The International Residential Code Section M1505.2 states that the air removed by every mechanical exhaust system shall be discharged to the outdoors. This avoids exhausting contaminants into areas that may be occupied by people or into concealed spaces, such as attics.
Exhaust ducts must connect directly to terminals that pass through the building envelope to the outside atmosphere. Bathroom exhaust fans are required to have a minimum airflow rate of 50 CFM — cubic feet per minute.
It is a violation of code for bath fans to vent into the attic. The bathroom exhaust must be vented to the outside with a proper vent designed for this purpose, and one that includes a cover to help keep wildlife and small animals out of the ductwork. SoffitFlow exceeds these requirements by ensuring exhausted air doesn't recirculate through the building envelope.
The design meets minimum airflow requirements while providing positive termination beyond the building envelope. This eliminates the gray area where traditional soffit vents technically meet code but practically fail to prevent moisture intrusion.
Professional AdvantagesCode compliance provides legal protection, but performance prevents callbacks. SoffitFlow's design eliminates the most common cause of post-installation moisture problems in residential exhaust systems. This translates to fewer warranty claims, reduced liability exposure, and higher customer satisfaction ratings.
Performance vs. Compliance
Code compliance represents minimum acceptable performance, not optimal building science. SoffitFlow exceeds minimum requirements by addressing the fundamental physics that cause standard installations to underperform. This distinction becomes critical when addressing moisture-related warranty claims or insurance investigations.
Professional contractors who understand this distinction can position themselves as building science experts rather than code-minimum installers, justifying premium pricing and building long-term client relationships.