1 - The IGCC is totally unnecessary - It's a stretch to the meaning of "construction / building codes"

As a follow-up to my previous blog “The IGCC is totally unnecessary…there, I said it!” - I’ve continued with elaboration on my first point (stated in the blog title)…if you’ve never read the International Green Construction Code (IGCC), I hope the following information will be an eye-opener, and you’ll spend time reviewing the nuts and bolts of the IGCC…

As lawbrain.com states:

“Building codes have been used by governmental units for centuries to ensure that buildings remain safe and sanitary. Early settlements in the United States drafted codes for such purposes as restrictions on the use of wooden chimneys to prevent fire. The early codes were usually only a few sentences in length, specifying narrow restrictions in construction.
“The current “building code” is a series of codes…simplicity is not a component of the code; however, the intent is still to provide adequate ventilation, proper egress, and safety“
In other words: the purpose of the “building code” is to promote welfare (adequate ventilation), safety (proper egress), and health (safety - in case of fire from fumes, etc.)…

Now, the ICBO wants to add “sustainability” to the intent of the “building code” (101.3, 102.4.2) – stretching the original purpose of health, safety, and welfare to include, among other items:

· Carbon Dioxide Equivalent Emissions (104),
· Global Warming Potential (GWP) of specific gases (104),
· Automated Demand Response (for utility-company power-downs within the facility) (Auto-DR) (104),
· Zero Energy Performance Index (104),
· Inventory and assessment of “natural resources and baseline conditions” of the building site (402.3.1),
· Use and abuse of potable water (402.3.*) for irrigation systems,
· Required use of “reclaimed or collected rainwater” for ornamental fountains and water features (402.3.4),
· Submission of a Soil and water quality protection plan (402.3.5.1)(406.6),
· Limitations on “turfgrass” planting on the project site (402.3.5.7),
· Submission of a building site waste management plan – toward recycling or salvaging 75+% of site soils, “rocks, trees, stumps, and associated vegetation” (402.3.6),
· Requirement for showering and changing facilities (if long-term bicycle parking is required in 403.3) (403.2),
· Requirement for long term and short term bicycle parking (chart of compliance requirements included in IGCC (403.3),
· Requirement and preference for “high-occupancy vehicle parking” (403.4.1),
· Requirement and preference for “low-emission, hybrid, and electric vehicle parking” (403.4.2),
· Submission of 10-year canopy growth of all planted trees, and canopy-contribution of existing trees – including shading calculations (404.2.3),
· Requirement for light pollution control (405.1),
· Written periodic maintenance protocol for all landscaping and stormwater management systems (406.6(3)),
· Building material design-life (503.2),
· Submission of a building-service-life-plan (505),
· Moisture control preventative measures – inspected by an “approved agency” (506.3),
· Zero-energy performance index compliance (602.1),
· Building energy simulation assignment to the “design professional” (603.5),
· Energy metering-monitoring-reporting (604),
· Offsite control of HVAC and lighting through Auto-DR interface (605.1,605.3,605.4),
· Requirement for rough-ins for “future” solar-hot-water systems (608.4),
· Plug load controls (609.6),
· Energy-star appliance listing (by owner) and reporting (by owner)(610.3.1),
· Minimum energy-star appliance requirement – by percentage of total “appliances” (610.3.2),
· On-site renewable power requirements – physical devices (611),
· Requirement for post-occupancy re-commissioning-repeated 18-24 months after issuance of the C of O (612.3.5),
· Building envelope commissioning prior to issuance of the C of O (612.4),
· Requirement for an indoor air quality management plan (during construction) (801.2),
· Requirement for indoor air quality testing (after construction) – flush-out or IAQ-testing (804.3),
· Entry mats required (804.4),
· Emission limits for “glued wood products” – interior and exterior (part of the “weather covering”) (806.1),
· Acoustics and acoustic submissions (interior and exterior) (807.1-.5),
· Acoustics verification and testing (post construction) demonstrating compliance with the acoustic sections (807.5),
· Floor-plate manipulation (to enable the required percentage of interior day-lighting) (808.3),
· O & M documentation, maintenance, and education (904.1-904.4), and
· Energy reporting / audits (904.1.1)(1003.3.1)

Sorry, but none of the above items belongs in a “construction / building code”…those provisions (as many now are) belong in development / zoning / restrictive regulations and ordinances…trying to codify the components of the LEED+ rating system may seem noble, but it was not, and is not, the intent of the building code…

So there you have it…no emotion, “just the facts, ma’am”…tell me I’m wrong, but support your contention with specifics…I’m happy to listen…

Next time: 2 - The IGCC is totally unnecessary - It costs architects in fees…

BTW: the numbers in parenthesis refer to specific paragraphs in the IGCC… LEED is a trademark of the U. S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system.