The 2015 IMC® contains many important changes including:

• Ventilation for medical facilities (ambulatory care and hospitals) will be required to comply with ASHRAE 170 instead of the provisions of Chapter 4 for natural or mechanical ventilation. (Section 407; M36-12)
• The ventilation requirements for residential occupancy Groups R-2, R-3 and R-4 which are three stories and less above grade plane have been completely revised to be coordinated with the provisions in ASHRAE 62.2. (Section 403; M42-12)
• The provisions for commercial kitchen hoods were completely reorganized and separated based on general provisions versus related sections for Type I and Type II hoods. The flow and structure of the text is more logical and user friendly. (Section 507; M101-12)
• The hazardous exhaust provisions were clarified for the following topics: redundant (backup) exhaust equipment; duct manifolds from different fire areas; recirculation prohibitions; and the requirement for system independence. (Section 510; M113, M114, M116 and M117-12)
• Comprehensive provisions for ground source heat pump loops systems have been added to the code. Included are provisions for piping, tubing, joints and connections, valves, installation and tests. (Section 1210; M188-12)