There have been recent changes to building codes throughout many mountain communities, which may significantly affect a project's design. Some of the more notable changes are in the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), which has now been adopted in Vail, Eagle County, Aspen, and Pitkin County. We have highlighted a few of these more notable changes in the energy code below.
Residential
- Building air tightness must be demonstrated through testing procedures or verified with rigorous inspections.
- Programmable thermostats are required for forced-air heating systems.
- All duct systems are required to be tested for leakage.
- All pools require energy conservation methods, including time switches and vapor-retardant pool covers.
- Minimum floor insulation has been increased to R-38.
- Minimum basement wall insulation has been increased to R-19.
- At least 50% of all light fixtures in a residence must have a high-efficacy lamp.
| 40 lum/W |
<=15W |
| 50 lum/W |
15W-40W |
| 60 lum/W |
>40W |
Commercial
- There are more restrictive fenestration requirements for our climate zone.
- All heating and cooling design loads shall be determined in accordance with ASHRAE standard 183.
- Snow melt systems shall include automatic controls.
- Exterior lighting calculations have become more complicated. Power allowances are now different depending on the exterior lighting zone (park, residential, other, & metropolitan).
Aside from the new energy code that has been adopted, many communities have adopted or will soon adopt the new 2009 IBC, including 2009 IMC and 2009 IPC. The 2008 NEC code will remain as the referenced electrical code for all communities. Here are several of the new changes from the 2009 IMC that could affect you.
- Make up air is required for all domestic kitchen exhaust hoods exhausting more than 400 CFM.
- Ventilation requirements have been altered to improve air quality and, in many cases, reduce the quantity of outdoor air required compared to the previous code.
- Parking garage ventilation rates have been reduced by 50%.
- Clothes dryer exhaust equivalent length increase from 25’ to 35’.
- All appliances must be accessible for inspection, repair, and replacement without having to remove permanent construction or other appliances and their associated system components. A 30”x30” space on the control side of the appliance for service is added.
- Load calculations must be in accordance with ASHRAE Standard 183.
- All ducts that penetrate fire-resistance-rated exterior walls require fire dampers.
Here are some notable changes to the plumbing code with the adoption of the 2009 IPC.
- A level working space of 30”x30” is required on the control side of all water heaters. Equipment and piping running to and from unrelated equipment cannot block removal of the water heater.
- The use of air admittance valves for a sump vent cannot be utilized unless the system is of an engineered design.
There have been other significant changes and amendments to the codes of our local towns and municipalities. We have included links that describe the major code changes for the Vail and Aspen areas below.
VAIL
ASPEN