April 29, 2014

Greening the District’s Building Codes

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

Learning Objectives

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

Goals of the New Codes

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?

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

Site Development & Land Use

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

Material Resource Conservation & Efficiency

Energy Conservation

Modeled Performance Path -- based on zEPI calculation, COMNETPerformance based design to demonstrate ZEPI not more than 51Based on kBtu’s not energy cost

Image from Architectural Energy Corporation, Net Zero for Commercial Buildings presentation

“0” score = Net zero building.

“100” score = Building with code-compliant energy consumption designed in 2000.

Energy Conservation

Energy Metering and Monitoring Requirements Energy load isolation and smart metering Sub-metering for non-residential projects > 50,000 SFDoes not apply to buildings where sub-metering is not allowed by local laws

and regulationsEnergy Display requirement is removed.

Metering requirements for: HVAC/mechanicalLightingPlug loadsProcess Loads (manufacturing/very large data centers or kitchens)Miscellaneous (all others)

Auto Demand-Response (Auto-DR) Infrastructure -- HVAC Required for buildings already implementing a Building

Management SystemInfrastructure 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 controlsPlug 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

Energy 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)

Water Resource Conservation

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 IntentionA summary that states the importance of the section and why it is included in the green or energy code

Sectional Reference Guide

Best PracticesA 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

InnovationsA list of innovative techniques, products, and/or methods that are being used to successfully implement each code section

TimelineGuidance on when in the construction timeline the section should ideally be considered and addressed by the project team

Sectional Reference Guide

ResourcesA 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 EpleyGreen Building and Sustainability CoordinatorDepartment of Consumer and Regulator AffairsGreen.building@dc.gov

Fulya KocakDirector of Sustainable Solutions,Clark Construction GroupFulya.kocak@clarkconstruction.com

Patrick KunzeSenior PrincipalGHT LimitedPkunze@ghtltd.com