Fairfax County, Va., recently grappled with permitting its first project that makes use of rainwater harvesting.
The county’s new sustainability requirements prompted the developer of a three-block project to propose inclusion of rainwater harvesting. But, the system was not covered in the county’s 2012 codes that laid the basis for the newest sustainability requirements.
A county code official researched the matter and discovered that the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) had just approved a new standard—CSA B805-18/ICC 805-2018 Rainwater Harvesting Systems Standard. It was designed to help code officials to develop guidelines that work with existing building codes.
An official with the International Codes Council believes that as the new standard becomes better known, a lot more rainwater harvesting projects will be undertaken.
Related Stories
School Construction | May 3, 2016
Florida clamps down on school construction spending
Critics fear rules will hamper ability to build schools with desired features.
Resiliency | May 2, 2016
Connecticut to develop new code standards for resiliency
Expected more frequent severe weather events due to climate change prompts review.
Contractors | Apr 29, 2016
OSHA issues advisory to protect workers from Zika virus
Construction industry workers considered at high risk.
Codes and Standards | Apr 28, 2016
New research finds 30 measures to significantly cut energy use
ASHRAE’s prescription cuts across all building types and climates.
Codes and Standards | Apr 27, 2016
Florida gives developers more time to install first responder radio signal systems
Expensive upgrades can be postponed for several years.
Codes and Standards | Apr 25, 2016
San Francisco becomes first big U.S. city to require solar panels on new buildings
Pertains to commercial and residential buildings shorter than 10 stories.
Codes and Standards | Apr 25, 2016
GSA adopts SITES land development and management rating system
Federal agency will use for properties with and without buildings.
Wood | Apr 22, 2016
Revised 2015 Manual for Engineered Wood Construction available
American Wood Council Document offers design information for structural applications.
Codes and Standards | Apr 20, 2016
OSHA updates eye and face protection standards in final rule
Becomes effective April 26.
Codes and Standards | Apr 18, 2016
Efficiency finance pilot project to spur retrofits on existing buildings
EDF and PG&E team up on interest-free loans for qualified projects.
