The ASHRAE/IES energy standard would have multiple compliance options to ensure verification of delivered building envelope performance under a new proposal.
“Uncontrolled air leakage has long been an unquantified variable in load calculations for buildings large and small,” ASHRAE said in a news release. “It has also been identified as the ‘weak link’ in many otherwise well insulated building enclosures.” Proposed envelope testing, inspection and verification procedures are intended to help deliver better performing building envelopes, and help to reduce errors associated with envelope air leakage in equipment sizing calculations.
This proposal, Addendum l, is one of 14 proposed addenda to ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2013, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, now open for public comment. To comment, visit www.ashrae.org/publicreviews.
The proposal provides for multiple compliance methods including whole building air leakage testing, continuous air barrier inspection, and performance verification procedures. The proposed changes would likely have an impact on first costs, but the long-term savings are expected to more than justify these costs. The costs of the verification procedures will go down over time as builders become more familiar with envelope performance testing, inspection and other verification techniques and their construction practices improve due to the important feedback they will provide, ASHRAE says.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Nov 3, 2016
OSHA proposes safety standards changes to reduce employer costs
The changes include clarification on excavation standard and reporting job-related hearing loss.
Codes and Standards | Nov 2, 2016
New resources available to reduce plug loads using advanced power strips
A tenant education program can boost efficiency in office buildings.
Codes and Standards | Oct 26, 2016
Design industry lagging in meeting AIA 2030 Commitment goals, says AIA
Only 4% of projects have met the 70% energy savings target.
Codes and Standards | Oct 25, 2016
Concerns over megaquake in Oregon provoke debate over school building standards
According to advocates, communities should consider increased resiliency.
Codes and Standards | Oct 24, 2016
Building energy codes projected to save $126 billion in energy costs from 2010-2040
Commercial and residential structures are both included in the total.
Codes and Standards | Oct 24, 2016
Fall hazards, hazard communication lead 2016 OSHA top violations
The 2016 list bears a strong resemblance to the 2015 list.
Codes and Standards | Oct 21, 2016
Green Bond Guidelines for the Real Estate Sector updated
The market growth is a signal of future opportunities.
Codes and Standards | Oct 20, 2016
What top-ranked energy efficiency states are doing right on codes, utility mandates
Calif., and Mass., use aggressive targets to lead nation.
Codes and Standards | Oct 20, 2016
New cross-laminated timber fire tests back proponents of high-rise wood structures
'Demonstrating for the first time the feasibility of tall mass timber buildings in the U.S.’
Codes and Standards | Oct 14, 2016
ASCE issues first tsunami-safe building standards
The new standards will become part of international building code.