>>DOE Issues Additional Building Energy Code Energy & Cost Analysis on 2015 IECC
Source: energycodes.gov

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Building Energy Codes Program has released two reports surrounding the national energy and cost impacts associated with the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC): 

-- National Cost-effectiveness of the Residential Provisions of the 2015 IECC

-- Energy & Energy Cost Savings of the 2015 IECC for Commercial Buildings

In both cases, the underlying analysis was conducted and published by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). 

 

The PNNL report, National Cost-effectiveness of the Residential Provisions of the 2015 IECC, evaluates changes in the code based on the DOE methodology for assessing energy & cost impacts 

 

The PNNL report, Energy & Energy Cost Savings Analysis of the 2015 IECC for Commercial Buildings, assesses whether buildings constructed to meet the 2015 IECC would save energy compared to the previous editions.   

 

>>ICC, ASHRAE Outline Roles to Consolidate IgCC and 189.1 in Response to Call from Industry
Source: ashrae.org
In a deal nearly two years in the making, the International Code Council (ICC) and ASHRAE have signed the final agreement that outlines each organization’s role in the development and maintenance of the new version of the International Green Construction Code (IgCC) sponsored by the American Institute of Architects (AIA), ASHRAE, ICC, the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The code, scheduled to be released in 2018, will be powered by ANSI/ASHRAE/ICC/IES/USGBC Standard 189.1, Standard for the Design of High-Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildingsdeveloped using the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved ASHRAE consensus process. The joint Standing Standards Project Committee 189.1 (SSPC) will serve as the consensus body that will work to ensure the standard is consistent and coordinated with the ICC Family of Codes. 

DOE has updated its original California-specific requirements for the program, with the release of DOE Zero Energy Ready Home California Requirements – Revision 5, which goes into effect for homes permitted after August 10, 2015. Revision 5 for California adds numerous clarifications which have also been added to the national Rev.05 specifications. The CA spec revision also offers more flexibility in terms of air tightness requirements (attached dwellings have a higher ACH50 spec), and alignment with upcoming Title 24 provisions such as the High Performance Attic (HPA) design strategy as a method for optimizing the duct system (see End Note 15 H).

 

 

Source: osha.org
On May 4, 2015, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a new standard for construction work in confined spaces, which will be effective starting August 3, 2015. Confined spaces can present physical and atmospheric hazards that can be avoided if they are recognized and addressed prior to entering these spaces to perform work. The new standard, Subpart AA of 29 CFR 1926 will help prevent construction workers from being hurt or killed by eliminating and isolating hazards in confined spaces at construction sites similar to the way workers in other industries are already protected. 

Frequently asked questions about the new standard are addressed on OSHA's website.

SPFA's Richard Duncan sheds some light on the topic in the Health & Safety section of this newsletter. 

NAHB.org posts a summary of the new standard.

Dean McKenzie, deputy director of OSHA's Directorate of Construction, discusses the new standard at the 2015 Remodeling Leadership Conference.

ForResidentialPros.com provides a short summary of the new standard.

BPI.org provides some guidance on being compliant. 

 

For compliance assistance regarding application of the final rule contact: Directorate of Construction, Room N3468, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210; (202)-693-2020.