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Commercial Code Change Proposals for the 2015 IECC

DOE Concepts for the IECC and IEBC

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) supports the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) by participating in the code development

processes administered by the International Code Council (ICC). As a participant in this process, DOE considers and evaluates concepts to be

submitted as proposed changes to the IECC ("code").

DOE intends to participate in the IECC and International Existing Building Code (IEBC) code development processes by:

1. Developing code change proposals for submission to the ICC

2. Gathering public input on DOE code change proposals from interested parties prior to submitting them to the ICC

3. Conducting necessary technical analyses to document the validity of DOE code change proposals

All concepts applicable to the IEBC are intended to clarify and further strengthen the manner in which the IEBC refers to and applies the IECC with

respect to the scope and application of the IEBC to existing buildings.

DOE Proposal Development

DOE seeks to advance energy efficiency in the IECC by strengthening the code and improving the criteria to be more easily understood, applied,

implemented and enforced. Prior to submitting code change proposals to the ICC, DOE will publish draft code change proposals that it has

developed, along with documentation of concepts, for public review and comment. DOE will not provide responses to individual comments, but will

consider any and all comments timely submitted in developing final code change proposals. DOE draft proposals, along with additional concepts

still under consideration, will be further developed based on the feedback received. Final proposals will be posted for public viewing prior to

submitting to the ICC.

Submitting Comments on DOE Concepts

In the current code cycle, the ICC will be considering proposed revisions to the 2012 IECC and IEBC which will result in the 2015 IECC and IEBC.

In order to allow adequate time to incorporate feedback prior to the ICC submission deadline of January 3, 2013, interested parties are asked to

submit any and all comments on DOE initial concepts and draft code change proposals by October 19, 2012. Early feedback is

appreciated in order to maximize the opportunity for revisions and enhancements.

DOE anticipates that it or its contractors may be contacted regarding code concepts, ideas or change proposals through phone, mail, or email.

While DOE code change proposals to the IECC are not regulations, DOE will follow ex parte communication policy for such communications.

Guidance on ex parte communications was published on January 21, 2009 (74 FR 4685). Note that such communications will be reflected in the

public docket consistent with the ex parte guidance.

DOE Technical Analysis

In developing concepts for submission to the ICC, DOE conducts a series of analyses to evaluate energy savings and economic impacts of

potential code change proposals. However, many proposals submitted to the ICC do not require analysis as they represent minor corrections or

alignments between the code itself, or referenced standards, changes to the format of the code, or have no cost impact. DOE is not able to

provide technical assistance at the request of outside parties, but reserves the right to conduct analysis in support of proposals DOE is considering

for submission to the ICC. While DOE cannot enter into joint code change proposals (outside of proposals submitted jointly with another federal

agency), DOE intends to support efficiency concepts from the perspective of its own analysis.

DOE will reference all analysis and supporting documentation as required by the ICC. Analysis performed by DOE or its contractors for the

purpose of developing code change proposals should be considered on a technical basis, and does not represent an endorsement of any

particular individual or organization. DOE will also publish the results of its analysis, along with supporting energy simulation models, for review and

use by outside parties. Any interested party wishing to review or build-upon the DOE analysis can access it via Development.

Timeline

Comments on DOE concepts and draft proposals are due October 19, 2012

DOE code change proposals will be posted for public viewing on or about December 1, 2012

The ICC deadline for submission of proposals for the 2015 IECC is January 3, 2013

Instructions

Comments on DOE concepts and draft code change proposals for the 2015 IECC and IEBC can be submitted by email to

EnergyCodeDevelopment2012BC0030@ee.doe.gov .

All submissions received must include the agency name (U.S. DOE), docket number (EERE-2012-BT-BC-0030), and any/all applicable

concept numbers (see concept table below) in the subject line of the message. 

Commercial Concepts for the 2015 IECC

To foster review, concepts are organized by type of change:

Concepts that increase energy efficiency (CA)

Concepts that extend flexibility and usability of the code (CB)

Concepts applicable to the IEBC (E)

Residential concepts DOE is considering for the 2015 IECC.

Note that some concepts may appear to be similar, but are presented as separate concepts because they would represent separate code change

proposals. In some cases, proposals are alternatives to other proposals. The order in which the concepts are presented should not be construed

to represent any prioritization of the concepts.
These concepts have been posted early to provide the opportunity for early feedback. Some proposals do not require analysis, and notes rather

than a link are provided in the analysis column. Draft and final proposals, as well as supporting analysis files, will be added as they become

available.

Also note that code change proposals that would extract criteria from American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Engineers /

Illuminating Engineers Society (ASHRAE/IES) 90.1-2010 or any published addenda to that standard would be addressed directly by ASHRAE

pursuant to procedures that guide ASHRAE involvement in development of model codes and standards.

Draft proposals are available to view/download as separate individual files from the tables below, or as a complete package:

iecc2015_Commercial_draft.zip .

Concepts that increase energy efficiency (CA)

CONCEPT

#

CONCEPT NAME/DESCRIPTION DRAFT

PROPOSAL

FINAL

PROPOSAL

SUPPORTING

ANALYSIS

CA-1 Simplify Opaque Envelope Tables (C402).

Simplify the opaque envelope tables to include only one requirement for each

assembly type (e.g., walls, roof, and floor).

Pending Pending Pending

CA-2 Change Interior Design Conditions (C403.2.1).

Increase the minimum design cooling temperature and decrease the maximum

heating design temperature.

Pending Pending N/A

CA-3 Enhance Requirements for Demand Controlled Ventilation (C403.2.5.1).

Reduce thresholds associated with space size and design occupancy density at

which demand controlled ventilation is required.

CA-3 Draft

Proposal

Pending Pending

CA-4 Increase Duct and Plenum Insulation (C403.2.7).

Increase all minimum insulation levels by R-2 or an appropriate level for climate and

duct location.

Pending Pending Pending

CA-5a Commission the Entire Building (C408).

Increase commissioning scope beyond Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning

(HVAC) and lighting to also include the building envelope and service water heating

systems, and provide detailed provisions for each of them. Develop a simplified

process for buildings under 25,000 square feet in floor area. Include provisions to

allow for building commissioning compliance verification to be performed through

special inspections using approved third parties.

Pending Pending Pending

CA-5b Commission Service Water Heating (C408).

Increase HVAC commissioning scope to also include the building service water

heating systems.

CA-5b

Draft

Proposal

Pending Pending

CA-6 Interior Lighting Allowance Reduction Package (C406.3).

Add package to provide for an additional reduction in lighting power density (LPD) by

10% over minimum code.

Pending Pending Pending

CA-7 Commercial Buildings to meet ASHRAE/IES 90.1 (C101.4).

Replace all of the IECC Commercial provisions with a reference to ASHRAE/IES 90.1.

CA-7 Draft

Proposal

Pending Pending

CA-8 Reference Appendix G from ASHRAE/IES 90.1 as Performance Path

(C401.2/C407).

Replace Section C407 with a singular reference to ASHRAE/IES 90.1 for the criteria

applicable to the performance path to compliance, and require compliance be based

on a 26% reduction in energy cost for the proposed design over the standard design

building.

CA-8 Draft

Proposal

Pending N/A

CA-9 Continuous Air Barrier Compliance Path Continuity (C402.4).

Modify the continuous air barrier requirements so all three compliance options are

comparable.

CA-9 Draft

Proposal

Pending N/A

CA-10 Envelope Commissioning (new).

Add provisions covering commissioning of the building envelope.

CA-10

Draft

Proposal

Pending Pending

CA-11 Increase Scope for Additions and Alterations (C101.4.3).

Increase the scope of what must meet the provisions of the IECC for additions,

rehabilitations, renovations or repairs (e.g., reducing the exceptions in that area).

CA-11

Draft

Proposal

Pending N/A

CA-12 Re-Roofing (C101.4.3).

Add criteria to ensure adding insulation is required at the time a building is re-roofed.

CA-12

Draft

Proposal

Pending N/A

CA-13 Outcome-Based Compliance Path (C401.1).

Add an outcome-based path for office buildings from 20,000 to 50,000 square feet in

floor area.

Pending Pending N/A

CA-14 Multifamily Residential Classification (C101 and C202).

Revise the definition of residential building so only attached and detached one and

two family dwellings and townhouses are considered residential, and all others

commercial.

Pending Pending N/A

CA-15 Small Simple Building Compliance Path (C402).

Develop a simplified approach for envelope, mechanical, service water heating, and

lighting that will apply to small simple buildings.

Pending Pending N/A
CONCEPT

#

CONCEPT NAME/DESCRIPTION DRAFT

PROPOSAL

FINAL

PROPOSAL

SUPPORTING

ANALYSIS

CA-16 Rewrite Lighting Criteria (C405.2).

Completely rewrite Section C405.2 to be better organized, clarify intent, enhance

energy efficiency, and provide a better basis for the ICC International Green

Construction Code (IgCC) lighting provisions.

Pending Pending Pending

CA-17 Water Heating. (C404).

Require use of more efficient service water heating, including solar, heat recovery,

condensing water heater, or heat pump water heaters for buildings with significant hot

water usage (e.g., hospitals, restaurants, dormitories, hotels, laundries, fitness

centers, apartment buildings). Consider system size, system efficiency, etc. as part of

the proposal. Include alternative path for point-of-use water heating sources for low

use fixtures that provide hot water (e.g., lavatory sinks).

Pending Pending Pending

CA-18 Water-side Economizer for Non-Fan Cooling Systems. (C403.4.3).

Require water-side economizer for water-cooled chilled water systems for non-fan

systems (e.g. radiant cooling, passive chilled beam systems), and for systems with

small individual fan systems served by chilled water (e.g., fan coils, possibly chilled

beams).

Pending Pending Pending

CA-19 Limited Application of Air-Cooled Chillers. (C403.4.8 new).

Require buildings with 300 tons or greater peak cooling load to have no more than

100 tons served by air-cooled systems. Include exceptions for high-efficiency

air-cooled systems and systems with thermal storage.

CA-19

Draft

Proposal

Pending Pending

CA-20 Toplit Daylighting Area Threshold. (C405.2.2.3).

Reduce the area threshold for daylighting control requirements in skylit areas to 1000

square feet.

CA-20

Draft

Proposal

Pending Pending

CA-21 Increase Visible Transmittance (VT). (C303.1.3).

Increase VT requirements to improve daylighting effectiveness.

CA-21

Draft

Proposal

Pending Pending

CA-22 Lighting Controls. (C405.2.2.2).

Require occupancy sensors be installed in all buildings and act at the primary lighting

control for interior lighting.

Pending Pending Pending

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Concepts that extend flexibility and usability of the code (CB)

CONCEPT

#

CONCEPT NAME/DESCRIPTION DRAFT

PROPOSAL

FINAL

PROPOSAL

CB-1 Compliance Checklist (Resource Appendix A (new)).

Add a new Resource Appendix to the IECC that contains a checklist, forms and instructions to

facilitate compliance documentation and verification.

CB-1 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-2 Add Exempt Buildings (C104.1).

Add exempted project types for buildings such as greenhouses that do not appear to be capable of

complying or add criteria that specifically apply to them.

CB-2 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-3 Inspections (C104).

Improve/enhance details governing inspections of construction.

CB-3 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-4 Scope to Include Building Sites (C401.1).

Include building sites in the scope of the IECC (consistent with C101.2).

CB-4 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-5 Fenestration Product Rating (C303.1.3).

Remove default values for fenestration thermal properties (U-factor, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient

(SHGC) and Visible Transmittance (VT)) resulting in a requirement that all fenestration have those

properties determined by an accredited independent laboratory and labeled and certified by the

manufacturer.

CB-5 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-6 Fenestration Haze Factor (C402.3.2.2).

Clarify the testing requirements for haze factor to reference Procedure A of ASTM D 1003 or other

ASTM standards as applicable.

CB-6 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-7 Add Definition for Rooftop Monitor (C202).

Provide a definition of the term Rooftop Monitor as used in Section C402.3.2.1 (4).

CB-7 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-8 Application of Fenestration Provisions (C202).

Clarify application of thermal provisions (U-factor or SHGC) for fenestration materials or products

installed at an angle greater than 0 up to and including 30 degrees from vertical.

CB-8 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-9 Roof Solar Reflectance and Thermal Emittance (C402.2.1.1 and C202).

Edit to better present the criteria and add a definition for the term "low slope roof".

CB-9 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-10 Skylight Curbs Insulation Exemption (C402.2.1).

Clarify the language that provides when a skylight curb can be exempted from meeting the

requirements for insulating the curb.

CB-10 Draft

Proposal

Pending
CONCEPT

#

CONCEPT NAME/DESCRIPTION DRAFT

PROPOSAL

FINAL

PROPOSAL

CB-11 Define Wall Types (C402.2.2, C402.2.2.1, C402.2.2.2 and C202).

Move the text indicating how to determine wall classification and replace current text with a formal

definition of each wall type.

CB-11 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-12 Fenestration U-Factor and SHGC Provisions (C402.3.3).

Clarify the provisions in the code.

CB-12 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-13 Area weighted U-Factor (C402.3.4).

Clarify the provisions in the code.

CB-13 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-14 Above-Grade Walls (C402.2.3).

Clarify the provisions in the code.

CB-14 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-15 Continuous Air Barriers (C402.4.2).

Clarify the language pertaining to the sealing of penetrations in the building envelope.

CB-15 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-16 Below-Grade Wall Insulation (C402.2.4).

Clarify how insulation is to be installed and how deep. The term "installed in or continuously on" is

potentially confusing in that it infers that the insulation could be inside the wall but not necessarily

continuous. Also clarify where the depth of burial measurements are to be made.

CB-16 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-17 Floor Insulation (C402.2.5).

Revise the code to ensure that insulation applied in floors over outside air or unconditioned spaces

is in contact with the underside of the floor deck above.

CB-17 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-18 Opaque Doors (C402.2.7).

Clarify when doors are considered part of the opaque wall and subject to thermal requirements for

the wall, and when doors are fenestration and subject to those requirements.

CB-18 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-19 Radiant Heating Panel Insulation (C402.2.8).

Clarify that panels installed in building thermal envelope assemblies must be insulated per the

requirements of the assembly in which they are installed. Require insulation of at least R-3.5 on the

non-radiant surface when installed in interior assemblies. Refer to the other applicable sections of

the code for insulating heated slabs.

CB-19 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-20 Minimum Skylight Fenestration Area (C402.3.2).

Clarify the language pertaining to requiring skylights in roofs covering areas greater than 10,000

square feet.

CB-20 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-21 Daylighting Controls for Skylights (C402.3, C402.3.1.2 and C402.3.1.1 (2)).

Clarify daylighting control provisions and locate in a more appropriate subsection.

CB-21 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-22 Access Doors and Openings (C402.4.4).

Clarify the components covered are subject to air leakage provisions as components of the building

thermal envelope, and provide a distinction between these doors and other doors that are already

covered within the scope of fenestration assemblies.

CB-22 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-23 Consolidate Damper Provisions (C402.4.5).

Consolidate all provisions associated with leakage rates, sealing, dampers, etc. of mechanical

system openings, vents, grills, etc. in one place in the code.

CB-23 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-24 Recessed Lighting Sealing (C402.4.8).

Clarify the language for sealing recessed lighting that is located in the building thermal envelope.

CB-24 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-25 Reference ASHRAE 183 for Thermal Load Calculations (C403.2.1).

Simplify the language requiring heating and cooling load calculations to simply reference ASHRAE

183.

CB-25 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-26 Equipment and System Sizing (C403.2.2).

Delete the words "and system" from the title as the provisions are written to apply to the output

capacity of the equipment that provides heating or cooling functions.

CB-26 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-27 Chiller Exception (C403.2.3.1).

Clarify the language on the type of systems that need not comply with the requirements.

CB-27 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-28 Chiller "Listed/Labeled" Compared to "Certified"(C403.2.3.2.).

Clarify the code on the issue of "listed" and "labeled" equipment compared to "certified".

CB-28 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-29 Shutoff Damper Controls (C403.2.4.4).

Cover only the types of controls that are required for dampers because other damper requirements

are covered elsewhere in the code.

CB-29 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-30 Low-Pressure Duct Systems (C403.2.7.1.1).

Clarify that continuously welded and locked construction methods for duct systems meets the code,

and delete text indicating what must be provided on the drawings because that is already covered in

C103.2.

CB-30 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-31 High Pressure Duct Systems (C403.2.7.1.3).

Consistency in presentation of criteria for duct systems.

CB-31 Draft

Proposal

Pending
CONCEPT

#

CONCEPT NAME/DESCRIPTION DRAFT

PROPOSAL

FINAL

PROPOSAL

CB-32 Allowable Fan Floor Horsepower (C403.2.10.1).

Editorial clarification and simplification.

CB-32 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-33 Motor nameplate horsepower exceptions (C403.2.10.2).

Simplify exceptions by replacing with a positive statement of requirements.

CB-33 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-34 Exterior Lighting Controls (C405.2.4).

Simplify code provisions.

CB-34 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-35 Total Connected Interior Lighting Power (C405.5.1).

Simplify to present as an equation what is now text that guides how the connected lighting power is

calculated.

CB-35 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-36 Sleeping Unit Lighting Control (C405.5.1, Exception 1.2).

Simplify by removing redundant text.

CB-36 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-37 Exterior Lighting Zone (Table C405.6.2 (1)).

Clarify to indicate that Zone 3 includes all areas that are not classified as lighting zone 1, 2, or 4.

CB-37 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-38 Dwelling Unit Electric Metering (C405.7).

Simplify to indicate that the dwelling units in Use Group R-2 buildings must be separately metered.

CB-38 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-39 Additional Efficiency Options (C406.1, 406.2 and 406.3).

Simplify and clarify the code.

CB-39 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-40 Acceptance of Commissioning Report (C408.2.4.1).

Revise the commissioning provision so that buildings cannot be considered for a final inspection (do

not pass the mechanical inspection) until the owner indicates in writing they have the required

commissioning report.

CB-40 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-41 Mechanical Commissioning Scope (C408.2).

Simplify and clarify the exceptions to required commissioning.

CB-41 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-42 Mechanical Commissioning Order of Events (C408.2).

Clarify the order in which commissioning events take place.

CB-42 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-43 Alteration Definition (C202).

Clarify alterations including changes to HVAC, SHW or lighting systems involving extension, addition

or change to arrangement, type or purpose.

CB-43 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-44 Repair Definition (C202).

Revise term to be specific as to intent and meaning and so it can be readily applied in compliance

verification.

CB-44 Draft

Proposal

Pending

CB-45 Snow Melt Provisions (C403.2.4.5).

Align snow melt provisions with expansion of IECC scope to include building site and delete

unneeded language.

CB-45 Draft

Proposal

Pending

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Commercial Concepts for the IEBC

The order in which the concepts are presented should not be construed to represent any prioritization of the concepts. Draft and final

proposals will be added as they become available.

Draft proposals are available to view/download as seperate individual files from the table below, or as a complete package: iebc_draft.zip .

Commercial Concepts for the IEBC (E)

CONCEPT

#

CONCEPT NAME/DESCRIPTION DRAFT

PROPOSAL

FINAL

PROPOSAL

E-1 Alteration Definition (202).

Expands definition of "alteration" to include retrofits and changes to energy systems.

E-1 Draft

Proposal

Pending

E-2 Repair Definition (202).

Expands definition of "repair" to include retrofits and changes to energy systems.

E-2 Draft

Proposal

Pending

E-3 Addition Energy Requirements (402.1).

Requires additions considered on their own to meet the provisions of the IECC.

E-3 Draft

Proposal

Pending

E-4 Alteration Energy Requirements (403.1).

Requires alterations considered on their own to meet the provisions of the IECC.

E-4 Draft

Proposal

Pending

E-5 Fenestration Energy Requirements (406.1).

Requires fenestration in repairs, alterations or additions to meet the provisions of the IECC.

E-5 Draft

Proposal

Pending

E-6 Occupancy Change Requirements (407.5).

A change in occupancy would require the building to either meet the provisions of the IECC or have

no increase in connected power load.

E-6 Draft

Proposal

Pending
Contacts Web Site Policies U.S. Department of Energy USA.gov

Last Updated: Tuesday, September 18, 2012 - 12:26

CONCEPT

#

CONCEPT NAME/DESCRIPTION DRAFT

PROPOSAL

FINAL

PROPOSAL

E-7 Repair Energy Requirements (403.1).

Requires equipment installed during repairs to meet the provisions of the IECC and insulation to be

upgraded to current IECC requirements when structural components are exposed.

E-7 Draft

Proposal

Pending

E-8 Demand Increase Requirements (1011.1).

A change in occupancy resulting in increased connected power load would require the building to

meet the provisions of the IECC.

E-8 Draft

Proposal

Pending

E-9 Performance Path (1401.5 & 1401.6).

Exempt upgrade of alterations, additions, changes in occupancy, or repairs to meet the provisions

of the 2012 IECC when a registered design professional documents energy performance in

conformance to the IECC performance provisions.

E-9 Draft

Proposal

Pending

E-10 Documentation (new at 106.2.5).

Requires plans and specifications to provide detailed information needed to verify compliance with

energy efficiency provisions.

E-10 Draft

Proposal

Pending

E-11 Insulation and Air Leakage Inspection (new at 109.3.5).

Provides for inspection of insulation fill and air barriers while components are still accessible for

inspection.

E-11 Draft

Proposal

Pending

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