Energy Devopment of Code and Regulations

Federal law (ECPA , as amended by the Energy Policy Act) requires the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to determine whether revisions to the residential portion of the IECC would improve energy efficiency in the nation’s residential buildings and whether revisions to ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1 would improve energy efficiency in the nation’s commercial buildings.

When DOE determines that a revision would improve energy efficiency, each state has two years to review the energy provisions of its residential or commercial building energy code.

·       For residential buildings, a state has the option of revising its residential code to meet or exceed the residential portion of the IECC.

·       If a state determines that it is not appropriate to revise its residential code, the state is required to explain why in writing to the Secretary of Energy.

·       For commercial buildings, a state is required to update its commercial code to meet or exceed the provisions of Standard 90.1.

·       Certifications are due to the Secretary of Energy.

DOE also develops and promulgates improved Federal building energy codes and standards.  Federal building codes and standards apply to buildings constructed or used by any Federal agency that is not legally subject to state or local building codes.

Specifies how a building must be constructed

Model energy codes are developed and published by the ICC through an open public-hearing process.  The IECC Code Development Committee typically has 7 to 11 code, building science, and energy experts appointed by the ICC.  Most, but not all, committee members are code officials.  They may or may not be members of the ICC.  The IRC Building and Energy Committee is approximately the same size and includes builders, code officials, and industry representatives.  The following flowchart shows the process used by the ICC.

How does the ICC process work?

Anyone may suggest a revision to the IECC or IRC by requesting a code change proposal from the committee and preparing a recommended change and substantiation.  The committee publishes proposed changes and distributes them for review.  This occurs about six weeks prior to the first, open public hearing which is held in front of the code development committee.

At the public hearing, the committee receives testimony and then votes to approve, deny, or revise each change.  The committee publishes its results.

Those wishing to have a proposed change reconsidered may submit a challenge to the committee’s recommended action.  Proponents and opponents present additional information at a second public hearing (which involves the full voting membership of the ICC), followed by a vote of the full ICC membership.  This outcome may be appealed to the ICC Board of Directors.

What’s the timing of the ICC process?

The IECC and IRC are revised on an 18-month cycle.  However, full publication of the documents occurs every third year, with supplements issued in the interim time.

When developing and adopting their own energy codes, states and local governments typically adopt the full-published IECC or IRC.  By specifically adopting the supplements as well, state and local governments ensure that their energy codes include important additions and clarifications to the IECC or IRC.

The ICC also publishes several other codes, referred to as the ‘I’ codes.  The other codes include:

·       International Building  Code

·       International Fire Code

·       International Plumbing Code

·       International Mechanical Code

·       International Fuel Gas Code

·       International Private Sewage Disposal Code

·       ICC Performance Code for Buildings and Facilities

·       ICC Electrical Code – Administrative Provisions

·       International Property Maintenance Code

·       International Zoning Code

·       International Existing Building Code

·       International Urban-Wildland Interface Code

 

The NFPA’s technical committee responsible for NFPA 900 is the Building Systems Committee.  The committee has approximately 20 members including representatives from municipalities, private industry, and Federal agencies.

How does the NFPA process work?

The Building Systems Committee accepts code change proposals during specified ‘Call for Proposal’ periods.  The committee then holds meetings over three months to discuss all of the proposals, including the committee’s own proposals.  All proposals (including proposals that are changed or rejected) are published in a Report on Proposals (ROP).  To be approved, proposals must receive a two-thirds approval vote by letter ballot of the committee.  The ROP is made publicly available, and if two-thirds of all committee members eligible to approve it do so, a 60-day public comment period begins.

A public committee meeting is held to act on all comments received.  Once again, to be approved, proposals must receive a two-thirds approval vote by letter ballot of the committee.  The committee publishes reasons for changing or rejecting any public comments in a new report, the Report on Comments (ROC), that is publicly available for a seven-week review period.

What’s the timing of the NFPA process?

NFPA 900 is published every three years, with Tentative Interim Amendments (TIAs) released as necessary, and Errata documents are also made available on NFPA’s website .

Describes how a building should be constructed

ASHRAE standards are developed and revised through voluntary consensus and public hearing processes.  ASHRAE works with other standards organizations, such as the IESNA, ANSI, ASTM, ARI, and UL .  The voluntary consensus process also includes representation from:

·       The design community, including architects, lighting, and mechanical designers;

·       Members of the enforcement community, including building code officials, representatives of code organizations, and state regulatory agencies;

·       Building owners and operators;

·       Industry and manufacturers;

·       Utility companies; and

·       Representatives from the Department of Energy, energy advocacy groups, and the academic community.

 

 

How does the process work?

Standards 90.1 and 90.2 are both on continuous maintenance and are maintained by separate Standing Standards Project Committees (SSPCs).  Committee membership varies from 10 to 60 voting members and includes representatives from many groups to ensure balance among all interest categories.

After the committee proposes revisions to the standard, it undergoes public review and comment.  The committee usually incorporates non-substantive changes into the standard without another review. 

ASHRAE Change Form

Substantive changes require additional public review.  Occasionally, mediation is necessary to resolve differing views.

When a majority of the parties substantially agree (this is known as consensus), the revised standard is submitted for approval to the ASHRAE Board of Directors.  Those not in agreement with the decision may appeal to the Board.  If an appeal is upheld, further revision, public comment, and resolution occur.  If the Board denies the appeal, publication of the standard proceeds.

What’s the timing of the process?

Standards 90.1 and 90.2 are automatically revised and published every three years.  However, anyone may propose a revision at any time.  Approved interim revisions (called addenda) are posted on the ASHRAE website and are included in the next published version.

Key activities related to revisions, including responding to public comments, typically occur during one of ASHRAE’s annual (June) or mid-winter (January) meetings.  Public review of standards commonly occurs two to four months after one of these meetings.  

·       The IECC and IRC are revised on an 18-month cycle.  Full publications occur every third year.

·       The public can submit proposed changes to the IECC, IRC, 90.1, 90.2, and NFPA 900.

·       90.1, 90.2, and NFPA 900 are published every three years.

This information was obtained from and is available at http://www.energycodes.gov