David Walls, Executive Director of Sustainability Programs for the International Code Council, joined GreenExpo365 for a live, free webinar. He walked us through the International Green Construction Code and how it impacts the building industry. You can see the entire presentation (and get AIA/CEU credits by watching it) in the GreenExpo365.com Auditorium (www.greenexpo365.com/education)

1. International Green
Construction Code
2012

2. Overview of the International Green
Construction Code (IgCC)
GreenExpo365
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Dave Walls
International Code Council
Internal document confidential information for ICC

3. International Green Construction
Code
Overview of the development and
schedule of the International Green
Construction Code (IgCC)
Highlights of the Code provisions
Where the IgCC has been adopted
Internal document confidential information for ICC

4. What is the IgCC?
 An Adoptable, Useable and
Enforceable code
 Intended to reduce the
negative impacts of the built
environment on the natural
environment
 Addresses
 Conservation of:
 Natural resources
 Materials
 Energy
 Water
 Air & indoor environmental
quality
 Owner education
April 29, 2011

5. IgCC Context
 The IgCC is not a rating system,
nor is it intended to replace them.
 The IgCC is code which is
intended to be adopted on a
mandatory basis.
 Unlike most rating systems, the
IgCC primarily consists of
minimum mandatory
requirements, just as other I-
Codes.
April 29, 2011

6. Scope and Intent
 Consistent and coordinated with the ICC
family of Codes & Standards
 Applicable to the construction of
 New and existing buildings
 All buildings other than residential
buildings under the scope of the IRC,
excluding
 R-3 occupancies
 R-2 & R-4: 3 stories in height or less
 Intended to be enforced primarily by
building officials – a system already in
place nation wide
 Intended to drive green building into
everyday practice

7. Our Partners

8. IgCC Development Schedule

9. Key Features
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10. Concepts
 Uses “model” code approach that
provides communities the ability to
modify.
 Minimum & advanced levels of
performance (green & high-
performance buildings).
 Works as an overlay to the ICC
Family of Codes. References other
I-Codes
 IBC, IFGC, IMC, IPC, IPMC, IFC,
IWUIC, ICCPC, IEBC, IZC, IECC.
August 3, 2011

11. Concepts
 Written in mandatory language
that provides a new regulatory
framework.
 Provides both performance &
prescriptive options.
 Code can be modified to account
for local conditions.
 Addresses the 2030 Challenge.
 Designed with local, state &
federal law in mind.
August 3, 2011

12. Concepts
 ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES Standard 189.1 also is
offered as a compliance option.
 The Standard is included with the IgCC.
 Providing the IgCC, with or without the189.1
option, allows the widest set of options to a
jurisdiction, all under the umbrella of the IgCC.
August 3, 2011

13. Chapter Topics
 Energy use conservation/efficiency
(IECC baseline).
 Water use conservation/efficiency.
 Indoor environmental quality.
 Materials and resource conservation.
 Jurisdictional Requirements
--customization options beyond base (22
choices); includes
ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES Standard 189.1.
 Project Electives (52 project electives) –
designer choice.
 Site development & land use.
 Existing buildings & sites.
 Commissioning, Operation & Maintenance.
 Administration, Definitions, Referenced
Standards.
August 3, 2011

14. Framework
Internal document confidential information for ICC

15. Chapter 3
 Chapter 3/Appendix A is unique in that it allows
the jurisdiction to customize the document to a
limited degree.
 Focus is on adoptability through flexibility of the
document to coordinate with the local
jurisdictions environmental goals and specific
regional geography.
 Four (4) major components of Ch 3/Appendix A:
1. Jurisdictional Requirements.
2. Option to adopt ASHRAE Standard 189.1
(Replaces IgCC Except Chapter 1)
3. Project Electives

16.  IgCC Table 302.1 allows
regional choices, similar in
concept to Table R302.1(1) in
the IRC.
 Allows jurisdictions to make
Table 302.1 choices for higher levels of
stringency by:
 Determining whether certain
Jurisdictional provisions will be enforced in the
jurisdiction. (Typically yes or no
Requirements answers.)
 Decisions made in the Table
22 Choices affecting apply to all buildings
Chapters 4 through 10 constructed in the jurisdiction.
 Many of the choices in Table
302.1 may pose risks for certain
jurisdictions. (Thus they may pose a
barrier to adoption in some regions and are
not mandatory for all jurisdictions.)

17.  Allows owners and design
professionals to make
choices which:
 Encourage and drive the
construction of buildings
which exceed the already
Table 303.1 stringent minimum
requirements of the code.
 Encourage practices which
Project Electives are difficult to mandate.
 Adds a degree of flexibility
52 Electives affecting to the code.
Chapters 4 through 8  Jurisdiction determines
minimum number that must
be satisfied in Table 302.1.
 Owner chooses which
electives will be complied
with on a project by project
basis.

18.  Even where adopted in its
Chapter 3 baseline/minimum form
(where no project electives
are selected and only “No”
Jurisdictional boxes checked), the IgCC is
Requirements poised to produce
significant environmental
& Project benefits.
Electives  No longer must mandatory
green building
requirements be limited to
Jurisdictional government buildings.
Requirements
Project Electives

19. IgCC Chapter 4: Site Development and Land Use
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20.  Preservation of Natural
Resources
 Protection by area: e.g.
floodplains, conservation areas,
park lands, agricultural lands,
Chapter 4 greenfields.
 Site design and development
Site Development requirements:
 Pre-design site inventory and
and Land Use assessment
 Stormwater management,
 Landscape irrigation systems,
 Management of vegetation and
soils
 Erosion control
 Site waste management plan.

21.  Transportation impact.
 Walkways and bicycle paths
 Changing and shower facilities
 Bicycle parking and storage
 Vehicle parking
 Heat island mitigation.
Chapter 4  Site hardscape
 Roof coverings
Site Development
 Light pollution mitigation.
& Land Use  Detailed site development requirements.
 Subsurface graywater irrigation systems
 Vegetation and soil protection
 Soil reuse and restoration
 Landscape, soil and water quality protection plan
 Vegetative roofs
 Site & land use project electives.

22. IgCC Chapter 5:
Material Resource Conservation and Efficiency
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23.  Material and Waste Management
 Waste management plan for
construction phase
 Post occupancy recycling areas
Chapter 5 must be shown on plans.
 Materials and their properties.
 55% of materials used in every
Material project must be any
Resource combination of the following
Conservation and  Used,
 Recycled,
Efficiency  Recyclable,
 Bio-based or
 Indigenous.

24.  Lamps: Limits mercury content in
lamps
 Now moved to Project Electives
Appendix – no longer a
requirement. Service Life:
Chapter 5 Building service life plan to be
included in construction
documents. Not less than 25 years.
Material
 Storage and handling of
Resource materials.
Conservation and  Moisture Control: Requires
Efficiency specific inspection of foundation
drainage systems, damproofing
and waterproofing, flashings and
roof coverings.
 Material related project
electives.

25. IgCC Chapter 6:
Energy Conservation, Efficiency & Atmospheric
Quality
Internal document confidential information for ICC

26. Buildings > 25,000 sq. ft. may
use either of the following
compliance paths:
 Zero Energy Performance Index
(zEPI) path – a performance path.
 Outcome-based (Annual Net
Energy Performance: Btu/sq. ft.)
Chapter 6
Buildings < 25,000 sq. ft. may
use any the following paths:
Energy  Performance based path
Conservation,  Prescriptive based path
Energy Use Intensity (EUI) path
Efficiency and

 Must be in top 10% of EPA’s
Atmospheric Target Finder Program
Quality  Outcome based path

27. Major section topics:
 Energy performance and
peak power.
Chapter 6  Atmospheric impacts –
reduced CO2e
emissions.
Energy
 Metering, monitoring
Conservation, and reporting.
Efficiency and  Auto-Demand/Response
Atmospheric strategies.
Quality  Building envelope
systems.

28. Major section topics
(cont.):
 Mechanical and Svc
Chapter 6 Water Heating systems
 Electrical power and
Energy lighting
Conservation,  Appliances and
equipment
Efficiency and  Renewable energy.
Atmospheric  Commissioning and
Quality maintenance.
 Energy related project
electives.

29. IgCC Chapter 7:
Water Resource Conservation and Efficiency
Internal document confidential information for ICC

30. Ch 7 major section
topics:
 Plumbing systems and
conservation
Chapter 7
measures.
Water Resource  Landscaping and
Conservation & irrigation – addressed
Efficiency in Chapter 4.
 Specific
water savings
measures.
 Useof grey water, rain
collection and storage.

31. Ch 7 major section
topics (cont.):
 Fixtures,
fittings,
equipment & appliances
Chapter 7  HVAC systems and
equipment efficiency
Water Resource  Water treatment system
Conservation & efficiency
Efficiency  Specific
topics (e.g.
Submetering, fountains)
 Nonpotable water use
 Alternative water sources

32. IgCC Chapter 8:
Interior Environmental Quality and Comfort
Internal document confidential information for ICC

33. Chapter 8 major section
topics:
 Building construction features,
operations & maintenance
 HVAC system requirements
Chapter 8
 Construction phase emissions and
pollution control, HVAC flush out
Indoor  Asbestos use prevention
Environmental  Material emissions & pollutant
Quality control
 IAQ measures
 Views to exterior and day-lighting

34. IgCC Chapter 9:
Commissioning, Operation & Maintenance
Internal document confidential information for ICC

35. Chapter 9 major topics:
 Commissioning (inspections
and testing, pre or post-
occupancy) required as
Chapter 9 listed in Table 903.1.
 Post occupancy reporting
Commissioning, required where selected by
the jurisdiction in Table
Operation & 302.1. (904.1.1.1)
Maintenance

36. Modeled after
 Special inspections criteria in
Section 902 Chapter 17 of the IBC and
Approved Agency  Commissioning criteria found
in the IECC
and
Section 903 Table 903.1 – Commissioning
Commissioning Plan
 List of items for which
commissioning is required
 Contains columns which
distinguish between pre-
occupancy and post-
occupancy commissioning
 Commissioning requirements
extend well beyond the
energy realm, including site,
materials, water, etc.

37. IgCC Chapter 10: Existing Buildings
Internal document confidential information for ICC

38.  Loosely based on the
provisions of the IBC for
existing buildings:
 For alterations/renovations:
whatever is changed must
meet current IgCC
requirements.
 Unaltered components can
remain as they are.
Chapter 10  Additions are treated much
like new construction:
applicable requirements of
Existing the IgCC must be satisfied.
Buildings  Section 1002.1: Prohibits the
construction of additions to
buildings in flood hazard areas.
 Exception: where all
habitable space is located at
least 1 foot above flood
elevation.

39.  Alterations to Existing
Buildings:
 Basic prescriptive
requirements addressing:
 Leaks
 Defective equipment
Chapter 10 and systems
 Extensive prescriptive list
limited to 10% of the cost
Existing of alterations.
Buildings  Triggered by any change
of occupancy or
alteration.

40. Where has the IgCC been adopted?
State of Rhode Island
State of Maryland
State of Oregon
City of Richland, WA
City of Keene, NH
City of Ft. Collins, CO
Kayenta Township, AZ
City of Boynton Beach, FL
City of Phoenix, AZ
City of Scottsdale, AZ
Internal document confidential information for ICC

41. For more information and updates
check the ICC website
www.iccsafe.org/igcc