Who is actually following the energy section of the Building Codes?

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Sparky5150

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The Florida Building Code requires that offices use only 1.1 watt per square ft.
Corridors are 0.5.

Are other engineers using this as exact or taking some liberties and maybe using it as a guide.
 
Chapter 13 is being strictly enforced here in SW Florida or at least at my jurisdiction. If all elements of Chapter 13 are not specified on the submitted permitting documents, they will be returned for revision.
 
bph, do you review the energy calculation forms only or do you actually check an office lighting circuit to see if it is only loaded to the prescribed watts per square feet?
 
bphgravity said:
Chapter 13 is being strictly enforced here in SW Florida or at least at my jurisdiction. If all elements of Chapter 13 are not specified on the submitted permitting documents, they will be returned for revision.
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I think allowed lighting power is the same here in California. As far as enforcement, it depends on the jurisdiction. It not a safety issue so most don't adhere to the letter of the requirements. I say build more power plants with all the money I pay every month to the utility company.
 
We enforce the energy code in my jurisdiction. The GC must submit a lighting compliance form before a permit is issued. At final we do check the installed lighting against the compliance documentation and if it doesn't match, they don't get a CO.
 
The Florida Building Commission responded to an inquiry from the BCAI board on enforcement of the Chapter 13 Energy efficiency requirements. It has been stipulated by the commission and the board that Chapter 13 enforcement must be as stringent as any other FBC requirement.

We verfiy compliance at both plan review and during field inspections.
 
We go even lower - since utilities rebate to owner and design team if we beat the energy code, and we like being green. :)
 
jshaw said:
We enforce the energy code in my jurisdiction. The GC must submit a lighting compliance form before a permit is issued. At final we do check the installed lighting against the compliance documentation and if it doesn't match, they don't get a CO.
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I have to ask. How do you perform the check? Do you literally walk around the building and count lamps in fixtures? What is the base document you are using to compare what was installed? Do you have a copy of as-built drawings to perform this check?
 
I am working with Mechanical engineers that perform the energy calculations as part of their equipment selections/sizing. The NEC Lighting load by occupancy in table 220.12 is the MINIMUM lighting loads. Real world situations is that is insuffiecient lighting levels for office, even using T5HO lamping. My target is between the Table 220.12 and the Florida Building code energy allowance. And I have to count every fixture and wattage for the Mechanical engineer.
 
necnotevenclose said:
I have to ask. How do you perform the check? Do you literally walk around the building and count lamps in fixtures? What is the base document you are using to compare what was installed? Do you have a copy of as-built drawings to perform this check?
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On very large buildings such as schools and churches, we have the lighting specifications that were presented at plan review and I will spot check what is installed as compared to what the design specs called out for. On smaller buildings, Offices, restuarants etc., I have the design criteria on site and yes I will literally count fixtures and compare to the compliance documentation. Most GC's know we stictly enforce this code and I have had very few that were not compliant at final.
 
Many jurisdictions are enforcing AHSRAE 90.1 or other energy codes now. Houston is very strict, as is California. The AHJ can point you to energy compliance forms that are included in the energy standards. THese are based on the design documents (I am sure that someone could install the wrong bulb and who would know?)

Some other jurisdictions don't give a whit about energy codes. Regardless of enforcement, energy codes are the law in almost every jurisdiction, and any inspector could gig you on them, or any client could come back and say that their building didn't meet minimum codes.

Energy codes are not a life safety issue, but if we our grandchildren are going to have heat and light, we need to start conserving energy now.

--Lawrence LIle
Project SOlutions Engineering
 
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While we're on the subject of energy efficiency, coming up soon, low voltage dry type xfmrs mfd after Jan 1 2007 must meet NEMA TP-1 2002 according to the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
 
So does this make any sense?

1000sf condo, 2 bed 2 bath 2 closets dining kitchen. The commom corridors and stairs are minimum. The multifamily building sq ft is mostly condo space.

Energy code allows 0.7 watts per sf for multifamily. So the allowable watts per 1000sf condo is 700 watts max.

2 baths x 200w = 400w
2 closets x 60w = 120w
1 dining x 200w = 200w
1 kitche x 200w = 200w
1 foyer x 60 w = 60w

total = 980w

Where would you start trimming wattage? Architects/developers are not going to swallow a $50 fluorescent can over a $15 resi can.

Has anyone designed a multifamily resi space to the energy code?
 
Yup. The secret is in using fluorescent residential fixtures. To sell these to the owner, point out the energy savings, increased lamp life, better color rendering...and it won't get permitted without them because of the energy requirements.

I really like using Seagull fixtures for condos and residential. Lots of variety to suit the owners and tons of energy star compliant fixtures.
 
Boater Bill seagull does do a good job for resi.

I just read the exceptions in the energy code and found that living space lighting is exempt! :oops: :-D
 
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