IGCC Introduces New Green Code

A new code designed to reguate the construction of new and existing commercial buildings was recently released by the International Green Construction Code (IGCC). The announcement of a Green Building code addresses a major issue faced by designers, the lack of a standard code.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and ASTM International collaborated to launch the initiative in 2009. Several other industry leading associations also supported the development of code.

“We talked to communities who indicate that their voluntary green building programs reach only, but an important, 30 percent of the built environment,” Code Council CEO Richard P. Weiland said. “This means that there is a clear need for a regulatory tool to establish a baseline to help jurisdictions meet their sustainability goals.”

According to the IGCC, enforcement of the code will improve indoor air quality, and support the use of energy-efficient appliances, renewable energy systems, water resource conservation, rainwater collection and distribution systems, and the recovery of used water (graywater).

Though ASTM, IGCC believes there will be voluntary consensus standards recognized by industry, code officials, and other stakeholders for their high-degree of technical quality, relevance and their suitability to contribute to more sustainable and environmentally improved buildings.

According to AIA Executive Vice President/CEO Christine McEntee, “The IGCC reinforces the role of the architect as a key leader in shaping the set of decisions that result in a truly green building and underlines the fact that good design matters. The AIA committed its resources to providing a strong presence at the drafting sessions to ensure that this code would truly be useful to our members and other stakeholders, and to ensure that the regulatory landscape was structured to facilitate the advancement beyond the AIA’s 2030 energy reduction goals for carbon neutral buildings. We are very pleased with the release of this initial public version and are committed to working with the ICC as the code moves forward through the review and adoption process.”

“We are proud of the valuable role that ASTM technical committees play in contributing to green building and construction initiatives,” said James A. Thomas, President, ASTM International. “Over 20 ASTM test methods, performance specifications, guides and practices are referenced in IGCC Public Version 1.0 in areas such as solar technology, environmental site assessment, and environmental aspects of cement and concrete. ASTM International looks forward to continuing these important efforts through the development of new standards that enable innovation and the environmentally improved commercial buildings of the future.”

Additional associations supported the ICC/AIA/ASTM team in developing the IGCC. These associations included: the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Illuminating Engineers Society (IES). The IGCC will now reference the ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES

“Green building codes and standards working complementary to one another is a critical step towards advancing green building,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, USGBC. “This collaboration will accelerate the adoption of green building codes and standards developed jointly by ICC, ASHRAE, USGBC and IES, across the country and around the globe as we work collectively towards transforming building design, construction and operations to green practices.”

The International Code Council, a membership association dedicated to building safety, fire prevention and energy efficiency, develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties and states choose the International Codes, building safety codes developed by the International Code Council. The International Codes also serve as the basis for construction of federal properties around the world, and as a reference for many nations outside the United States.

Modular Building and the USGBC’s LEED ™ Version 3.0 2009 Building Rating System

The Modular Building Institute (MBI) has commissioned a report that provides the overview of how the commercial modular construction industry’s current practices can benefit from an awareness of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED™) Building Rating System. It covers LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations, applied to commercial construction, and LEED for Schools. It is a best attempt to align the modular building industry with the Prerequisite and Credit requirements imbedded in LEED V 3.0 2009.

The report was compiled by Robert Kobet, AIA, LEED-AP. The paper highlights areas where modular construction processes, in particular, have an advantage over site-build construction for LEED ratings. Below is a summary of the report’s overall conclusions concerning modular construction and sustainability as it relates to the LEED prerequisite and credit categories, as well as the new category for LEED 2009, Regional Priority.

Sustainable Sites

Proper siting or placement of modular units can contribute to improved day lighting, natural ventilation, better storm water management, more efficient site lighting and a host of other sustainable design and development improvements that contribute to a more energy, material and resource efficient project. This category also rewards construction techniques that limit site disturbance and keep disturbed areas to within the areas immediately adjacent to the building footprint.

Water Efficiency

Water conservation and the LEED Water Efficiency credits are gaining in priority and application as the awareness of the importance of water and, in some cases, growing shortages emerge. Water conservation is one of the hallmarks of high performance green buildings and one area where modular construction can enjoy the same benefits as conventional construction.

Energy and Atmosphere

Increasing energy costs and growing concern about energy availability and security are sure to keep the interest in energy conservation and renewable or alternative energy sources in the forefront of the high performance green building movement. Modular construction has a number of potential advantages — it uses structural insulated panels (SIPS) that can produce relatively high R-values, steel and aluminum stud frame construction can produce energy-efficient units and high-performance windows contribute to the pursuit of high-performance building envelopes.

Materials and Resources

Modular construction by nature is material and resource efficient. One of the great economies of modular construction is the ability to assemble repetitive units in controlled conditions. Another is to minimize material waste associated with conventional construction due to weather intrusion and construction site theft. Whole modular units — largely finished prior to arriving at the construction site — can significantly limit construction waste generated at the site and contribute directly to construction site waste management.

Indoor Environmental Quality

Superior indoor environmental quality (IEQ) is one of the most desirable and important attributes of high performance. At this time, the modular industry can provide both environmentally conscious buildings and eco-friendly building materials because it has control over both. This is evidenced by the creative and inspirational responses produced by manufacturers who have participated in green building design challenges.

Innovation and Design Process and LEED

Perhaps the best feature of the LEED building rating system is the invitation to be innovative. Modular construction capitalizes on the ability to move product in controlled manufacturing conditions, tight inventory control and project schedules. It is inherently waste conscious and can have minimum site impact if delivered carefully and strategically with respect to site constraints. Modular units purchased within 500 miles of the construction site offer other LEED point opportunities.

Regional Priority

The Regional Priority Credits category is new to LEED 2009. The Regional Bonus Credit Category contains four possible Regional Specific Environmental Priority credits. A database of the credits is available on the USGBC Web site, www.usgbc.org. It is recognized that modular building components and finished modular building units can be a part of any LEED design and construction effort, and as such, regional priority credits can also be obtained. The evolution of LEED is a reflection of the changing market forces. There is every opportunity for the modular building industry to identify with and achieve the value added in energy, material and resource efficient qualities and attributes of high performance buildings. At the same time the modular building industry offers the best strategies for construction waste management, material efficiencies and superior air quality.

Access the MBI Report