flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Green building advocates erect icehouses on Penn. state capitol steps to make point on codes

Codes and Standards

Green building advocates erect icehouses on Penn. state capitol steps to make point on codes

State’s codes have not been updated since 2009.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | June 19, 2017

Photo: Jason Burmeister, flickr Creative Commons

Advocates aiming to prompt Pennsylvania legislators to update the state’s building codes erected two icehouses on the steps of the state Capitol in Harrisburg to make a point about energy efficiency.

One 8-foot-by-8-foot icehouse was built to current code; the other was built to passive house energy efficiency standards. In about three weeks, the project’s designers expect that the half-ton of ice in the less efficient shed will have melted completely, while the block in the high-performance building will still be about half of its original size.

Pennsylvania has not updated its energy codes since 2009. Advocates also want state lawmakers to reform the process for adopting new codes.

The Senate and House passed bills this spring to revise the state’s building code adoption process. A 2011 law requires an advisory board to approve each code change with a two-thirds vote.

Related Stories

Codes and Standards | Sep 1, 2017

U.S. markets with the largest hotel construction pipeline

New York has the largest hotel construction pipeline of any U.S. market.

Codes and Standards | Aug 30, 2017

Trump rescinds elevation requirements for federally funded buildings and infrastructure

Flood protection on subsidized housing, hospitals, and other public buildings rolled back.

Codes and Standards | Aug 30, 2017

Stormwater runoff mitigation pays off for some building owners

Rain gardens, green roofs, cisterns, and rainwater recycling add value.

Codes and Standards | Aug 28, 2017

Commercial properties address state carbon-reduction policies

EV charging stations, batteries, and microgrid technology are all part of effort to meet demand for cleaner power.

Codes and Standards | Aug 24, 2017

OSHA silica dust exposure enforcement begins Sept. 23

Vacuum dust collection, water-delivery systems, and respirators will be required.

Codes and Standards | Aug 18, 2017

Cool roofs may increase air pollution

California’s requirement for cool roofs on new non-residential buildings could promote smog.

Codes and Standards | Aug 17, 2017

Black market sales of OSHA training certifications plague New York City construction industry

Task force formed to get fake training cards off the streets and workers properly trained.

Codes and Standards | Aug 16, 2017

Big changes coming to Ontario building code

Proposals include solar-ready roofs, more stringent heating/cooling efficiency requirements, and graywater reuse.

Codes and Standards | Aug 14, 2017

New edition of AISC Steel Construction Manual now available

Includes the 2016 Specification for Structural Steel Buildings.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category

Reconstruction & Renovation

Movement to protect historic buildings raises sharp criticism

While the movement to preserve historic buildings has widespread support, it also has some sharp critics with well-funded opposition groups springing up in recent years. Some opponents are linked to the Stand Together Foundation, founded and bankrolled by the Koch family’s conservative philanthropic organization, according to a column in Governing magazine.




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021