Arkansas Administrative Code › Agency 168 - Arkansas Economic Development Commission › Rule 168.00.11-003 - Arkansas Energy Code for New Building Construction

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 6, June, 2024
Introduction
The Arkansas General Assembly authorized the Arkansas Energy
			 Office to promulgate these regulations in Section 3(B)(2)(c) of Act 7 of 1981.
			 These rules and regulations are in adherence with the Administrative Procedures
			 Act.
For residential structures, Arkansas adopts the International
			 Energy Conservation Code (IECC), 2003 Edition, published and copyrighted by the
			 International Codes Council. The residential portion of the
Arkansas
			 Energy Code for New Building Construction
is composed of the 2003
			 Edition of the International Energy Conservation Code (2003 IECC) combined with
			 these
Supplements and Amendments.
Chapters 2 through 6 of the 2003 IECC provide regulations for
			 residential construction. To order copies of the
International Energy
			 Conservation Code, 2003 Edition
contact:
International Code Council
900 Montclair Road
Birmingham, Alabama 35213-1206
Phone: 1-800-786-4452, Fax: 205-591-0775
Copyright © 1996-1998 Southern Building Code Congress
			 International, Inc. All rights reserved.
For commercial structures, the Arkansas Energy Code for New
			 Building Construction adopts by reference the
American Society of
			 Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers
(ASHRAE)
ANSI / ASHRAE /IESNA Standard 90.1-2001 Energy Standard for Buildings
			 Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings
which will be in effect until
			 12/31/2012. On and after 1/1/2013 Arkansas will adopt by reference
ANSI
			 / ASHRAE /IESNA Standard 90.1-2007 ,
and as an alternative, Chapter 5
			 of the
2009 International Energy Conservation Code
with its
			 associated definitions, general requirements and referenced standards. Both
			 codes are available from the International Code Council at the above
			 address.
To order copies of
American Society of Heating,
			 Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard
			 90.1-2001
or
2007
contact:
American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning
			 Engineers, Inc.
1791 Tullie Circle, N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30329
Phone: 404-636-8400, Fax: 404-321-5478
Web:
www.ashrae.org
Questions, inquiries or request for copies of the
Arkansas Energy Code for New Building Construction Supplements and
			 Amendments
may be addressed to:
Arkansas Energy Office
Attn:
Arkansas Energy Code for New Building
			 Construction
900 West Capitol
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 800-558-2633 or 501-682-6103, Fax: 501-682-7499
Email: EnergyInfo@ArkansasEDC.com
Download code information and compliance tools at:
www.ArkansasEnergy.org.
Click on
			 the Residential tab on top, then Builders and Energy Code on the left
			 side.
OVERVIEW
This document supplements and amends the
International
			 Energy Conservation Code (IECC), 2003 Edition.
In cases where there
			 are differences between these "Supplements and Amendments" and the IECC 2003
			 Edition, or with
ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2001 or Standard
			 90.1-2007
or Chapter 5 of the 2009 IECC, these "Supplements and
			 Amendments" shall take precedence.
Each of the following Chapters of this document associates
			 directly with the corresponding chapters of the 2003 IECC unless otherwise
			 noted.
RESIDENTIAL
*Chapter 1. Administration
-
Deleted.
Replaced with the Arkansas Energy Code for New Building Construction
			 Supplements and Amendments, Chapter 1, Administration and
			 Enforcement.
*Chapter 2 :
Definitions
.
*Chapter 3 :
Design Conditions
. Establishes the
			 design criteria for the entire state of Arkansas and defines Arkansas' four
			 climate zones. The climate zones establish the design conditions for use with
			 Chapters 4, 5, 6 and 8.
This chapter has been modified to include a map of Arkansas with
			 a list of counties and their associated climate zones, and a table identifying
			 the Heating Degree Day (HDD) ranges associated with each zone.
*Chapter 4 : Pertains to
residential building design by
			 systems analysis
, as well as the use of renewable resources such as
			 wind, solar, geothermal, etc.
Section 402.2.3.1.3 has been deleted which required windows to
			 have a 0.40 Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) in homes located in areas
			 experiencing less than 3,500 HDD.
*Chapter 5 :
Residential compliance by designed
			 component1 performance
-this analyzes the
			 total building for compliance one component at a time. Assuming each individual
			 component of the building meets the thermal requirements of the code then the
			 entire building is deemed to comply. This chapter offers the use of
			 "trade-offs" to achieve compliance by allowing the builder to substitute or
			 "trade-off values between building components. A properly executed use of an
			 Arkansas Energy Office approved compliance tool may be used to validate any
			 tradeoff
Section 502.1.5 has been deleted which required the 0.40 SHGC.
			 The
R
-values in the Minimum Duct Insulation
Table
			 503.3.3.3
have been changed. Also
footnote "b"
under that
			 same table has been deleted which stated that insulation on return ducts
			 located in a basement is not required. All references to the
International Mechanical Code
have been changed to the
Arkansas Mechanical Code.
*Chapter 6 : Offers
residential prescriptive compliance
via the single step compliance method by selecting an option directly
			 from the charts in the applicable climate zone. The values from the option show
			 the minimum requirements for each component of a residential structure for the
			 specific climate zone. An approved Arkansas Energy Office prescripive
			 compliance tool may be used to validate code compliance.
Section 602.2 has been deleted which required the 0.40
			 SHGC.
COMMERCIAL
*Chapter 7 : Pertains to
building design for commercial
			 buildings
, except those that comply with Chapter 8.
ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1 2001
is adopted by reference
			 and will be in effect until 12/31/2012. On and after 1/1/2013
ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1 2007
will be in effect. An
			 approved Arkansas Energy Office compliance tool may be used to validate
			 compliance.
*Chapter 8 : Chapter 8 of the 2003 IECC is in effect until
			 12/31/2012. On and after 1/1/2013 Chapter 8 is removed in its entirity and
			 replaced with Chapter 5 of the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code
			 (2009 IECC) with its associated definitions, general requirements and
			 referenced standards. All references to the
International Mechanical
			 Code
have been changed to
the Arkansas Mechanical Code.
An approved Arkansas Energy Office compliance tool may be used to
			 validate compliance.
1 The word "component" for the purposes of this code is defined
			 as being a particular segment of a building such as a wall, ceiling, or floor.
			 Hence, the terms
wall component
or
ceiling
			 component.
SUMMARY
Chapters 4, 5 and 6 of the 2003 IECC offer different methods to
			 achieve code compliance for low-rise residential construction. For commercial
			 and high-rise residential construction Chapters 7 and 8 offer different methods
			 to achieve code compliance for commercial and high-rise residential
			 construction and refer to ASHRAE 90.1-2001 which is in effect until 12/31/2012.
			 On and after 1/1/2013 ASHRAE 90.1-2007 becomes effective for commercial and
			 high-rise residential construction and Chapter 8 of the 2003 IECC is removed
			 and replaced with Chapter 5 of the 2009 IECC.
These amendments have five significant changes:
1) Chapter 1 - Administration was deleted and replaced with the
Arkansas Energy Code for New Building Construction Supplements and
			 Amendments
,
Chapter 1, Administration and
			 Enforcement
.
2) The requirement of a 0.4 Solar Heat Gain Coefficient in
			 Chapters 4, 5 and 6 was deleted.
3) The residential duct insulation requirement was
			 changed.
4)
ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1-2001
is referenced for
			 commercial buildings and high-rise residential buildings in Chapters 7 and 8
			 until 12/31/2012. On and after 1/1/2013
ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1-2007
is referenced for commercial buildings and high-rise residential
			 buildings.
5) On and after 1/1/2013 Chapter 8 of the 2003 IECC is deleted
			 and replaced with Chapter 5 of the 2009 IECC.
ARKANSAS AMENDMENTS
* Revise the Arkansas Energy Code for New Building
			 Construction Supplements and Amendments (the 2003 Edition of the International
			 Energy Conservation Code), as follows:
CHAPTER 1
ADMINISTRATION
Delete entire CHAPTER 1 ADMINISTRATION. Replace with the
Arkansas Energy Code for New Building Construction Supplements and
			 Amendments
,
CHAPTER 1, ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
as follows.
CHAPTER 1
ADMINISTRATION and ENFORCEMENT
SECTION 101
GENERAL
101.1
Title.
These regulations
		  shall be known as the
Arkansas Energy Code for New Building
		  Construction Supplements and Amendments
, and shall be cited as such.
		  Unless otherwise specified, this
Arkansas Energy Code for New Building
		  Construction Supplements and Amendments
, the 2003 International Energy
		  Conservation Code, ASHRAE 90.1-2001, ASHRAE 90.1-2007 and Chapter 5 of the 2009
		  IECC are referred to herein as "this Code" or "the Arkansas Energy
		  Code."
101.2
Scope.
This Code establishes minimum prescriptive and performance-related
		  regulations for the design of energy-efficient buildings and structures or
		  portions thereof that provide facilities or shelter for public assembly,
		  educational, business, mercantile, institutional, storage and residential
		  occupancies, as well as those portions of factory and industrial occupancies
		  designed primarily for human occupancy. This Code thereby addresses the design
		  of energy-efficient building envelopes and the selection and installation of
		  energy-efficient mechanical, service water-heating, electrical distribution and
		  illumination systems and equipment for the effective use of energy in these
		  buildings and structures. NOTE: All referenced Chapters, Sections and Tables in
		  this Chapter correspond directly to the
International Energy
		  Conservation Code, 2003 Edition
unless otherwise noted.
101.2.1
Exempt buildings.
Buildings and structures indicated in Sections 101.2.1.1 through
		  101.2.1.5 shall be exempt from the building envelope provisions of this Code,
		  but shall comply with the provisions for building, mechanical, service water
		  heating and lighting systems.
101.2.1.1
Separated buildings.
Buildings and structures, or portions thereof
		  separated by building envelope assemblies from the remainder of the building,
		  that have a peak design rate of energy usage less than 3.4 Btu/h per square
		  foot (10.7 W/m2) or 1.0 watt per square foot (10.7
		  W/m2) of floor area for space conditioning
		  purposes.
101.2.1.2
Unconditioned buildings.
Buildings and structures or portions thereof,
		  which are neither heated nor cooled.
101.2.1.3: Buildings and structures or
		  portions thereof that are exclusively heated or cooled by renewable
		  fuels.
101.2.1.4: Mobile
		  homes
101.2.1.5: Temporary use
		  structures such as hunting and fishing camps, boat houses, remote cabins, etc.
		  that do not meet the definition of "dwelling units" in Section 202; General
		  Definitions.
101.2.2
Applicability.
The provisions of this Code shall apply to all
		  matters affecting or relating to structures and premises, as set forth in
		  Section 101. Where, in a specific case, different sections of this Code specify
		  different materials, methods of construction or other requirements, the most
		  restrictive shall govern.
101.2.2.1
Existing installations.
Except as otherwise provided for in this
		  chapter, a provision in this Code shall not require the removal, alteration or
		  abandonment of, nor prevent the continued utilization and maintenance of, an
		  existing building envelope, mechanical, service water-heating, electrical
		  distribution or illumination system lawfully in existence at the time of the
		  adoption of this Code.
101.2.2.2
Additions to Existing Buildings:
Additions to existing buildings
		  or structures may be made to such buildings or structures without making the
		  entire building or structure comply. The new addition shall conform to the
		  provisions of this Code as they relate to new construction only.
101.2.2.3
Renovations:
Any
		  rehabilitation of an existing building that requires more than 25 percent of
		  the gross floor area or volume of the entire building to be rebuilt shall
		  comply with this Code. Cosmetic work such as painting, wall covering, wall
		  paneling, and floor covering shall not be included.
101.2.2.4
Historic buildings.
The provisions of this Code relating to the construction, alteration,
		  repair, enlargement, restoration, relocation or movement of buildings or
		  structures shall not be mandatory for existing buildings or structures
		  specifically identified and classified as historically significant by the state
		  or local jurisdiction, listed in
The National Register of Historic
		  Places
or which have been determined to be eligible for such
		  listing.
101.2.3
Mixed occupancy.
When a building houses more than one occupancy, each
		  portion of the building shall conform to the requirements for the occupancy
		  housed therein. Where minor accessory uses do not occupy more than 10 percent
		  of the area of any floor of a building, the major use shall be considered the
		  building occupancy. Buildings, other than detached one- and two-family
		  dwellings and townhouses, with a height of four or more stories above grade
		  shall be considered commercial buildings for purposes of this Code, regardless
		  of the number of floors that are classified as residential occupancy.
101.3
Intent.
The
		  provisions of this Code shall regulate the design of building envelopes for
		  adequate thermal resistance and low air leakage and the design and selection of
		  mechanical, electrical, service water-heating and illumination systems and
		  equipment which will enable effective use of energy in new building
		  construction. It is intended that these provisions provide flexibility to
		  permit the use of innovative approaches and techniques to achieve effective
		  utilization of energy. This Code is not intended to abridge safety, health or
		  environmental requirements under other applicable codes or
		  ordinances.
101.4
Compliance.
Compliance with this Code shall be determined in accordance
		  with Sections 101.4.1 and 101.4.2.
101.4.1
Residential buildings.
For residential buildings the following
		  shall be used as the basis for compliance assessment: a systems approach for
		  the entire building (Chapter 4), an approach based on performance of individual
		  components of the building envelope (Chapter 5), an approach based on
		  performance of the total building envelope (Chapter 5), an approach based on
		  acceptable practice for each envelope component (Chapter 5), an approach by
		  prescriptive specification for individual components of the building envelope
		  (Chapter 5), or an approach based on simplified, prescriptive specification
		  (Chapter 6) where the conditions set forth in Section 101.4.1.1 or 101.4.1.2
		  are satisfied.
101.4.1.1
Detached one-
		  and two-family dwellings.
When the glazing area does not exceed 15
		  percent of the gross area of exterior walls.
101.4.1.2
Residential buildings, Group
		  R-2, R-4 or townhouses.
When the glazing area does not exceed 25 percent
		  of the gross area of exterior walls.
101.4.2
Commercial buildings.
For commercial buildings, a prescriptive or performance-based approach
		  (Chapter 7) or as specified by acceptable practice (Chapter 8) shall be used as
		  the basis for compliance assessment up to 12/31/2012. On and after 1/1/2013
		  ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1-2007 or Chapter 5 of the 2009 IECC shall be used as a
		  basis for compliance assessment.
101.4.3
Builder
		  Acknowledgement
. Cities or counties that issue building permits for new
		  building construction are required to record that the builder has certified
		  that the proposed building will comply with the Arkansas Energy Code.
101.5
Adoption.
Arkansas Code § 15-10-205(b)(3)(B) requires that any city or county
		  in Arkansas which issues building permits for new building construction
		  (referred to herein as "applicable cities or counties") shall adopt the
		  Arkansas Energy Code as amended.
101.5.1
Date of Adoption.
Applicable cities or counties shall adopt the
		  Arkansas Energy Code prior to December 31, 2012.
101.5.2
Acknowledgement of Adoption.
Upon adoption of the Arkansas Energy Code, applicable cities or counties
		  are required to submit a copy of the adoption ordinance to the Arkansas Energy
		  Office. If the applicable city or county has not adopted the Arkansas Energy
		  Code by December 31, 2012, the mayor and/or county judge is required to submit
		  a letter to the Arkansas Energy Office, no later than 60 days after this
		  deadline, describing why the city or county is not in compliance with Arkansas
		  Code § 15-10-205(b)(3)(B).