Building Codes
IMT works nationally and internationally to strengthen building energy codes. In the United States, IMT helps craft federal legislation related to codes and participates in the development of model codes and standards. We also assist state and local governments in adopting, implementing and enforcing efficient codes. IMT is a member of the Energy Efficient Codes Coalition.
Internationally, IMT is working to increase energy efficiency in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgystan. We previously worked with partners in Russia and neighboring countries and China on building energy codes.
IMT: DESIGNING BETTER BUILDING ENERGY CODES
Strong building energy codes are one of the most effective mechanisms to increase the long-term energy efficiency of buildings. Each year in the United States, we build new or renovate about 10 billion square feet of commercial and residential floor space*. We also tear down about 1.75 billion square feet. By the year 2035, about 75 percent of the U.S. building sector will be either new or renovated. The energy efficiency requirements of today's building codes have an immense impact on the buildings of tomorrow.
Working with the Energy Efficient Codes Coalition, IMT recently testified in support of several code proposals at the ICC 2012 code development hearings in Baltimore. See results from the hearings. IMT is currently participating in development of the ICC's International Green Construction Code and also participated in the 2009 ICC code development cycle. At the federal level, IMT last year helped secure significant funding for building code enforcement in the House version of the federal climate bill. IMT works regionally with state and local governments, including Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia, to support the adoption and implementation of energy-efficient codes. We also work internationally with governments to help facilitate advanced building codes.
*Stats according to Architecture 2030
SEE IMT's BULIDING ENERGY CODE WORK
- National Level
- Washington, DC Area
- International - Russia, Eastern Europe and China
- IMT Energy Code Compliance Best Practices Strawman
BUILDING CODE LINKS & RESOURCES
General Code
ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004 - Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings
Free live web casts on ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2007
- Architecture 2030
- Building Codes Assistance Project
- Development Center for Appropriate Technology (DCAT)
- DC Government Green Buildings Page
- Energy Efficient Codes Coalition
- International Code Council (ICC)
- New Buildings Institute NBI created, maintains and supports the Core Performance Guide, which brings together a set of strategies that provide a prescriptive path for design teams that results in buildings 30 percent better than national building energy standards (ASHRAE 90.1 2004). What’s more, the USGBC has adopted Core Performance as a prescriptive option for up to five points under LEED-NC v2.2.
- New York City Building Code (Chapter 15: New York City Cool Roof building code provisions)
Water Efficiency / Plumbing Code
- New York City Plumbing Code Water Conservation (Appendix C)
- Sandy Springs, Georgia (pop 87,000) is considering building code changes to require water recycling systems for new homes valued at $500,000 or more, waterless urinals in all new commercial buildings and low-volume faucets, bath fixtures and appliances in all new homes
Live/work Code
- Seattle's existing live/work code program (along with other NW regional examples).
- Northeast Regional Building Energy Codes Project of the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP)
Additional Resources
- California Buliding Officials: www.calbo.org/ and www.consol.ws/calbo/
- Lessons learned: Jobs from Building Energy Codes
