ASHRAE Encourages 90.1 Use for Code Compliance
Staff -- Consulting-Specifying Engineer, 10/1/2004
Using ASHRAE Standard 90.1, with supporting educational and compliance materials, is the best way to ensure that commercial and high-rise residential buildings meet model building codes and the professional standard of care, ASHRAE officials emphatically state.
Most consulting engineers are probably already well aware that under the Energy Policy Act of 1992, ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-1999, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, is the commercial building reference standard for state building energy codes.
In addition, the 2001 standard is included in the 2003 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and the 2003 NFPA 5000 Building Construction and Safety Code.
Standard 90.1 is referenced directly in Chapter 7 of the 2003 IECC, which states that commercial and high-rise residential buildings are in compliance with the IECC if in compliance with 90.1-2001.
The IECC also allows users to satisfy the requirements of the code using either provisions in Chapter 8 or the applicable provisions in Standard 90.1.
The NFPA uses the standard as its sole criteria for energy conservation.
"Whether a state adopts the IECC, NFPA 5000 or Standard 90.1 directly, ASHRAE applauds their efforts for advancing energy efficiency," says Ron Vallort, ASHRAE president. "And while ASHRAE celebrates advancements of establishment of minimum requirements, we continue our work to encourage engineers, designers and others to increase energy efficiency by going beyond the requirements of the standard."
ASHRAE has developed numerous educational materials to help engineers achieve compliance. "ASHRAE [provides] user's manual for 90.1; courses that include webcasts; a train-the-trainer program that educates code officials, members and others on the standard; and sessions at the society's semi-annual meetings," says Vallort.
But ASHRAE has gone even further than supporting mere compliance. The society has also developed documents that will result in 30%, 50% and 75% more energy savings than Standard 90.1. The first of these documents, which will help achieve 30% percent savings for small office buildings, is scheduled for publication this year.
