Source: https://www.okapiarchitecture.com/category/code-compliance
Timestamp: 2019-04-26 06:20:33+00:00

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the Okapi Architecture quarterly eNewsletter.
We are very pleased at the response that we continue to receive from our readers.
We strive to keep you informed about our world of sustainability.
The final installment of our Road to Greenbuild 2016 series featuring an exclusive Q&A with S. Richard “Rick” Fedrizzi, Founding Chair and CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council. We are grateful that Rick took time out of his very busy schedule during prime Greenbuild preparation season to favor us with his unique insights.
The very prolific and committed landscape architect, Mia Lehrer, President of Mia Lehrer + Associates. The piece is centered around her work in the city of Inglewood, now heightened by her firm’s role in the stadium project centered around the Los Angeles Rams.
An interview with Michael Lehrer, President of Lehrer Architects LA and one of our city’s premier creative talents. Michael discussed his varied career interests and the challenges of being an independent architect.
On the green schools front, a Q&A with Samer Alzubaidi Director of Facilities Planning and Development at the San Bernardino Unified School District.
A Q&A with noted Architecture professor Marcela Oliva of Los Angeles Trade-Technical College.
In our What Are You Reading? section, reviews of two notable books worth your attention: The Upcycle by William McDonough and Michael Braungart; and Rick Fedrizzi’s Green Think.
environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, and diversity.
Lance A. Williams, Ph. D., LEED AP, Editor. lance@okapiarchitecture.com.
Gail Oliver, Graphic Artist, is Owner of Gail Oliver Design.
C. Scott Miller is the digital marketing strategist for Miller DeWulf Co. (dba iPLUG Media).
Lance A. Williams, Ph. D., LEED AP, is Editor of Okapi eNews Forum.
He is Executive Vice-President of Okapi Architecture.
The state of California has been a leader in building energy efficiency since the establishment of the energy code in 1978. In 2003, California adopted an Energy Action Plan which made energy efficiency the first choice in meeting the state’s future energy needs. Part of the “Big Bold Strategies” of this plan includes a goal that all new residential construction achieve zero net energy by 2020, commercial construction by 2030. The ambitious goals of this plan, as well as AB32 (California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 — legislation that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions), place an unprecedented reliance on mandatory building energy codes and standards.
Why the changes to the Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards and when will the 2016 code be required?
The CA Energy Commission (Energy Commission) re-visits and tightens the State’s building energy efficiency standards (Title 24 Part 6) every three years. The scale of the goals and challenges at hand prompt an accelerated strategy to make the codes cover more end uses and measures, while also becoming ever more stringent. The 2016 residential standards are projected to be 28% more energy stringent, and nonresidential 5% more.
The 2016 energy standards will affect projects that are submitted for building permit as of January 1, 2017 – more stringent, which means buildings being designed during 2016, that will go in for permit next year, will need to be designed to comply with the 2016 energy standards.
What are the real game changers in these new 2016 energy standards?
2016 Nonresidential Envelope Chapter, 2016 Nonresidential Compliance Manual Although there are new mandatory wall insulation requirements (§120.7) and new prescriptive insulation requirements (§140.3) for nonresidential buildings, the game changer is residential envelope energy standards.
Prescriptive High Performance Attic: The intention here is to avoid ducts located in attics that are not well insulated. There are 3 options to choose from (see Table 150.1-A for minimum R-value of insulation associated with each option).
New! Reduce existing LPD by 50% (hotel, office and retail occupancies) or 35% (all other occupancies) then controls required include Area Controls §130.1(a) and Shut- off controls §130.1(c).
Residential §150.1(k): This game changer results in a simplification of requirements. All residential lighting must be high efficacy (both indoor and outdoor), and there are some new control requirements. What is consider high efficiency has changed to include lamp types previously defined as “low efficacy” such as screw based IF tested and packaged as “JA8-2016” per expanded criteria of Joint Reference Chapter 8 (JA8).
Nonresidential: Again, minimal changes that include expanded DDC control requirements §120.2(j); optimum start/stop controls §120.2(k) and my favorite new control §140.4(n) in which operable openings left open more than 5 minutes include interlocks to disable or reset temperature setpoints to shut off heating and/or cooling. New covered process requirements including elevators, escalators and moving walkways in §120.6 addressing efficiency and controls.
Residential §150.1: Since the envelope requirements are addressing ducts in attic (in essence affecting HVAC design), the game changer is domestic hot water (DHW). New homes to install a gas tankless DHW, or if a gas tank DHW is really wanted, HERS QII and other distribution HERS measures are required prescriptively (still allowing for the option to trade via the performance method).
The California Statewide Codes & Standards Program’s EnergyCodeAce.com is designed to help building industry professionals and consumers meet the requirements of the state’s building energy code, Title 24, Part 6, and the Title 20 appliance standards. The site offers free tools, training and resources developed to “decode” these standards for the wide-range of people who need to understand them, including architects, engineers, building department personnel, lighting designers, builders, energy consultants, HVAC professionals, contractors, and building and homeowners, to name a few.
Crack the Code Industry WorkshopsTM – downloadable packages designed to help building departments facilitate trainings for local installation contractors.
Virtual classroom – delivered online in real-time by an instructor; Online self-study – allows you to take trainings at your convenience; and Decoding Talks –online facilitated discussions with industry professionals.
Checklists – Step-by-step guidance for plans checks and field inspections; • A list of useful links, telephone numbers and handy documents; • FAQs on the program, this site and the code, itself; and • A place to submit your own questions.
Since the site’s launch in 2013, the primary focus of its offerings has been on Title 24, Part 6. In 2015, the program began developing training and resources to help improve compliance with California’s appliance standards. A Title 20 section was recently launched and includes online training modules on CEC certifiation and a set of useful resources. Be on the look-out for more offerings soon!
More free 2016 Title 24 training, tools and resources are in the works! Register with www.EnergyCodeAce.com to receive notices when new offerings are available.
Sally Blair has been in the sustainable building industry since 2003, and has done extensive work with Energy Code Ace, creating tools, trainings and resources to simplify compliance with Title 24, Part 6. Her building system knowledge paired with a passion for user-centered solutions is helping California’s building industry work towards zero net energy.

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