Which of the following is NOT a way makeup air must be provided?

Makeup air refers to the outside air that is brought into a building to replace the air that has been exhausted, particularly from venting systems or processes that remove air from a space. There are several recognized methods for providing makeup air, including gravity and mechanical means.

Gravity systems rely on natural airflow and pressure differences to bring air into a space. These systems can utilize openings such as vents or louvers placed in the building envelope. In contrast, mechanical methods involve using fans or blowers to actively pull outside air into the building, ensuring a controlled airflow that can adjust based on the building’s needs.

Solar power does not represent a method for providing makeup air. While it can be used to power systems that condition or move air, it does not stand alone as a means to supply makeup air. Thus, it is not one of the recognized methods according to the mechanical code, which focuses on the functional aspects of airflow, rather than the energy source used for ventilation systems.

This understanding helps clarify that while gravity and mechanical means are standard and code-compliant ways to provide makeup air, the solar power option does not inherently facilitate the mechanical processes or the natural flow necessary for makeup air, hence making it the correct answer for the query.