RAC UPDATE
February 1, 2016
Jim Brown, Chairman Doug McMonigle, Vice-Chair
Construction Codes Process
An outline of the Construction Code Adoption Process in Georgia is attached. Hopefully it will answer questions on why DCA is reviewing the current editions of the code(s) and the responsibilities of the State Code Advisory Committee (SCA), Task Forces and DCA Board and staff.
Review of New Edition of Electric Code
HBAG’s representative to the National Electric Code Task Code is Electrical Contractor, Rob Zapata, highly recommended from the BA of Metro Augusta. The Task Force has been reviewing the 2017 National Electric Code (NEC)
There are 9 members of the Electrical Code Review Committee (list attached), mostly electrical contractors, inspectors, engineers and fire officials. A comparison between the current 2014 NEC and 2017 NEC was given at the December 8 meeting at DCA. There is no expansion of GFCI’s or ACFI’s in the new edition; mainly because they are already required in most locations in the home.
Rob Zapata, Task Force member, introduced an amendment on behalf of HBAG at the January 12th meeting, to delete the requirement for the outlet behind the refrigerator to be AFCI (Arc Fault) protected. This requirement is in the currently adopted 2014 National Electric Code. HBAG submitted amendments to remove this provision in the 2014 code adoption process and also submitted an amendment to the SCAC, which did not pass.
Rob spoke of the difficulties with the AFCI installation, incompatibility with several brands of refrigerators, continued tripping and numerous warranty calls. HBAG Consultant for Regulatory Affairs, Bettie Sleeth and HBAG Vice-President and RAC Chairman, Jim Brown also spoke. They presented data from NAHB and the National Fire Incident Reporting System showing that there was no evidence of a need for this device and protection in newer homes. These devices have been extremely costly, and provide little or no protection. There has even been loss of food in some incidents.
Despite these facts, the Task Force rejected the amendment and voted to recommend to the State Codes Advisory Committee (SCA) that the 2017 National Electric Code being adopted with no amendments. The Task Force felt that this was a safety issue that was best resolved at the National level. NAHB has had no success with this issue at NFPA Electric Code hearings.
Documents with Technical Assistance on AFCI’s and Manufacturers’ Customer Service Hot Lines are on the Forum and HBAG website.
Review Process for New Edition of Energy Code:
Georgia is currently under 2009 International Energy Conservation (IECC) with Georgia Amendments. The Task Force is reviewing the 2015 IECC. Preliminary reports are due to the State Codes Advisory by April 2017 and final by July 2017 for approval and recommendation to the DCA Board for adoption effective January 1, 2018.
Neal Davis, Past President of HBAG and Greater Atlanta HBA, is the HBAG representative to the 2015 IECC Task Force which covers residential and commercial. (List of task force members attached). The Task Force is in the process of a very careful review and analysis of any changes and data.
Georgia was one of the first states to require mandatory blower door and duct blaster testing – pushed by GEFA and a federal mandate. Mandatory testing is now required in the IECC and most states have adopted Georgia’s methods. There was a high level of compliance in a recent study conducted by SEEA.
There are some positives to the 2015 IECC but there is also the potential for serious cost increases. On a positive note:
o A new Energy Rating Index (ERI) compliance path, a 4th option, has been added in addition to the current prescriptive, trade-off and performance based paths. HERS is the best known ERI.
o ERI gives more options in materials choice, technologies, trade-offs because of increased efficiency in HVAC and other appliances required by federal DOE manufacturing standards than the simulated performance path. There are some mandatory minimum requirements that cannot be traded away
o Continued improvements have been made in the ERI path that have been approved for the 2018 IECC. Brian Shanks, Beazer Homes, Atlanta HBA and member of Leading Builders of America code committee, is working with Neal to get these changes considered by the Task Force.
o Georgia Power is also providing information and modeling from their HERS program and from other states. Use of the HERS index is growing marketing trend.
Neal reported to RAC that he has identified the following as areas of major change and concern. HBAG is looking for opportunities for possible amendments:
o Code as written calls for much tighter ducts (4%) and building envelope (<5 ACH50 Climate Zone 2:<3 ACH50 for CZ: 3&4) (Down from <7 ACH50)
o Whole House mechanical ventilation is mandatory at those levels. Neal is researching and will be trying to insure that Georgia remains at levels that can be achieved without extremely costly ventilation systems.
o HBAG is hoping to make changes or amendments to these values. Proposals have been already been suggested to phase in these changes.
o The 2015 IECC Wall Impacts: R20 (cavity) insulation or R13 + 5 foam thermal sheathing in Climate Zone 3 and 4 (large portions of Georgia, may require 2 x 6 wall construction (not 2 X 4) in the prescriptive path. Neal is focusing on this issue to find the most cost effective and efficient methods to accomplish this or for possible amendments.
o Suggestions have been made to make DET verifiers and HERS raters totally independent third-party inspectors – no connection to builder or HVAC. While there may be some issues, HBAG can point to the overall success in compliance. HBAG will oppose any move to cut down on the number of qualified inspectors.
o Numerous other smaller items like programmable thermostats, more lighting efficiency. But Georgia is ahead with the DET program and testing and also with the upgrades to windows we have made over the past 2 cycles.
Please send any specific recommendations to Bettie or for Neal at . NAHB is providing research from the 15 other states that have already adopted the 2015 IECC – most have made changes. HBAG is always concerned about cost and the impact on housing. We need your input to help us come with cost effective energy saving recommendations for amendments.