By Robyn Aitken
Washington, D.C.-based National Association of Home Builders and International Code Council announced they will partner and undertake the development and publication of a residential green building standard.
The announcement was made Feb.7 at the 2007 International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla.
Both groups are considered influential organizations in the home building industry and the code development and enforcement community. Their collaboration seeks to bring uniformity to sustainable building practices.
NAHB has long recognized many of its members are leaders and innovators in building green homes, but these efforts were local and without any regional or national reference.
Recognizing this need, NAHB published a set of Model Green Home Building Guidelines in 2005, which have now become a nationally recognized green building certification tool. These guidelines form the basis of more than 15 state and local green building programs around the country.
The new set of guidelines is expected to incorporate additional regional distinctions.
ICC has also been promoting green building requirements through its widely adopted family of International Codes, which set minimum standards for energy efficiency and sustainable building practices for the construction industry. ICC also recognized a need for a national set of standards for home builders and others wishing to voluntarily adopt “above-code” practices.
“Strong, durable homes that are safe and affordable have a smaller impact on the world’s limited resources. ICC is committed to educating our members on green building and participating in activities with other organizations that will assure green building practices are sustainable, safe and affordable,” said Wally Bailey, president of the International Code Council.
NAHB president David Pressly added that, “NAHB members have proven that a voluntary, region-specific, flexible program can be both truly green and also allow for innovation. We believe in the Model Green Home Building Guidelines, and we believe that the end result will be a better document for the home building community.”
NAHB and the ICC are seeking applicants for membership in the consensus committee for the development for the green home building standard. Applications can be submitted at www.nahbrc.org/gbstandard and must be received by March 10, 2007 to be considered.
