flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Proposed change to IECC process irks efficiency advocates

Codes and Standards

Proposed change to IECC process irks efficiency advocates

New procedure would diminish influence of local code officials.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | January 13, 2021

Courtesy Pixabay

The International Code Council’s (ICC’s) plan to alter how it develops the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) has raised the ire of those pushing for more stringent efficiency measures.

The council has proposed rules changes that would make the code-making process less open, with development done by a committee without input from local government building officials, according to published reports. According to Mike Collignon, executive director and co-founder of the Green Builder Coalition, local officials were not informed of the possibility that their voice in future code development “might be stripped from them,” when the ICC recently proposed the changes.

The changes were proposed after ICC representatives from the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) objected to some efficiency measures during deliberations over the latest version on the IECC. NAHB’s appeals led to stripping out provisions to require that new homes go all-electric and be EV-ready—provisions supported by the majority of IECC voters.

The ICC is seeking members’ and stakeholders’ feedback on the proposed code development reforms through Jan. 11. The IECC is in use or has been adopted by 47 states.

Related Stories

Codes and Standards | Oct 27, 2022

Florida’s Surfside-inspired safety law puts pressure on condo associations

A Florida law intended to prevent tragedies like the Surfside condominium collapse will place a huge financial burden on condo associations and strain architecture and engineering resources in the state.

Codes and Standards | Oct 26, 2022

‘Landmark study’ offers key recommendations for design-build delivery

The ACEC Research Institute and the University of Colorado Boulder released what the White House called a “landmark study” on the design-build delivery method.

Data Centers | Oct 25, 2022

Virginia county moves to restrict the growth of new server farms

Loudoun County, Va., home to the largest data center cluster in the world known as Data Center Alley, recently took steps to prohibit the growth of new server farms in certain parts of the county.

Transportation & Parking Facilities | Oct 20, 2022

How to comply with NYC Local Law 126 parking garage inspection rules

Effective January 1, 2022, New York City requires garage owners to retain a specially designated professional engineer to conduct an assessment and file a report at least once every six years. Hoffmann Architects + Engineers offers tips and best practices on how to comply with NYC Local Law 126 parking garage inspection rules. 

Mixed-Use | Oct 20, 2022

ROI on resilient multifamily construction can be as high as 72%

A new study that measured the economic value of using FORTIFIED Multifamily, a voluntary beyond-code construction and re-roofing method developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), found the return can be as high as 72%.

Building Team | Oct 18, 2022

Brasfield & Gorrie chairman’s home vandalized by anti-development activists

Activists vandalized the home and vehicles of Miller Gorrie, chairman of Birmingham-based Brasfield & Gorrie, in protest of a planned $90 million, 85-acre police, fire and public safety training center in Atlanta.

Codes and Standards | Oct 17, 2022

Ambitious state EV adoption goals put pressure on multifamily owners to provide chargers

California’s recently announced ban on the sale of new gas-powered vehicles starting in 2035—and New York’s recent decision to follow suit—are putting pressure on multifamily property owners to install charging stations for tenants.

| Oct 13, 2022

Boston’s proposed net-zero emissions code has developers concerned

Developers have raised serious concerns over a proposed new energy code by the City of Boston that would require newly constructed buildings over 20,000 sf to immediately hit net-zero emissions goals.

Building Team | Oct 12, 2022

Real estate development practices worsened impact of Hurricane Ian

A century ago, the southwest Florida coast was mostly swamps and shoals, prone to frequent flooding and almost impossible to navigate by boat.

Standards | Oct 11, 2022

Peter Templeton named new USGBC and GBCI president and CEO

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) appointed Peter Templeton as president and CEO.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021