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Verifying Energy Code Compliance During Plan Review

jar546

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Do you have a separate energy plans examiner or do you do it yourself? What does your jurisdiction do to ensure compliance with the energy code?

Here are some excerpts from the FBC which mimics the IECC:

Design professionals responsible under Florida law for the design of lighting, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems and the building shell, shall certify compliance of those building systems with the code by signing and providing their professional registration number on the energy code form provided as part of the plans and specifications to the building department.

This then goes on to state:

C103.2 Information on construction documents.
Construction documents shall be drawn to scale upon suitable material. Electronic media documents are permitted to be submitted where approved by the code official. Construction documents shall be of sufficient clarity to indicate the location, nature and extent of the work proposed, and show in sufficient detail pertinent data and features of the building, systems and equipment as herein governed. Details shall include, but are not limited to, the following as applicable:
  1. Insulation materials and their R-values.
  2. Fenestration U-factors and solar heat gain coefficients (SHGCs).
  3. Area-weighted U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) calculations.
  4. Mechanical system design criteria.
  5. Mechanical and service water heating system and equipment types, sizes and efficiencies.
  6. Economizer description.
  7. Equipment and system controls.
  8. Fan motor horsepower (hp) and controls.
  9. Duct sealing, duct and pipe insulation and location.
  10. Lighting fixture schedule with wattage and control narrative.
  11. Location of daylight zones on floor plans.
  12. Air sealing details.
C103.2.1Building thermal envelope depiction.
The building’s thermal envelope shall be represented on the construction drawings.

So who amongst you is checking for all of this? Who is not?

Then there are the required inspections such as these:

C104.2.2 Framing and rough-in inspection.
Inspections at framing and rough-in shall be made before application of interior finish and shall verify compliance with the code as to types of insulation and corresponding R-values and their correct location and proper installation; fenestration properties (U-factor, SHGC and VT) and proper installation; and air leakage controls as required by the code and approved plans and specifications.
C104.2.3 Plumbing rough-in inspection.
Inspections at plumbing rough-in shall verify compliance as required by the code and approved plans and specifications as to types of insulation and corresponding R-values and protection; required controls; and required heat traps.
C104.2.4 Mechanical rough-in inspection.
Inspections at mechanical rough-in shall verify compliance as required by the code and approved plans and specifications as to installed HVAC equipment type and size; required controls, system insulation and corresponding R-value; system and damper air leakage; and required energy recovery and economizers.
C104.2.5 Electrical rough-in inspection.
Inspections at electrical rough-in shall verify compliance as required by the code and approved plans and specifications as to installed lighting systems, components and controls; and installation of an electric meter for each dwelling unit.
C104.2.6 Final inspection.
The building shall have a final inspection and shall not be occupied until approved. The final inspection shall include verification of the installation and proper operation of all required building controls, and documentation verifying activities associated with required building commissioning have been conducted and findings of noncompliance corrected. Buildings, or portions thereof, shall not be considered for a final inspection until the code official has received a letter of transmittal from the building owner acknowledging that the building owner has received the Preliminary Commissioning Report as required in Section C408.2.4.
 
We are a two person operation.

We both check for energy code compliance. R-value for building assemblies are required with the application along with the window and door info. Mechanical equipment is also verified to make sure it meets as well at this stage.

Our code does not dictate when inspections are required. This is left to each jurisdiction. Energy code compliance can be inspected at almost every inspection we do (apart from utility connections). We do a specific inspection of the thermal envelope at the vapour barrier stage and verify mechanicals at the final stage, but we are usually looking at where we will see problems for future inspections all the time. I think this is a big advantage to multi-discipline inspections. When I am inspecting the framing, I can also give them a heads up of something that might be a problem in the vapour barrier inspection and we can look at a solution before they even know it is an issue. Saves us from a re-inspection and saves them time and money. No working in an attic with 14" of blown insulation. No cutting sheet
 
C408.2.3 Functional performance testing. Functional
performance testing specified in Sections C408.2.3.1
through C408.2.3.3 shall be conducted.

C408.3 Lighting system functional testing. Controls for
automatic lighting systems shall comply with this section.
C408.3.1 Functional testing. Prior to passing final
inspection, the registered design professional shall provide
evidence that the lighting control systems have been
tested to ensure that control hardware and software are calibrated,
adjusted, programmed and in proper working condition
in accordance with the construction documents and
manufacturer’s instructions. Functional testing shall be in
accordance with Sections C408.3.1.1 and C408.3.1.2 for
the applicable control type.
 
The code does not list section 408 is required. Is this a local requirment?

C401.2 Application. Commercial buildings shall comply
with one of the following:
1. The requirements of ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1.
2. The requirements of Sections C402 through C405. In
addition, commercial buildings shall comply with Section
C406 and tenant spaces shall comply with Section
C406.1.1.
3. The requirements of Sections C402.5, C403.2, C404,
C405.2, C405.3, C405.4, C405.6 and C407. The building
energy cost shall be equal to or less than 85 percent
of the standard reference design building.
 
My State says I have to enforce the Energy code, and has modified the code to make some sections mandatory. So I get a REScheck (from applicant) or COMcheck (from RDP) that shows compliance, inspect what the State says they must have and that they did what they were telling me they were going to do in whichever compliance report, and roll on.
 
The code does not list section 408 is required. Is this a local requirment?

C401.2 Application. Commercial buildings shall comply
with one of the following:
1. The requirements of ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1.
2. The requirements of Sections C402 through C405. In
addition, commercial buildings shall comply with Section
C406

C403.2.11 Mechanical systems commissioning and completion
requirements. Mechanical systems shall be commissioned
and completed in accordance with Section C408.2.
 
C403.2.11 Mechanical systems commissioning and completion
requirements. Mechanical systems shall be commissioned
and completed in accordance with Section C408.2.

This section does not exist in the 2015 IECC that I have. Is this in the 2018 IECC?
Where does it say section 408 is required in the 2015 IECC?
 
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