November 18, 2011
After two years of development, the International Code Council (ICC) has launched the International Green Construction Code (IgCC), which is aimed at establishing a national standard of green building design and performance to significantly reduce energy usage and greenhouse gases in new and existing buildings. The code establishes baseline standards for all aspects of building design and construction, and will apply to all new and renovated commercial buildings and residential structures larger than three stories. The ICC is expected to release the full code in March 2012.
IgCC vs. LEED
While the IgCC and the LEED certification system share many common features, they differ significantly in the commitment required from developers. While LEED is voluntary and based on implementation by individual developers, the IgCC is intended to become part of a local jurisdiction’s building code. Jurisdictions that adopt the IgCC are expected to integrate the code with their existing building codes to create a new regulatory baseline for green construction.
The IgCC is not, however, intended to make LEED certification redundant. The IgCC is meant to enhance and advance the cause of sustainability in buildings. Once the IgCC is implemented widely, it is hoped that voluntary certification programs will build on this higher level of sustainable construction standards.
Flexibility
Another hallmark of the IgCC is the flexibility it affords local jurisdictions to tailor the code to their unique circumstances. Jurisdictions may include their own requirements, such as light pollution control, and may make exceptions to the code. The IgCC also establishes a system of 14 project “electives,” and encourages jurisdictions to require individual projects to implement one of the electives (e.g. recycled content standards), in addition to the basic IgCC code.
Some Highlights from the IgCC
Site Development & Land Use: Eliminates practically all greenfield development and includes guidelines for habitat protection, irrigation, erosion control, site disturbance, and site restoration.
Energy Conservation and Efficiency: Requires total efficiency to be “51% of the energy allowable in the 2000 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). Building envelope performance must exceed the IECC threshold by 10%.”
Material Resource Conservation and Efficiency: At least 50% of construction waste must be diverted from landfills, and at least 55% of building materials must be salvaged, recycled-content, recyclable, biobased, or indigenous. A building service life plan is required and the building must be designed to have a minimum 60-year service life.
Water Conservation and Efficiency: Establishes maximum flow rates for fixtures and water consumption limits for appliances depending on the building type. Includes extensive provisions for rainwater storage and graywater systems.
via Safe & sustainable by the book: 1st national green building code approved – Lexology.