Understanding the District s Green and Energy Code February 10, 2016

Transcription

1 Understanding the District s Green and Energy Code February 10, 2016 David Epley Green Building and Sustainability Program Manager Green.Building@dc.gov

2 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.

3 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.

4 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

5 Available at BuildGreenDC.org

6 Available at BuildGreenDC.org

7 Available at BuildGreenDC.org

8 Available at BuildGreenDC.org

9 Available at BuildGreenDC.org

10 DCRA s Green Building Division Meet folks where they re at

11 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.

12 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 green.building@dc.gov Walk-in office hours from 1-2PM everyday Educational Resources (e.g. sectional reference guides, green building program manual)

13 Applicability of Regulations Dave s Recommended Thought Process Prior to Design: 1. All projects must comply with the 2013 DC Energy Conservation Code. Do not overlook it and find a capable design team. 2. 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

14 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

15 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

16 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)

17 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!

18 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!

19 Available at BuildGreenDC.org

20 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 (green.building@dc.gov) to determine how to proceed

21 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

22 Navigating Energy Verification Sheets 2) Project Pathways & Info. 3) Key 5) Measures 1) Title Block 4) Directions Summary

23 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!

24 Some more Advice Your 3 rd 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

25 Inspections Energy Code inspections included in 3 rd 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

26 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)

27 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.

28 Visit our new website at BuildGreenDC.org Questions?