Building Codes Assistance Project

With an increased focus on building energy efficiency in the last year, unprecedented federal funding opportunities have placed state code infrastructures in uncharted waters as they deal with adopting, implementing, and enforcing the latest national model energy codes. The state of New Hampshire has taken the initiative to become a national leader in developing a roadmap for energy code training and compliance. For her work toward these goals, the Building Codes Assistance Project is proud to recognize Laura Richardson of the New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning as its Winter 2010 Energy Code Champion!

Legislation passed in 2009 (SB 79) requires the Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) to improve the energy efficiency of commercial structures by 15-25% over the existing energy requirements for commercial buildings. For the first time, the energy efficiency provisions will be published as a stand-alone code and based on the IECC. Chapter 5 of the 2010 Oregon Energy Efficiency Specialty Code (OEESC) will take the place of Chapter 13 of the 2007 Oregon Structural Specialty Code (OSSC). At its February 3 meeting, the Building Codes Structures Board reviewed code change proposals and amendments to the 2009 IECC requirements for the building envelope, lighting, and mechanical systems. The Board recommended that the BCD adopt the 2009 IECC with Oregon amendments as the 2010 OEESC, and to move forward with rulemaking.

On October 15, the Connecticut Department of Public Safety’s State Codes and Standards Committee (SCSC) announced that it intended to review and consider proposals amending the 2009 IECC for inclusion in the 2010 Amendments to the 2005 State Building Code (which currently uses the 2006 IECC) to comply with Public Act 09-192. The SCSC met initially on December 9 and accepted proposals through December 31. The SCSC met again on January 27 to receive and review the proposed changes to the 2009 IECC.

After giving initial approval to a proposed state energy code update on December 16, the New York State Uniform Fire and Building Code Council has scheduled a series of public hearings on the approved changes in early March. The proposed 2010 Energy Conservation Construction Code of New York State would be based on the 2009 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2007 (the current ECCCNYS is based on the 2004 IECC supplement and ASHRAE 90.1-2004). The New York Department of State (NYS-DOS) hopes to implement the new energy code by the end of this year.

[Updated January 26, 2010]

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) State Codes Advisory Committee (SCAC) 2009 IECC Task Force has posted minutes from its January 14 meeting. The fourth meeting of the Task Force is scheduled for Wednesday, February 17 in Atlanta. The Task Force is tentatively expected to review all code amendments submitted to date. Information on previous meetings can be found at the Task Force homepage.