Understanding the District’s
Green and Energy Code
February 10, 2016
David Epley
Green Building and Sustainability
Program Manager
[email protected]
Learning
Objectives
Through this course, participants will:
1. Learn how the 2013 DC Energy Conservation and Green Construction
Codes apply to your project and interact with other green building related
regulations.
2. Learn how the 2013 codes impact your project timeline from design to
construction.
3. Learn common energy and green code mistakes that are missed by
designers.
4. Learn about the various educational resources, tools, submittal templates
and trainings that DCRA offers to help designers, builders and contractors
with compliance.
Instructor’s
Objectives
Through this course, the instructor will:
1. Demonstrate the path forward in which all projects can consistently
comply with the applicable regulations the first time around.
2. Give participants the tools and information needed to make an informed
decision about which green building requirements apply to their project
and how to confirm with DCRA.
3. Demonstrate the effective ways to proactively communicate with
DCRA’s Green Building Division, emphasizing our open door policy.
4. Breakdown and simplify green regulations in a methodical,
understandable and relatable way.
DCRA’s Green Building Division
The Division Enforces:
• Green Building Act
• Green Construction Code
• Energy Conservation Code
• Anacostia Waterfront Environmental Standards
• We operate within the structure of DCRA’s permitting and
inspections groups, with work including reviews of construction
documents, conducting building inspections, and collaborating
with the community to further the efforts to build a more
sustainable DC.
• The Division acts as an educator and green building technical
assistance resource
Available at BuildGreenDC.org
Available at BuildGreenDC.org
Available at BuildGreenDC.org
Available at BuildGreenDC.org
Available at BuildGreenDC.org
DCRA’s Green Building Division
“Meet folks where they’re at”
Hallmarks of a Successful Team
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Ask questions. Lots of them.
They do not leave things to chance
Are assertive about figuring out what applies to
their project
Communicate openly and often with DCRA
Maintain important communications in writing
Take the time to understand regulations (before
permitting)
Put in the effort to update their internal process.
Design
•
•
•
Determine what regulations apply to your project
Select a capable design team
Resources available and recommended to you:
• Self-selection Guides
• Preliminary Green Review
• Preliminary Design Review Meeting
• Direct technical questions to
[email protected]
• Walk-in office hours from 1-2PM everyday
• Educational Resources (e.g. sectional reference
guides, green building program manual)
Applicability of Regulations
Dave’s Recommended Thought Process Prior to Design:
1.
2.
All projects must comply with the 2013 DC Energy Conservation
Code. Do not overlook it and find a capable design team.
Determine if your project needs to comply with the Green Building
Act
a) If YES, then proceed with requirements.
•
Reminder: don’t forget the Energy Code!
•
Also, take note, if you fall under the private-side
requirements, you must submit a financial security prior to
issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy.
b) If NO, see #3
Applicability of Regulations
Dave’s Recommended Thought Process Prior to Design:
3. Determine if your project needs to comply with the 2013 Green
Construction Code.
a) If YES, choose which “pathway” you want to choose to comply
(e.g. Green Code, LEED, EGC, ICC-700, 189.1)
• Reminder: don’t forget the Energy Code!
b) If NO, focus only on compliance with the Energy Code
4. Verify your conclusion with DCRA
Energy Conservation Code
• The Energy Code has more than one pathway
• Residential has prescriptive, trade-off and performance
• Commercial has ASHRAE 90.1 or IECC Commercial
• TWO DIFFERENT ENERGY CODES
• Within those two energy codes, you have a series
of prescriptive and performance paths
• Well before submitting for permit, you should know
which path you are following
Green Building Act
Public Requirements
1. 15% District financed or district instrumentality
financed? AND
2. New construction or substantial improvement?
3. For residential, 10,000 square feet or greater?
If YES, then apply the following…
• ENERGY STAR Target Finder score of 75 or greater, AND
• Non-Residential: LEED Silver
• Public or Charter School: LEED Gold
• Residential: Green Communities (exempt from Target Finder
requirement)
Green Building Act
Private Requirements
1. New construction or substantial improvement? AND
2. Non-residential?
If YES, then apply the following… LEED Certified
If NO, check to see if Green Code Applicable
Don’t forget the Energy Code!
Green Construction Code
•
•
Applies to projects 10,000 square feet or greater.
• Except if you are already complying with the GBA
• Additional exemptions in Chapter 1
Includes new construction and alterations 1, 2 and 3 and
applies to the scope of work of the project
Don’t forget the Energy Code!
Available at BuildGreenDC.org
A Word of Advice…
• Other “green” requirements may apply to your project
and sometimes may even conflict
• Example: Zoning Order requires that you be LEED
Gold “certifiable” but the Green Code requires you
certify to LEED at the Certified Level
Question for Audience: What do you do?
A. Wait until permit application is submitted to ask
questions.
B. Hope DCRA doesn’t notice it.
C. Reach out to DCRA by phone or email
([email protected]) to determine how to
proceed
Permitting
•
•
•
Prepare appropriate drawings, specs and additional
documentation as determined by what regulations
are applicable to the project
Projects will be flagged for “green review” in
permitting workflow
Energy Code Documentation
• Energy Verification Sheet (communication
tool)
• Supplemental documentation as determined
by the scope (e.g. HVAC sizing, energy model
calcs)
• TIP: Use resources at greenbuilddc.org
Navigating Energy Verification Sheets
2) Project
Pathways & Info.
3) Key
5) Measures
1) Title Block
4) Directions Summary
Permitting
•
Green Building Act Documentation
• Depending on scope, grant DCRA view only
access to LEED or Enterprise Green
Communities
• Don’t forget the Energy Code!
•
Green Construction Code Documentation
• Go online to buildgreendc.org and request a
Green and Energy Code Compliance System
(GECS) form. Fill out as requested.
•
Don’t forget the Energy Code!
Some more Advice…
• Your 3rd party plan review company should be reviewing
you for compliance with the Energy Code.
• Many do not.
• Pick your team wisely.
• Ask questions.
• You don’t want to arrive at permitting with a full set of
plans only to realize no one has looked at the Energy Code
Inspections
•
•
Energy Code inspections included in 3rd party
inspections
• DCRA Q&A’s the work
Green Code inspections
• Green Rough-in
• Green Final
• Only conducted by DCRA
• Schedule Online at buildgreendc.org
Certificate of Occupancy
•
•
•
Green Code
• Review inspections
• Collect documentation
LEED, EGC, etc. - Check to make sure the
accounts are active and projects are following
appropriate steps
GBA Private projects – Complete financial
security requirement (ADVICE: this can take
weeks to complete)
Hallmarks of a Successful Team
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Ask questions. Lots of them.
They do not leave things to chance
Are assertive about figuring out what regulations
apply to their project
Communicate openly and often with DCRA
Maintain important communications in writing
Take the time to understand regulations (before
permitting)
Put in the effort to update their internal process.
Visit our new website at
BuildGreenDC.org
Questions?
[email protected]