Californias New Green Building Code
madmadscientist
| Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on
You can read it here. http://www.documents.dgs.ca.gov/bsc/2009/part11_2008_calgreen_code.pdf Has anyone had a chance to check this out yet? Any thoughts on repercussions for the trades? I do think its funny the LEED guys are against it cause CalGreen is free and no one will pay for their expensive rating services now. News reports I’ve read have not really had any details on the code except to say that they expect a lot of other states-codes to adopt similar.
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I just read this section that seems to require onsite renewable energy production? Am I readign this right?
SECTION 511
RENEWABLE ENERGY
511.1 On-site renewable energy. Use on-site renewable
energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, low-impact
hydro, biomass and bio-gas for at least 1 percent of the electric
power calculated as the product of the building service voltage
and the amperage specified by the electrical service
overcurrent protection device rating or 1kW (whichever is
greater), in addition to the electrical demand required to meet 1
percent of the natural gas and propane use. The building project’s
electrical service overcurrent protection device rating
shall be calculated in accordance with the 2007 California
Electrical Code. Natural gas or propane use is calculated in
accordance with the 2007 California Plumbing Code.
It might be one of those trade off things where that is optional depending on what else you do. LEED is that way. You don't HAVE to do it to get the rating, but you do have a series of choices to make the grade so to speak. So reading one section out of context might make it look like a requirement if you know what I mean.
Looking at the 2008 code at http://www.documents.dgs.ca.gov/bsc/2009/part11_2008_calgreen_code.pdf, it looks like that is a voluntary measure, at least assuming the "CHAPTER 11
APPLICATION MATRICES AND WORKSHEETS" chart on the pdf page 67 of 89 (page "58" as printed on the pdf'd page) is applicable.
I believe (but am still not certain - see caveat below) it does apply, based on section 101.10:
"Mandatory requirements. This code contains both voluntary and mandatory green building measures. Mandatory and voluntary measures are identified in the appropriate application matrix contained in Chapter 11 of this code."
See page 14 of 89
Caveat/FWIW: this is a great example of how reading laws and regs can require digging in and figuring out the landscape before identifying the "plants."
Years ago, you simply had to read (almost" everything.
Now, you can use word search, but still have to be sure you've read enough -- thus, I've left my analysis at the "it appears/assuming" level of (un)certainty, because I haven't read enough to be comfortable there isn't some other provision which affects what applies and when....
Looks like they are quashing the multiple shower heads in the shower scam.
603.2.1 Multiple showerheads serving one shower. When
single shower fixtures are served by more than one showerhead,
the combined flow rate of all the showerheads shall
not exceed the maximum flow rates specified in the 20 percent
reduction column contained in Table 603.2, or the
shower shall be designed to only allow one showerhead to
be in operation at a time.
Interesting stuff for sure. Will like to get into it a bit.
Ya I admit I'm no expert in
Ya I admit I'm no expert in interpreting code language... I was hoping I could find online some sort of executive summary about it, like hey these are the really important take aways...but no joy so far.
It looks like chapter 11 is a good spot to distinguish mandatory from voluntary.
BTW: EPA has started a "WaterSense" (voluntary) certification program to encourage builders to incorporate water saving design and materials in new structures:
http://www.epa.gov/watersense/
http://www.epa.gov/watersense/spaces/new_homes.html
http://www.epa.gov/watersense/nhspecs/homes_final.html
and the specs at
http://www.epa.gov/watersense/docs/home_finalspec508.pdf
EPA claims: "WaterSense labeled new homes save about 10,000 gallons of water per year, or enough water to fill a backyard swimming pool."
Great post! I checked out, its really very interesting and useful stuff. I think its really good and very useful. It very helpful to improve public health, safety and general welfare by enhancing the design and construction of buildings through the use of building concepts having a positive environmental impact and encouraging sustainable construction practices. Thanks for sharing.