Building codes encourage energy conservation and efficiency
As communities look for ways to address energy concerns, energy codes are a useful means of enacting energy efficient practices and the adoption of energy-saving products. Energy codes are often adopted in addition to a community’s building codes. Codes are a set of rules that say how to build and that indicate the materials that can be used to secure uniformity and protect the public interest in such matters as building construction, public health, safety, and welfare. A local, public agency commonly has legal authority to enforce the adopted codes in a particular jurisdiction.
How building codes work
There are federal requirements that must be considered in the design or construction of buildings. These include the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1988. All other requirements are either from state or local jurisdictions. Each state has a separate and distinct way of promulgating and adopting codes.
Many states pass codes to be enforced statewide, while other states allow local communities to decide whether to adopt codes. In recent years, the International Codes Series of building codes, also know as I-codes, now serve as the basic model codes in almost every state. While these codes may be adopted in various communities, the code sections are subject to interpretation by local authorities as they are applied to specific projects. The local authority also decides which codes and standards are to be enforced and which agency is responsible for their enforcement. Even with the growing prevalence of these International Codes, many jurisdictions continue to use other existing model codes and historical or self-developed code language.
International Residential Code (IRC)
The International Residential Code was first published in 2000, and deals specifically with single family residential structures and duplexes. This code book is maintained, revised, and updated by the International Code Council, a membership-based nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, DC. While states, counties, or local communities may adopt particular sections from the International Residential Code, they are free to make modifications to the codes as they are used in their various jurisdictions. The International Building Code (IBC) is the code that is used for larger residential buildings such as multifamily apartment and commercial buildings.
There are also other companion codes that can be adopted. These include, but are not limited to, International Fire Code (IFC), International Existing Building Code (IEBC), International Property Management Code (IPMC), International Plumbing Code (IPC), and others. Jurisdictions can adopt none, one, or more.
International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
One of these companion codes that is available for communities to adopt is the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). Of course, communities can write their own codes, but the IECC provides for more uniformity. The intent of the IECC is to regulate and promote the effective use of energy in new buildings. There is a Residential Building section and a Commercial Building section to the code. There are two different approaches to following the code. The first is "prescriptive design," which has a cookbook approach. With the prescriptive design there are requirements listed that must be utilized to ensure a structure is built to code. The second is a "performance design," which works by simulating performance for a specific structure, usually by computer modeling programs such as the U.S. Department of Energy's REScheck™ software. The performance design allows for more flexibility in home design. A structure can have lower levels in energy performance in one area but higher levels in another to make up the difference. The second is the most accurate means of reaching the highest level of energy efficiency. However, the first approach would at least assure all structures reach a general level of energy efficiency.
The International Code Council has information for you to find out which codes have been adopted in your community.
