Publications 
Sustainability requires a careful consideration of all factors associated with the construction, use, and eventual demolition of a building.
In early 2007, The International Code Council (ICC) released a policy position statement supporting green building, reflecting its commitment to social responsibility and expanding the boundaries of public safety. In that statement, the Code Council vowed to (1) educate its members about programs for achieving environmentally-responsible buildings, (2) participate in activities with other organisations to assure green building practices are safe and sustainable, and (3) advocate for green building in the legislative, regulatory, and codes arenas.
Concurrent with the release of the policy position statement, the Code Council moved its headquarters into a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified-building in Washington, D.C., and soon thereafter, created Sustainable Workplace Advocate Teams in each of its three regional offices. ICC’s activities were particularly visible at that time — and continue to be — but its commitment to sustainability is longstanding.
The Code Council was involved with green initiatives and sustainability long before it was a gleam in many other organisations’ eyes. ICC’s International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — the most widely adopted energy code in the world — in effect, marked the beginning of the green movement in the code arena. Subsequently, the Code Council developed the International Plumbing Code (IPC), the most widely adopted sustainable-minded plumbing code in the nation.
In early 2007, The International Code Council (ICC) released a policy position statement supporting green building, reflecting its commitment to social responsibility and expanding the boundaries of public safety. In that statement, the Code Council vowed to (1) educate its members about programs for achieving environmentally-responsible buildings, (2) participate in activities with other organisations to assure green building practices are safe and sustainable, and (3) advocate for green building in the legislative, regulatory, and codes arenas. Concurrent with the release of the policy position statement, the Code Council moved its headquarters into a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified-building in Washington, D.C., and soon thereafter, created Sustainable Workplace Advocate Teams in each of its three regional offices. ICC’s activities were particularly visible at that time — and continue to be — but its commitment to sustainability is longstanding.
The Code Council was involved with green initiatives and sustainability long before it was a gleam in many other organisations’ eyes. ICC’s International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — the most widely adopted energy code in the world — in effect, marked the beginning of the green movement in the code arena. Subsequently, the Code Council developed the International Plumbing Code (IPC), the most widely adopted sustainable-minded plumbing code in the nation.
For years, the IPC has incorporated innovative technologies like waterless urinals and detailed engineered designs permitting the installation of smaller, more precise water and drainage systems — resulting in the savings of millions of gallons of water, not to mention countless miles of conduit materials.
ICC also works internationally with the World Plumbing Council (WPC), the Institute of Plumbing, South Africa (IOPSA), the World Toilet Organization (WTO) and, most recently, the Sustainable Sanitation Alliance (SSA). This de facto coalition of industries has brought its Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas (PMG) staff to Zurich and Tokyo and to South Africa, Canada, and Macau. It is also in the development stages of providing global guidelines in conjunction with the WTO for safe sanitation and clean water, an initiative that will reduce disease and help millions of people worldwide.
The “Green Book”
Many professionals who use ICC’s Family of International Codes casually refer to the IPC as the “green book.” Little did anyone realise that the color of the International Plumbing Code’s cover would also come to symbolise the environmental sustainability movement.
It would be a flattering testament to ICC’s prescience if by the colour selection of the IPC’s cover, the Code Council had knowingly anticipated the global movement green would soon come to represent. Although no such credit can be taken, it can be said that the IPC’s contributors were thinking and acting in ways that guided its emergence as the code leader for sustainable plumbing installation.
Green building practices involve more than just selecting environmentally safe or recyclable materials. The designer must also see the bigger picture, often called the “cradle to grave” view. For example, he or she might choose cast iron drain, waste and vent piping because of the material’s recyclability. While this avoids the use of non-renewable petroleum resources for the production of plastic pipe, it may not be the most sustainable option. The broader perspective would consider other issues, including:
Depending on the answers to these questions, plastic drainage piping might be a better choice because petroleum resources and plastic pipe manufacturing plants might be closer to the jobsite, its manufacture consumes a relatively low amount of energy, it weighs substantially less and, thus, requires less energy to transport, and it can be recycled using low-energy methods.
This example is not intended to promote plastic over cast iron piping, only to serve as an illustration of the important green implications a designer should consider. If cast iron pipe is manufactured relatively near the jobsite or plastic pipe is not readily available in the region, iron may well be the best choice.
Another factor that might influence the choice of cast iron over plastic would be the extra energy and special fill materials needed to properly install plastic piping underground in poor soil conditions. The point is that sustainability requires a careful consideration of all factors associated with the construction, use, and eventual demolition of a building.
While the choice of materials used in plumbing systems today plays a part in green building practices, the most significant impact is achieved through efficiency: using less material. The IPC has always focused on methods to safeguard public health and safety using the least amount of materials possible. The following characteristics illustrate how the IPC supports sustainable plumbing installations.
There is a high probability that the 2012 edition of the IPC will incorporate additional sustainable methods; a single stack venting method and a siphonic roof drain method are proposed and awaiting contemplation by the technical committee. The IPC truly is and will remain a “green code,” not because of its cover but due to its progressive sustainable methods for plumbing installations and its long track record of allowing specially designed systems that assure a minimum level of safety, and, at the same time, a maximum level of efficiency
The ICC Energy Code has been the flagship for energy-saving installations and is now called out by name in President Obama‘s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). It is the most widely adopted energy code in the world, and the Code Council’s building and residential codes have always promoted building durability and safeguarded public health and welfare right along with public safety.
National Green Building Standard and Code
Even prior to the release of ICC’s green building policy position statement, the Code Council was involved in various green building-related projects. For example, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and ICC jointly created the Model Green Home Building Guidelines, which were released in 2005. In addition, ICC’s award-winning magazine, Building Safety Journal, and its electronic periodicals regularly include articles and news items on various aspects of the subject, and its regularly updated Green Building Webpage, www.ICCsafe.org/green, provides a wealth of resources.
ICC partnered in producing the ICC 700-2008 National Green Building Standard (NGBS) — which was widely seen as ICC’s most ambitious green effort. The initial draft of the standard was based on the Model Green Home Building Guidelines, and it is the first residential green building standard created and designated as an American National Standard by ANSI.
The NGBS is intended to rate the environmental impact of residential structures, including new construction, renovations, and additions. It can be administered by any adopting entity, such as a governmental jurisdiction, green building program, or any other adopting third-party compliance-assurance body. The standard addresses environmental concerns through consideration of:
The “Green Book”
Many professionals who use ICC’s Family of International Codes casually refer to the IPC as the “green book.” Little did anyone realise that the color of the International Plumbing Code’s cover would also come to symbolise the environmental sustainability movement.
It would be a flattering testament to ICC’s prescience if by the colour selection of the IPC’s cover, the Code Council had knowingly anticipated the global movement green would soon come to represent. Although no such credit can be taken, it can be said that the IPC’s contributors were thinking and acting in ways that guided its emergence as the code leader for sustainable plumbing installation.
Green building practices involve more than just selecting environmentally safe or recyclable materials. The designer must also see the bigger picture, often called the “cradle to grave” view. For example, he or she might choose cast iron drain, waste and vent piping because of the material’s recyclability. While this avoids the use of non-renewable petroleum resources for the production of plastic pipe, it may not be the most sustainable option. The broader perspective would consider other issues, including:
- How much energy does it take to manufacture the cast iron pipe and transport it to the jobsite?
- How much energy will it later take to remove the piping from the building and transport the iron to the nearest steel recycling facility?
- How much energy will it take to melt down the recycled material?
Depending on the answers to these questions, plastic drainage piping might be a better choice because petroleum resources and plastic pipe manufacturing plants might be closer to the jobsite, its manufacture consumes a relatively low amount of energy, it weighs substantially less and, thus, requires less energy to transport, and it can be recycled using low-energy methods.
This example is not intended to promote plastic over cast iron piping, only to serve as an illustration of the important green implications a designer should consider. If cast iron pipe is manufactured relatively near the jobsite or plastic pipe is not readily available in the region, iron may well be the best choice.
Another factor that might influence the choice of cast iron over plastic would be the extra energy and special fill materials needed to properly install plastic piping underground in poor soil conditions. The point is that sustainability requires a careful consideration of all factors associated with the construction, use, and eventual demolition of a building.
While the choice of materials used in plumbing systems today plays a part in green building practices, the most significant impact is achieved through efficiency: using less material. The IPC has always focused on methods to safeguard public health and safety using the least amount of materials possible. The following characteristics illustrate how the IPC supports sustainable plumbing installations.
- Compared to other plumbing codes, the dimensions of drain, waste and vent pipe are generally smaller for the same number and type of fixtures.
- Thanks to the wide selection of venting options, less piping is needed to accomplish the same task.
- Vent terminals can terminate through outside walls versus through the roof, thereby reducing vent-piping length.
- Air admittance valve venting options can significantly reduce the length of vent piping to outdoor terminals.
- Combination drain-and-vent systems can use smaller drain-pipe sizing than under other codes and may eliminate the need for multiple vent pipes.
- Circuit venting methods within the IPC eliminate redundant vent piping.
- Waste stack venting, a material-efficient method for the installation of vertical drainage pipe systems, is another permissible option.
- Some approved engineered vent system designs allow reduced vent system pipe sizes.
- Water pipe sizing generally is smaller for the same number and types of fixtures.
- Manifold water distribution systems can be used, resulting in smaller water pipe sizes and significant water and energy savings.
- Waterless urinals can achieve enormous water savings and do not require “backup” water supply, greatly reducing the amount of pipe used.
- An often-asked question is: “Does the IPC promote water conservation?” The answer is, yes. As required by the Energy Policy Act of 1992, the IPC mandates limits on maximum flow rates and consumption for certain plumbing fixtures. Waterless urinal technology is also included by the IPC since 2006 edition.
There is a high probability that the 2012 edition of the IPC will incorporate additional sustainable methods; a single stack venting method and a siphonic roof drain method are proposed and awaiting contemplation by the technical committee. The IPC truly is and will remain a “green code,” not because of its cover but due to its progressive sustainable methods for plumbing installations and its long track record of allowing specially designed systems that assure a minimum level of safety, and, at the same time, a maximum level of efficiency
The ICC Energy Code has been the flagship for energy-saving installations and is now called out by name in President Obama‘s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). It is the most widely adopted energy code in the world, and the Code Council’s building and residential codes have always promoted building durability and safeguarded public health and welfare right along with public safety.
National Green Building Standard and Code
Even prior to the release of ICC’s green building policy position statement, the Code Council was involved in various green building-related projects. For example, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and ICC jointly created the Model Green Home Building Guidelines, which were released in 2005. In addition, ICC’s award-winning magazine, Building Safety Journal, and its electronic periodicals regularly include articles and news items on various aspects of the subject, and its regularly updated Green Building Webpage, www.ICCsafe.org/green, provides a wealth of resources.ICC partnered in producing the ICC 700-2008 National Green Building Standard (NGBS) — which was widely seen as ICC’s most ambitious green effort. The initial draft of the standard was based on the Model Green Home Building Guidelines, and it is the first residential green building standard created and designated as an American National Standard by ANSI.
The NGBS is intended to rate the environmental impact of residential structures, including new construction, renovations, and additions. It can be administered by any adopting entity, such as a governmental jurisdiction, green building program, or any other adopting third-party compliance-assurance body. The standard addresses environmental concerns through consideration of:
- Land Conservation
- Material Resource Conservation.
- Energy Conservation.
- Water Conservation..
- Indoor Air Quality
- Owner Education Regarding the Maintenance and Operation of Green Buildings.
NOT SO FAST
The International Code Council launched its International Green Construction Code (IGCC) initiative on June 29th, which will reduce energy usage and the carbon footprint of commercial buildings. Entitled “IGCC: Safe and Sustainable By the Book,” the initiative is committed to develop a model code focused on new and existing commercial buildings. It will focus on building design and performance.
The International Code Council launched its International Green Construction Code (IGCC) initiative on June 29th, which will reduce energy usage and the carbon footprint of commercial buildings. Entitled “IGCC: Safe and Sustainable By the Book,” the initiative is committed to develop a model code focused on new and existing commercial buildings. It will focus on building design and performance.
Buildings consume approximately 40 percent of energy used and produce about the same amount of the nation’s carbon emissions. The intent is to develop a code that will stand as a useful and credible regulatory framework for creating a greener commercial building stock.
The final draft will be made available in 2010 as a resource document before it moves through the development process. The American Institute of Architects and ASTM will have visible participation in the development process.
An Active Commitment Worldwide
As of late, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi have committed to the adoption of the entire set of International Codes and are working in concert with the Code Council to promote not only safety in construction, but education, certification and sustainability. Several more countries are studying the benefits of instituting the ICC family codes and practices as well and will make announcements soon, including Jamaica.
As of late, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi have committed to the adoption of the entire set of International Codes and are working in concert with the Code Council to promote not only safety in construction, but education, certification and sustainability. Several more countries are studying the benefits of instituting the ICC family codes and practices as well and will make announcements soon, including Jamaica.
The Code Council advocates for green building on Capitol Hill and offers many new green publications at the ICC bookstore, and attends and exhibits at green building conferences, expos and educational events around the world. I welcome your input and comments at jpeters@iccsafe.org
| Comments |
|
Only registered users can write comments! | Register Here
September 2010 | Now available.
