by jbs030810 d3 — March 10, 2010—The International Code Council (ICC) has finalized the first green construction code for commercial buildings. The International Green Construction Code (IGCC) is coordinated with the existing International Codes in order to make it more easily enforceable, useable and adoptable.
The IGCC development process included diverse experts from government, industry and advocacy organizations to produce a consensus code responding to the need expressed by jurisdictions who were struggling with developing a green code on their own.
In addition to creating a new regulatory baseline for jurisdictions, the IGCC will allow additional customization at the jurisdictional level, and be compatible with voluntary rating systems (e.g., LEED, Green Globes). The IGCC reportedly offers many unique features and benefits in that it:
- Will offer the most comprehensive and effective code for alternative water sources such as graywater, rainwater and reclaimed water — important not only for regions struggling with limited water supplies, but to offset possible water shortages in the future in other areas;
- Encompasses the latest alternative energy technologies such as wind turbines, geothermal heating, solar energy, energy recovery, and management and control systems;
- Is the first construction code to establish code requirements for a minimum level of sustainability in commercial buildings;
- Is based on the same clear, easy-to-use sequence that makes the I-Codes popular across the U.S. and increasingly around the world; and
- Offers the flexibility jurisdictions need in order to customize the code based on local factors such as flood areas, greenfield sites, light pollution, and many others.
Visit the ICC Web site for more information and to download a free copy of the IGCC Public Version 1.0, available March 15, 2010.
