RECOMMENDATION:
Approve an ordinance to adopt an updated City of Houston Commercial Energy Code, including local administrative provisions, to coordinate with local ordinances and construction practices, conform with Texas state law, and comply with the minimum provisions and adopted regulations established by the Texas State Energy Conservation Office.
SPECIFIC EXPLANATION:
The City of Houston Commercial Energy Code is updated periodically to adopt newer versions of nationally promulgated codes which are then amended to meet local standards. As published in the January 1, 2016 edition of the Texas Register, the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) amended 34 Texas Administrative Code §19.53 to establish the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) as the energy code for commercial construction, effective November 1, 2016. Accordingly, all local jurisdictions must comply with the new energy code by November 1, 2016. A 30 day period will be allowed for the codes to take effect after adoption by City Council in order to provide ample time for industry to prepare. State law requires at least a minimum of 30 days prior to enactment. Timely adoption of this code is further recommended because the City is under review from the Insurance Services Office which will provide a grade pursuant to the Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule based on current codes among other items. This grading schedule affects the City’s insurance rates with regard to how well the City can mitigate against natural hazards. The Houston Fire Department and the City’s participation in the National Flood Insurance Program are also affected by this grading schedule.
The IECC is published by the International Code Council. The IECC is the nationally recognized energy code adopted in most U.S. jurisdictions. The IECC regulates energy efficiency for commercial construction, along with the administrative provisions for enforcement.
ASHRAE 90.1 is a U.S. standard that provides minimum requirements for energy efficient designs for buildings except for low-rise residential buildings. The proposed local amendments to these codes would set up certain administrative policies and procedures as well as modify other base code principles to be more applicable to the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Houston.
The proposed amendments were reviewed and recommended by the Energy Committee of the Construction Industry Council during a series of meetings, and the amendments were posted on the City of Houston website for public comment.
This item was presented at the Transportation, Technology, and Infrastructure Committee meeting on October 17, 2016.
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Dale A. Rudick, P.E., Director
Department of Public Works and Engineering