CALGreen Available from International Code Council; Training, Certification Programs Coming Soon

California’s First Mandatory Green Building Code, effective Jan. 1, includes provisions to reduce energy usage, conserve water and improve environmental quality.

The International Code Council in cooperation with the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) announces the release of CALGreen, also known as the 2010 California Green Building Standards Code, Title 24, Part 11. It is California’s first adopted statewide mandatory green code. The code becomes mandatory on Jan. 1.

When you purchase CALGreen from the Code Council you also get a free subscription to receive all CALGreen updates throughout the code’s lifecycle. All the 2010 California Codes are currently available and include a free subscription service for state updates. For more information and to purchase, visit www.iccsafe.org/ca2010, or call 1-800-786-4452.

“CALGreen is a fundamental step in mainstreaming green building design and reducing the carbon footprint buildings have on the state’s environment,” said California Building Standards Commission Executive Dave Walls. “In an effort to assist with the implementation of the code, we have been working diligently to ensure that stakeholders statewide are familiar with the new requirements long before the 2011 effective date.”

To support CALGreen, the Code Council will be launching a comprehensive training program. Training will provide in-depth courses for inspectors, plan reviewers and other building professionals. A number of certification practice tests also will be developed. Seminars will be available to help jurisdictions adopt and implement CALGreen. The Council also will roll out a certification program in partnership with CALBO (California Building Officials) to validate the competency of inspectors and plan reviewers on their understanding of and ability to implement the provisions of CALGreen. Details on the certification exams and training are anticipated to be available soon.

CALGreen includes provisions to regulate the efficiency and conservation of energy, water, and construction materials to improve environmental quality while creating safe and sustainable homes and buildings. For example, the code will require all new buildings constructed in California to reduce water consumption by 20 percent, divert 50 percent of construction waste from landfills and install low-pollutant-emitting materials. The code also requires nonresidential buildings to have separate meters for indoor and outdoor water use, moisture-sensing irrigation systems for larger landscape projects, and mandatory inspections of energy systems (e.g., heat furnace, air conditioner and mechanical equipment) for nonresidential buildings more than 10,000 square feet. Appendices include voluntary provisions for all of these occupancies plus hospitals.

“Looking to the future, CALGreen will continue to evolve and we look forward to the opportunity to engage in continued discussions with our stakeholders to modify and expand the code’s benefit to the environment,” Walls said.

While CALGreen doesn’t become mandatory until Jan. 1, some California cities, including Calabasas and Irvine, already have adopted CALGreen.

“California is well-known for its pioneering spirit in issues related to protecting our environment for future generations,” said Mark Johnson, ICC Senior Vice President and Evaluation Service President, based in ICC’s Whittier, Calif., office. “We are very pleased to have the opportunity to play a significant role in the release of the first mandatory green building code for California. We look forward to providing continued products and services that will assist California in raising the standard for safe, sustainable construction.”

The CBSC also has adopted several 2010 California codes in Title 24, which become effective Jan. 1 and are available from the Code Council:

• 2010 California Administrative Code, Title 24 Part 1
• 2010 California Building Code, Title 24 Part 2 (Parts 8 & 10 included)
• 2010 California Residential Code, Title 24 Part 2.5 (NEW)
• 2010 California Energy Code, Title 24 Part 6
• 2010 California Fire Code, Title 24 Part 9
• 2010 California Green Building Standards Code, Title 24 Part 11
• 2010 California Referenced Standards Code, Title 24 Part 12

ICC, a membership association dedicated to building safety, fire prevention and energy efficiency, develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties and states choose the International Codes, building safety codes developed by the International Code Council. The International Codes also serve as the basis for construction of federal properties around the world, and as a reference for many nations outside the United States.