whole debate on where the best place for these is but I just want to know what, if anything the code says.  I've already made my decision where I want them, just want to know the law.  :D

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks

This post may help,

https://www.hvactechgroup.com/hvacforum/index.php?topic=2583.0

The Ontario Building Code just switched to the 2024 Edition, so all the Article numbers changed.  I attached the 2024 OBC for your reference.

According to Article 9.33.6.11(3) warm-air outlets can be installed in the ceiling.

Quote9.33.6.11 - Warm-Air Supply Outlets
(3) Where the heating system is also designed to provide ventilation air, ceiling outlets or outlets located high on interior walls are permitted to be installed, provided the outlets are designed for this purpose and are installed with diffusers.

The inspector will not be able to provide any Code that requires the return air to be installed at the floor level, using either the OBC or SMACNA.

Article 9.33.6.12(2) only requires 1 return air per floor, so if your basement already has 1 return air, then just tell the inspector you are eliminating the new return air, and that argument is over.

Quote9.33.6.12 - Return-Air System
(2) Except for floor levels which are less than 900 mm above or below an adjacent floor level which is provided with a return-air inlet, at least one return-air inlet shall be provided in each floor level in a dwelling unit.

I will say your basement will be more comfortable if you put the return at the floor level.  It's very easy to line the joists in the mechanical room and pop a return air into the finished area.

You can read this post to find all the return air codes found in the OBC.  You just have to search the new 2024 OBC to find the new Article
numbers.  See the attached Return Air Codes.pdf at the bottom of this post.

https://www.hvactechgroup.com/hvacforum/index.php?topic=1414.msg3868#msg3868

Thanks for the OBC and thanks for clarifying.

Is the furnace have a hrv or erv connect to the duct work

If so it is considered ventilation and can be left in the ceiling