Federal Building Codes - Commercial

DOE recently updated the requirements for energy efficiency in new Federal commercial and multi-family high-rise residential buildings (10 CFR 433: Energy Efficiency Standards for the Design and Construction of New Federal Commercial and Multi-family High-Rise Residential Buildings). A new final rule was issued on August 10, 2011 and becomes effective on October 11, 2011. The new rulemaking updates the baseline standard in 10 CFR 433 to ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2007. Read the complete Federal Register notice (76 FR 49279). Access the DOE rulemaking docket for this rule at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=EERE-2011-BT-STD-0005-0001. View 10 CFR 433. (Note that e-CFR data is updated every few days, so this version of 10 CFR 433 will show the previous requirements until October 11, 2011).

The final rule establishes a requirement for new Federal buildings to achieve a level of energy efficiency 30% greater than 90.1-2007 when life-cycle cost-effective. If the additional 30% savings is not life-cycle cost-effective, an agency must evaluate the cost-effectiveness of alternate designs at successive decrements below 30% (e.g., 25%, 20%, etc.) in order to identify the most life-cycle cost-effective design for that building. Life-cycle cost-effectiveness is to be established using the methodology defined in 10 CFR Part 436, subpart A.

Federal Building Codes – Previous Rulemakings

DOE previously issued both a final rule and interim rule related to 10 CFR 433. You may, review both the final rule and also the interim final rule, which contains more details.

The previous final rule was issued on December 21, 2007, and became effective on January 22, 2008. The interim final rule was published on December 4, 2006, and became effective January 3, 2007. The requirements in the previous rule were based on ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004.

The previous final rule established a requirement for new Federal buildings to achieve a level of energy efficiency 30% greater than 90.1-2004 when life-cycle cost-effective. If the additional 30% savings is not life-cycle cost-effective, an agency must evaluate the cost-effectiveness of alternate designs at successive decrements below 30% (e.g., 25%, 20%, etc.) in order to identify the most life-cycle cost-effective design for that building. Life-cycle cost-effectiveness is to be established using the methodology defined in 10 CFR Part 436, subpart A.

Webcast Series

FEMP will be developing new training webcasts in 2012 to help Federal agencies comply with the new Federal building energy efficiency requirements. FEMP presented a seven-part webcast series in 2008 to help Federal agencies comply with the Federal building energy efficiency requirements in place at that time. Many of the webcasts previously presented are still applicable under the new rule. Sessions included:

• Overview of Federal Building Energy Efficiency Mandates/An Introduction to Building Life-Cycle Costing
• Overview of the Requirements of ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004
• Appendix G of 90.1-2004
• Integrated Building Design
• Sustainable Design
• Advanced Energy Design Guides
• How to Build 30% Better

Handouts and videos are available for most sessions.

Federal Building Codes - Residential

DOE recently updated the requirements for energy efficiency in new Federal low-rise residential buildings (10 CFR 435, Subpart A: Energy Efficiency Standards for New Federal Low-Rise Residential Buildings). A new final rule was issued on August 10, 2011 and becomes effective on October 11, 2011. The new rulemaking updates the baseline standard in 10 CFR 435, Subpart A to the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). Read the complete Federal Register notice (76 FR 49279). Access the DOE rulemaking docket for this rule at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=EERE-2011-BT-STD-0005-0001. View 10 CFR 435, Subpart A. (Note that e-CFR data is updated every few days, so this version of 10 CFR 433 will show the previous requirements until October 11, 2011).

The final rule establishes a requirement for new Federal buildings to achieve a level of energy efficiency 30% greater than the 2009 IECC when life-cycle cost-effective. If the additional 30% savings is not life-cycle cost-effective, an agency must evaluate the cost-effectiveness of alternate designs at successive decrements below 30% (e.g., 25%, 20%, etc.) in order to identify the most life-cycle cost-effective design for that building. Life-cycle cost-effectiveness is to be established using the methodology defined in 10 CFR Part 436, subpart A.

Federal Building Codes – Previous Rulemakings

Designs started on or after January 3, 2007 and before October 11, 2011

The Federal code for low-rise residential building energy efficiency for which design for construction began on or after January 3, 2007 and before October 11, 2011 can be obtained in the Code of Federal Regulations in Title 10, Part 435, subpart A, sections 435.1 through 435.8.

The new rule requires that new Federal residential low-rise (3 stories or less above grade) buildings achieve an energy consumption level of at least 30% below those set by the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), if cost effective. At an absolute minimum, the 2004 IECC must be complied with.

The Federal agencies procuring new housing are responsible for complying with this code, including determining levels of energy efficiency that can be achieved cost effectively.

Further information can be found in the Federal Register Notice announcing the new rule. See "Reference Resources" in page 4 of the PDF file in the notice.

Designs started before January 3, 2007

The Federal code for low-rise residential building energy efficiency for which design for construction began before January 3, 2007 can be obtained at the same link as for the new rule above but in sections 435.300 through 435.306 (Subpart C).

The requirements in the old Federal residential code are determined on a project-specific basis using software called COSTSAFR. Federal staff must run COSTSAFR to generate a project-specific point system that accounts for factors such as local fuel costs, climate, and construction costs for energy efficiency measures. The point system is completed by the building designer and contains options for energy efficiency measures such as insulation levels. The designer selects energy efficiency measures and obtains the points for these selections. The more points, the more energy efficient the design. A sufficient number of points must be obtained to achieve compliance with the code.

Designers can use the CAPS software or pencil and paper to complete the point system.

Note: COSTSAFR and CAPS are intended for use only in determining code compliance and do not give design guidance and feedback.

Contact Robert Lucas for more information.

Download COSTSAFR and CAPS*

* Run the software .exe file after downloading to install the software.