SPF-Related Codes & Standards

ASHRAE Publishes 2013 Version of Thermal Comfort Standard 
Source: ashrae.org
Major revisions for design and measurement of comfortable spaces are included in a newly published 2013 standard from ASHRAE. ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55-2013, Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy, combines the 2010 standard and 18 published addenda into a consolidated standard. The core of the standard in Sections 4 and 5 specifies methods to determine thermal environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, air speed and radiant effects) in buildings and other spaces that a significant proportion of the occupants will find acceptable at a certain metabolic rate and clothing level. Section 7 of the standard includes new requirements for the measurement and evaluation of existing thermal environments and is also applicable to commissioning.

Spray Polyurethane Foam Design Guidance: Insulation and Air Barrier Requirements of the 2012 I-Codes
Source: americanchemistry.com
This guidance document, developed by the Spray Foam Coalition and the Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing, 
provides building designers with easy-to-use information about spray polyurethane foam (SPF) for use as wall and roof insulation and as an air barrier. Air barrier information and R-value requirements for commercial and residential buildings complying with the 2012 IECC and 2012 IgCC are provided. (booklet version)
 
Hear more about CEIR Updates from James R. Kirby AIA, at the SprayFoam Convention & Expo, Jan. 28, 11:15 a.m.-noon.
 
 
>>buildingSMART alliance Symposium Provides the Basics of BIM, Identifies Value of Standards
Source: nibs.org
The buildingSMART alliance™ (bSa) Symposium – Improving Life-Cycle Performance with BIM (building information modeling) will take place January 9, as part of Building Innovation 2014: the National Institute of Building Sciences Conference and Expo. The Symposium will start by addressing the basic benefits of leveraging information and work, and then move through the opportunities of standardizing international open standards for collecting and accessing that information. Attendees will gain a basic understanding of what standards are currently in place and how to access international guidelines and best practices. 
 
>>The Building Codes Assistance Project Updates on Building Energy Codes
Source: energycodesocean.org
BCAP Newsletters are quarterly summaries of what's been happening at the Building Codes Assistance Project and building energy code progress around the nation.  To access the full archive, click here. Here are some of the recent alerts from the BCAP Code Alerts released released weekly by the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP) and its website, the Online Code Environment & Advocacy Network (OCEAN). Code Alert Bulletins are designed to share information and support timely participation in state and local activities related to the adoption and implementation of building energy codes. The bulletins highlight immediate opportunities to influence state and local policy outcomes, indicate code status, and recommend contacts for action. If you know of activity that should be on this bulletin or would like to sign up for this bulletin, contact Matt Kerns at (202) 530-2252 or mkerns@ase.org. Some details included in the most recent BCAP Newsletter include:
 
California - Energy Commission Pushes Back Effective Date for 2013 BEES
Delaware - Public Comment Hearing on State Energy Code - Jan. 6
Las Vegas - Regulation Hearing Considering the 2012 Building Codes, Including the 2012 IECC - Jan. 14 
Nebraska - Collaborative Hosting Meeting to Explore Utility Support for Code Compliance
New Jersey - Bill Provides Priority for Green Building Practices: LEED, Energy Star, Green Globes, NGBS
Blog Post of the Week - Understanding the Challenges with Existing Buildings