Check out what’s going on with building codes and standards in Illinois, Connecticut, and RESNET.
How many times have you heard people groan when the topic of codes or standards comes up? Admit it; you may have been the one doing the groaning.
The cool thing about codes (and you don’t get to say that phrase very often) is that you often have the ability to share your feedback, criticism or expertise. That’s what the public comment process is all about.
In that spirit of collaboration, the following list presents multiple opportunities for you to weigh in on codes or standards that could have a direct effect on your personal and/or professional life.
Illinois
The State’s most recent energy code went into effect earlier this year. However, since the update process took so long to complete, the next update cycle is almost upon us.
The public proposal period for the 2024 Illinois Energy Conservation Code (Base Code) has begun and will remain open until December 31, 2024. Additional information can be found on the 2024 Base Code Proposals page.
Connecticut
The Connecticut Code Amendment Subcommittee and Fire Prevention Code Advisory Committee have been preparing to adopt the 2025 Connecticut State Codes. They have been meeting twice a month since April 2024 to review the model code books, alongside the 2022 state code amendments and the public code change proposals received to determine the need for any changes to the Connecticut specific amendments.
The new codes will include the ICC 2024 model International Building Code, Existing Building Code, Energy Conservation Code, Mechanical Code, Plumbing Code, Residential Code, Fire Code, and Swimming Pool & Spa Code.
The committee began accepting Code Change Proposals (CCPs) on March 1, 2024 for the I-codes available at that time. Starting September 1, 2024, the committee also started accepting CCPs for the 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) and the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). The submission period will close on October 17, 2024.
RESNET has five standards currently out for review:
Addendum 78f: This looks to amend Chapter 6 of the RESNET® MINHERS® to eliminate the option of Sampled ratings for single family homes beginning January 1, 2025. An interim version, Addendum 78i, setting the January 1, 2025 sunset date has been adopted and is in effect. Public review and comment is being conducted for the second draft of the permanent version (Addendum 78f). The addenda implement RESNET’s policy that the RESNET HERS® will be maintained to be consistent with the US EPA EnergyStar program policy of not allowing sampling for single family homes beginning January 1, 2025.
Proposed standard ICC/RESNET 1450-202x: This proposal provides criteria for implementing Remote Virtual Inspections (RVI) in the evaluation of energy code compliance and in the evaluation and rating of the water-use and energy efficiency performance of buildings. It is intended to be used by code officials and their designee(s) and by home performance inspectors and raters when evaluating all aspects of construction for building energy and water conservation programs, laws and regulations. To review the 13-page proposed addendum, please click here to download the Word document. Finally, to file a public comment, or to view already-submitted comments, please click here. The deadline to submit comments is September 30, 2024.
Proposed standard RESNET/ACCA/ICC 310-202x: This proposal amends the 2020 edition of Standard 310, which is the Standard for Grading the Installation of HVAC Systems. This second edition of the Standard will include minor updates and changes identified during implementation of the first edition. To review the 54-page proposed addendum, please click here to download the Word document. Finally, to file a public comment, or to view already-submitted comments, please click here. The deadline to submit comments is September 30, 2024.
Addendum 75: This is a major and long overdue update to the MINHERS® Chapter 9 QA requirements for the RESNET® HERS®. An overview of the changes are as follows:
903.1.2 Ongoing Review of Rating Quality Assurance Provider QA Activities and Enhanced Quality Assurance REVIEWS Monitoring of QA Providers- multiple changes as the organization transitions to electronic submission of all records to the registry
All calculation formats match the most current version
All applicable review items match the most current version
All data fields are mapped correctly for transmission and storage to RESNET Buildings Registry
Multiple update to section 903. Procedures, cleaned up language, disciplinary actions and appeals process
904.3.2 HERS Rater Quality Assurance – requirement of the use of the RESNET QA checklist and the requirement of all records to be uploaded to the Registry.
904.3.3.3.5.1 “Remote QA” Procedures and eligibility -–large section of updated language for file and field QA
904.4 Rating Quality Assurance Provider responsibility accuracy of records and registry information
908.1 Ethics and Appeals Committee make-up of the committee Chair and membership
909 Ethics and Appeals Complaints – update to how the complaint is filed to how the complaint is investigated – multiple changes
910 Probation, Suspension, and Revocation of Accreditation of Providers – multiple changes and updates through this entire section
5. Proposed addendum RESNET/ICC 301-2022 Addendum D-202x: This proposed addendum updates Appendix A requirements for insulation installation grading. It changes the current Appendix A Grades I, II and III scheme to a “Properly Installed”, “Not Properly Installed” scheme and makes related changes to Appendix B and to the Definitions and Section 4 of Standard 301-2022. To review the 49-page proposed addendum, please click here to download the Word document. Finally, to file a public comment, or to view already-submitted comments, please click here. The deadline to submit comments is October 14, 2024.
Mike Collignon, author of our Code Watch and Housing 2.0 Program Manager, is Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Green Builder Coalition, a not-for-profit association dedicated to amplifying the voice of green builders and professionals to drive advocacy and education for more sustainable homebuilding practices.
Building Codes Worth a Comment
Check out what’s going on with building codes and standards in Illinois, Connecticut, and RESNET.
How many times have you heard people groan when the topic of codes or standards comes up? Admit it; you may have been the one doing the groaning.
The cool thing about codes (and you don’t get to say that phrase very often) is that you often have the ability to share your feedback, criticism or expertise. That’s what the public comment process is all about.
In that spirit of collaboration, the following list presents multiple opportunities for you to weigh in on codes or standards that could have a direct effect on your personal and/or professional life.
Illinois
The State’s most recent energy code went into effect earlier this year. However, since the update process took so long to complete, the next update cycle is almost upon us.
The public proposal period for the 2024 Illinois Energy Conservation Code (Base Code) has begun and will remain open until December 31, 2024. Additional information can be found on the 2024 Base Code Proposals page.
Connecticut
The Connecticut Code Amendment Subcommittee and Fire Prevention Code Advisory Committee have been preparing to adopt the 2025 Connecticut State Codes. They have been meeting twice a month since April 2024 to review the model code books, alongside the 2022 state code amendments and the public code change proposals received to determine the need for any changes to the Connecticut specific amendments.
The new codes will include the ICC 2024 model International Building Code, Existing Building Code, Energy Conservation Code, Mechanical Code, Plumbing Code, Residential Code, Fire Code, and Swimming Pool & Spa Code.
The committee began accepting Code Change Proposals (CCPs) on March 1, 2024 for the I-codes available at that time. Starting September 1, 2024, the committee also started accepting CCPs for the 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) and the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). The submission period will close on October 17, 2024.
To view the Code Change Proposals submitted for the 2025 Connecticut State Codes, click here. To submit a proposal, complete the CCP Form and email it to the address listed on the footer of the application.
RESNET
RESNET has five standards currently out for review:
To review the 10-page proposed addendum, please click here to download the Word document. Finally, to file a public comment, or to view submitted comments, please click here. The deadline to submit comments is September 27, 2024.
To review the 61-page proposed addendum, please click here to download the Word document. Finally, to file a public comment, or to view submitted comments, please click here. The deadline to submit comments is October 12, 2024.
5. Proposed addendum RESNET/ICC 301-2022 Addendum D-202x: This proposed addendum updates Appendix A requirements for insulation installation grading. It changes the current Appendix A Grades I, II and III scheme to a “Properly Installed”, “Not Properly Installed” scheme and makes related changes to Appendix B and to the Definitions and Section 4 of Standard 301-2022. To review the 49-page proposed addendum, please click here to download the Word document. Finally, to file a public comment, or to view already-submitted comments, please click here. The deadline to submit comments is October 14, 2024.
By Mike Collignon
Mike Collignon, author of our Code Watch and Housing 2.0 Program Manager, is Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Green Builder Coalition, a not-for-profit association dedicated to amplifying the voice of green builders and professionals to drive advocacy and education for more sustainable homebuilding practices.Also Read
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