
Greening the District’s Building Codes April 29, 2014
Learning Objectives • Learn the applicability of the Green Building Act, 2013 D.C. Green Construction Code, 2008 D.C. Energy Conservation Code, and 2013 D.C. Energy Conservation Code to your project. • Understand the scope of DC Green Building Code • Learn the scope of the Green Building Program Manual and how to navigate the document. • Learn the new permitting requirements for the 2013 Green Construction Code and 2013 Energy Conservation Code. • Learn the how the new green and energy codes will impact building inspections
Goals of the New Codes • Green the District’s Construction Codes to the maximum extent practicable • Codify the best practices currently followed by green building leaders in the District • Other important goals and considerations • Fire and life safety • Use of modern technology • Unique DC characteristics, policies and statutes • Accessibility
2013 DC Green Construction Code • 2012 International Green Construction Code, Amended • Applies to the construction, addition, alteration, relocation, razing, and demolition of every building or structures structure as stated below: • Non-residential projects (10,000 SF and larger) • Multifamily residential 4 stories and larger (and 10,000 SF and larger) • Demolition (10,000 SF or larger) • Site Work (10,000 SF or larger) • Find the DC Green Codes here: • http://www.dcregs.dc.gov/Gateway/NoticeHome.aspx?noticeid=4810344
Green Code Compliance Paths • Green Building Act • Green Construction Code • Alternate Compliance Pathways: • ASHRAE 189.1 • LEED • Green Communities • ICC 700, NGBS
Transitory Provisions • 2013 DC Construction Codes Effective March 28, 2014 • Exceptions (Section 123 Building Code) • Projects with existing valid building permits • Projects with existing filed application • Projects with existing design contracts • Tenant Layout Permits for built Core and Shell
Which one applies to my project? • Green Building Act? • Or • DC Green Building Codes ? • Or • No compliance requirement?
Site Development & Land Use • Predesign Site Inventory & Assessment -- Soils & Invasive/Native plant species • Stormwater Requirements Removed • Landscape Irrigation Systems -- 50% design reductions in landscaping water use • Management of Vegetation, Soils and Erosion Control • Soil reuse and restoration • Containment and removal of invasive plants • 50% native planting requirement. Remainder can be adaptive
Site Development & Land Use • Building Site Waste Management • Heat Island Mitigation – 50% of site hardscaping • SRI of 0.30 or greater, shading by structures & trees, pervious paving, etc. • Light Pollution Control Requirements
Material Resource Conservation & Efficiency • Construction Material Management • Construction Waste Management • Material Selection • Whole building Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) • 40% of materials shall be environmental • Lamps- low-mercury lamps • Building Envelope Moisture Control -envelope inspections
Energy Conservation • Modeled Performance Path -- based on zEPI calculation, COMNET • Performance based design to demonstrate ZEPI not more than 51 • Based on kBtu’s not energy cost “0” score = Net zero building. “100” score = Building with code-compliant energy consumption designed in 2000. Image from Architectural Energy Corporation, Net Zero for Commercial Buildings presentation
Energy Conservation • Energy Metering and Monitoring Requirements • Energy load isolation and smart metering • Sub-metering for non-residential projects > 50,000 SF • Does not apply to buildings where sub-metering is not allowed by local laws and regulations • Energy Display requirement is removed. • Metering requirements for: • HVAC/mechanical • Lighting • Plug loads • Process Loads (manufacturing/very large data centers or kitchens) • Miscellaneous (all others)
Energy Conservation • Auto Demand-Response (Auto-DR) Infrastructure -- HVAC • Required for buildings already implementing a Building Management System • Infrastructure is required but no obligation to implement Auto-DR • Building Envelope Systems – Insulation requirements during roof replacement
Energy Conservation • Building Mechanical Systems • Duct air leakage testing • Variable air volume (VAV) fan controls – above 5 HP • Exhaust air guidance – proper design and VAVs or heat recovery • HVAC controls in Group R-1 • Building Service Water Systems -- Water heating controls in dwelling units • Building Electrical Power and Lighting Systems • Sleeping unit lighting controls in hotels • Occupancy light reduction controls • Exterior lighting reductions-time switch for after hours • Automatic daylight controls • Plug load controls
Energy Conservation • Appliances and Equipment • Standby mode for elevators • Variable speed escalators • 50% of commercial food service equipment to be Energy Star • Variable speed and shut off provisions for conveyors • Renewable Energy Systems – Section stricken from model code (appendix A) • Energy Systems Commissioning -- removed the post-occupancy requirements from the model code
Water Resource Conservation • Fixtures, Fittings, Equipment and Appliances • Guidance for flow rates and reduced consumption • Energy Star requirements for appliances • Efficiency guidance for water-powered pumps, vehicle washing facilities • HVAC Systems and Equipment • Prohibition of once-through cooling • Guidance for cooling towers • Water Treatment Devices and Equipment • Water softener and reverse osmosis efficiency guidance • Onsite reclaimed water treatment systems guidance
Water Resource Conservation • Metering -- Guidance for water metering and submetering • Nonpotable Water Requirements -- stricken, wasn’t seen as necessary • Rainwater Collection and Distribution -- moved to Plumbing Code • Gray Water Systems – stricken due to guidance in Plumbing Code • Reclaimed Water Systems -- stricken (not available in DC)
Indoor Environmental Quality • Building Construction Features -- Guidance for air handling and filter access • HVAC Systems -- Guidance for construction phase and post-construction air filtration • Specific IAQ Control – Stricken, requirement for IAQ testing thought to be too much • Material Emissions and Pollutant Control • Guidance for formaldehyde limits on composite wood products • Guidance for VOC emission limits for flooring, ceiling tiles/walls, and insulation • Acoustics -- Section stricken (poorly worded and being covered elsewhere in code) • Daylighting-- Daylighting section was revised and moved to Appendix A
Commissioning, O&M • Scope • Commissioning for all projects, except for alterations less than 50,000 sf • Altered the commissioning plan -- focus on “active” systems • Approved Agency -- Guidance on “approved agencies” for commissioning • Commissioning -- Commissioning records and reporting to be provided to the owner, and made available to the code official upon request • Building Operations and Maintenance – section stricken from code
Electives– Appendix A • Site Project Electives-examples • Wildlife Corridor • Infill Site • Brownfield Site • Site Restoration • Mixed-use Development • Changing and Shower Facilities • Long-term Bicycle Storage and Parking • Heat Island Mitigation • Site Hardscape (2 electives) • Green Roof Coverage (3 electives) • Native Plant Landscaping (2 electives)
Green Building Program Manual • Broken down into typical project phases: • Design • Permitting • Inspections • Certificate of Occupancy • Post Occupancy • Includes Sectional Reference Guide and Submittal Templates to streamline process
Green Building Program Manual • Guidance on the implementation and enforcement • Green Construction Code • Energy Conservation Code • Green Building Act • Reference associated District regulations (Roadmap) • Guidance on Green Code alternative compliance paths • LEED • ASHRAE 189.1 • ICC 700 • Enterprise Green Communities
Design Phase • Preliminary Design Review Meetings • Green Review included • Green Review (upon request)
2013 DC Energy Conservation Code • 2012 International Energy Conservation Code, Amended • Significantly more energy efficient than the 2006 DC Energy Conservation Code • Code as two separate divisions • Commercial Buildings • Residential Buildings
Additional Green Requirements/Incentives (Roadmap) • Anacostia Waterfront Development Zone • Stormwater management • Groundwater • Lead-paint and asbestos work practices • Use of volatile organic compounds (VOC) • Energy Benchmarking • Green Area Ratio • RiverSmart Homes/Communities • DCSEU
Permitting Process • Green and Energy reviews are integrated into the standard permit application and review process • Updated online permit application • Project will be assigned a Green Review depending on applicability • No Third Party green plan review • All projects will be reviewed for Energy Conservation Code compliance • List of required documents for each Green and Energy Review by permit type and compliance path
Permitting Process • Construction documents with sufficient detail and clarity to show compliance with Energy Code: • Mechanical Equipment Efficiency and Sizing • Duct sealing • Air Sealing Details • Envelope/Insulation values • Fenestration U-factors and SHGC
Submittals (Building Permit) • Green Building Act • ENERGY STAR Target Finder Score • Financial Security Understanding, if applicable • Compliance Path Selection and Documentation • LEED • Enterprise Green Communities • Green Code • Alternative Pathways (ASHRAE 189.1, LEED, Green Communities, ICC 700) • Raze and Site Work Permit
Building Inspections • Green and Energy Inspections integrated into the inspection process, will occur simultaneously with other required inspections • All projects required to use third party to complete performance testing: • Commissioning, Air Leakage Tests, Duct Leakage Tests • No Green Third Party Inspections
Certificate of Occupancy • Green Code requires a number verifications prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy • First CofO for a floor above grade plane in projects where there are multiple certificates of occupancy • If project must meet post-occupancy requirements, a CofO will not be granted unless the code official determines that the project is on track to be verified in accordance with the path selected
Certificate of Occupancy • GBA: Financial Security prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy by one of four methods: • Cash • Irrevocable letter of Credit • Bond • Binding Pledge
Post Occupancy • Green Building Act and Green Construction Code allow for verification after a building is occupied for some of the green building requirements • Due dates vary : • Pay close attention to when your documentation is due to avoid any issues and/or fines • If using a third party verification system be sure to familiarize yourself with the deadlines for those programs to ensure your project remains eligible
Sectional Reference Guide • Section Summary • A detailed summary of each code section that gives additional guidance, considerations, design details, and other resources that will help building professionals develop a deeper understanding of the code section, connect the dots to larger green building topics, and “read between the lines” of the specific code section. • Rationale, Benefits and Intention • A summary that states the importance of the section and why it is included in the green or energy code
Sectional Reference Guide • Best Practices • A list and description of industry best practices that are used to implement and meet the requirements of each code section, specific to the District’s climate zone • Innovations • A list of innovative techniques, products, and/or methods that are being used to successfully implement each code section • Timeline • Guidance on when in the construction timeline the section should ideally be considered and addressed by the project team
Sectional Reference Guide • Resources • A list and description of critical journals, supplementary codes, web resources, books, and other resources that can be used for additional guidance when applying the green and energy codes • Related Codes and Referenced Standards • A list of references to related ICC codes, other codes, and/or other referenced standards in each section. • Additionally, lists of all pre-approved agencies, processes, sources, standards and other references throughout the Green Construction and Energy Conservation Codes that site an “approved” alternative to the stated code language.
Questions? • Dave Epley • Green Building and Sustainability Coordinator • Department of Consumer and Regulator Affairs • Green.building@dc.gov • Fulya Kocak • Director of Sustainable Solutions, • Clark Construction Group • Fulya.kocak@clarkconstruction.com • Patrick Kunze • Senior Principal • GHT Limited • Pkunze@ghtltd.com