SPF-Related Codes & Standards

Source: ashrae.org
When it comes to the how-to of measuring a building’s energy use, there is much to take into consideration. Are the measurements of a building’s area—used in the equation to derive energy use per square foot—to be taken from the exterior dimensions or to the centerline of the wall? Since they are normally unoccupied, are storage spaces to be included or not?

The newly revised ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 105-2014, Standard Methods of Determining, Expressing, and Comparing Building Energy Performance and Greenhouse Gas Emissions, supports commonality in reporting the energy performance of existing or proposed buildings to provide a consistent method of measuring, expressing and comparing the energy performance of buildings.
 
>>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)

>>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
 
>>Sample alert recently posted: 
ICC Code Book Survey
Alert Status: In order to make a case to DOE for funding to provide IECC or combo IECC/90.1 codebooks to code officials, ICC needs to hear about specific states or jurisdictions that would benefit from a free download program. Cases might include:

1. Jurisdictions with budget issues, that do not allow purchase for all code officials/inspectors; 
2. Jurisdictions that need copies to provide outreach to builders/contractors; 
3. Jurisdictions that are not moving ahead with adoption, due to the expense of books/training on the 2012 IECC. There may be other situations as well. 
 
Please send details on specific jurisdictions, including a name and contact info for someone in/at the jurisdiction, to dkarmol@iccsafe.org.

ICC requests that all information be sent by early April.

More Information:  ICC Shop | Free Resources from ICC
Action: Please submit information to Dave Karmol of ICC.
  
North Carolina
Alert Status: The North Carolina Building Code Council moved ALL North Carolina codes to a 6-year review cycle. The only code to be exempted from this change is the commercial electrical code.
 
Last year, North Carolina HB 120 passed which revised the North Carolina State Building Code: Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, including provisions applicable to One- and Two-Family Dwellings from the NC Energy Code, NC Electrical Code, NC Fuel Gas Code, NC Plumbing Code, and NC Mechanical Code to be reviewed every six years. Once adopted, the code is to become effective the first day of January of the following year, with at least six months between adoption and effective date. 

The first six-year revision under this subsection shall be adopted to become effective January 1, 2019, and every six years thereafter.

More Information: HB 120, North Carolina State Page
Action: For details contact Lauren Westmoreland of SEEA.