The Oklahoma Uniform BuildingĀ CodeĀ Commission rejected a proposal by its Energy Conservation Technical Committee to upgrade the stateās residential energy conservationĀ code.
The commission, composed of builders, subcontractors, engineers,Ā codeĀ officials, and other construction industry professionals, voted unanimously against the committeeās research and recommendations. That proposal was based on the 2015 International ResidentialĀ Code, a less stringent version than the most recent 2018Ā code.
The chairman of the committee expects the commissioners to derail the entire effort to beef up the stateāsĀ code.Ā Many members of the commissionĀ opposed the committeeās work from the onset, citing concerns that theĀ codeĀ would add construction costs and would amount to a government mandate, he said.
One commissioner quoted in an article in theĀ Oklahoman, pointed to ātremendous escalation in demand which has caused rapid increases in home prices,ā in recent years.Ā In addition, the current labor shortage would challenge jurisdictions to increase the levels of inspections, he said. Another complaint: a shortage of energy raters would make it difficult to test every new home.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Apr 29, 2020
New York City tightens restrictions on construction during pandemic
Dept. of Buildings has issued more than 100 violations and stop-work orders.
Codes and Standards | Apr 28, 2020
ASHRAE, WELL panels to tackle revising standards to limit spread of viruses in buildings
Will examine ways to reduce infectious threats through building designs and operations.
Codes and Standards | Apr 24, 2020
Dept. of Labor issues guidance for respiratory protection during N95 shortage
Elastomeric respirators or powered, air-purifying respirators, and expired N95s are allowable alternatives
Codes and Standards | Apr 23, 2020
Group will create ecosystem for smart building data
Seven Finnish companies aim to integrate all technical systems into a single platform.
Codes and Standards | Apr 23, 2020
COVID-19 epidemic demonstrates value of flexible hospital space
Some rooms being repurposed for ICU care.
Codes and Standards | Apr 15, 2020
Embodied carbon footprint can be reduced by using conventional materials
High-SCM concrete, and cellulose and wood fiber insulation among the greener alternatives.
Coronavirus | Apr 13, 2020
COVID-19 alert: City conducts a 'virtual building inspection' to allow Starbucks and bank to open
Bothell, Wash., issues a certificate of occupancyĀ to developer after inspecting the property online.Ā
Codes and Standards | Apr 13, 2020
Design competition focuses on reducing urban heat island effect
Cool Abu Dhabi aims to transform urban life in the Middle East.
Codes and Standards | Apr 13, 2020
What building science says about reducing COVID-19 transmission
Impact of temperature and relative humidity is unclear.
Codes and Standards | Apr 9, 2020
Owners retrofitting properties, monitoring performance during epidemic
Covid-19 outbreak may lead employers to reevaluate office commitments.