BCAP: State Ambassadors to Improve Compliance with Building Energy Codes
March 28, 2011 — The Alliance’s Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP) is appointing code officials in several states to educate local building inspectors about energy codes.
By spreading knowledge of building energy codes, the Energy Codes Ambassadors Project (ECAP) – which launched late 2010 in Idaho – aims to vastly improve inspectors’ enforcement of energy codes, as well as increase the codes’ positive impact on building occupants.
“Energy codes benefit home buyers, owners and anyone who works in newly constructed or renovated buildings,” said Mike DeWein, BCAP’s technical director. “These benefits include lower utility bills, greater comfort and better, healthier air quality.”
ECAP Helps States Meet Compliance
As a partnership program between BCAP and the International Code Council (ICC), ECAP is training code officials certified in ICC energy code to act as “peer-to-peer” mentors for local building inspectors. With such on-the-ground, on-on-one education, ECAP aims to help participating states get 90% of their buildings compliant with model codes by 2017.
BCAP’s Online Code Environment & Advocacy Network website offers a wealth of information about model codes – namely, the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code and ASHRAE 90.1-2007.
ECAP Begins in Idaho, Plans Expansion
The six Idaho Ambassadors – who are the first to have the program up and running – provide code assistance and educational sessions at regional energy conferences. For instance, on March 14 the Ambassadors met for a day of training that focused on HVAC and lighting issues.
The Idaho team’s training sessions were led by K Energy, The University of Idaho, EcoEdge, City of Idaho Falls and Russ Goyen. The Ambassadors will present what they learned to industry personnel in April and May.
“The Idaho Ambassadors take seriously their role in delivery of a 90% compliant state. They are actively working to ensure that all Idaho jurisdictions fully understand the issues and processes for energy code compliance and are willing to be true mentors to colleagues and the industry,” said Idaho Energy Code Ambassador Ken Baker.
In addition to running in Idaho, ECAP has started to roll out in Illinois and Kentucky and is expected to spur interest in other states.
Where can I find information on building codes for portable classrooms?
Portable classrooms need to meet the same building codes as site built structures at the time of their construction (in most cases IBC) . The confusing part is when a portable classrom is relocated. Most states have a statewide labeling program to regulate modular and off site construction. The building is inspected by a qualified third party and issued a state insignia. That label indicates to the local code offical that the building itself met all code requirements in the state at the time it was built and can therefore be relocated anywhere in the state without triggering new code requirements (if unaltered). Its considered an existing building. The local has jurisidiction over the site, utility hookups, set backs, etc. but the building itself is deemed code compliant with the state label.
