Stricter building standards delayed

California already has the most stringent energy efficiency standards for new construction in the nation, but an update to make these standards even stricter was postponed due to a computer glitch this week, according to a report in the Desert Sun . The code, known as Title 24, was set to take effect on Aug. 1, but will be delayed until Jan. 1, 2010.

Adopted in April 2008, the update will eventually kick up the kW-saving regulations by 15% to 20% more than the current code passed in 2005.

The glitch was discovered in custom building modeling software that will be used to monitor accuracy and control quality. "The inspectors have to be trained; they have to train the architects and engineers that are going to work with (the software)," said Fred Bell, executive director of the California Building Industry Association , Desert Chapter.

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