Green Mechanical Contractor

GREEN CODE SUPPLEMENT
CAN BE A POWERFUL NEW TOOL

It is my pleasure to share the news of a powerful and revolutionary new tool that is at the sustainable building industry’s disposal. After two years of careful, dedicated development, IAPMO has formally released the Green Plumbing & Mechanical Code Supplement, the most comprehensive document ever created to standardize sustainable residential and commercial plumbing and mechanical systems.

Building codes are perhaps the biggest hindrance to the adoption of green buildings. There’s so little information about how to do green systems properly and safely within existing building codes; so we’ve rolled out a document that shows exactly how it’s done. The Green Supplement serves as a complement to any adopted plumbing and mechanical code, smoothly bridging the previously troublesome gap between existing codes and established green building programs. Where code language and green building concepts lack cohesion, the Green Supplement creates harmony.

The Green Supplement serves as an invaluable resource for
code officials, plumbers, contractors, engineers and manufac-
turers in designing, installing and approving more sustainable
plumbing and mechanical systems. Among its features:
• Provides the most comprehensive collection of plumb-
ing and mechanical provisions available to promote
increased water and energy efficiency
• Contains water-and energy-saving provisions that are
proven safe and reliable
• Provides related installation and maintenance require-
ments
The Green Supplement is designed as a transitional repos-
itory for these concepts, which are perceived to be ahead of
their time. The end game is ultimately for the supplement to
go away as Green becomes the mainstream industry stan-
dard and these provisions are rolled into the codes. Some of
the key areas addressed by the supplement include:

Use of alternate water sources (graywater, reclaimed water and harvested rainwater). The biggest void in the industry is how to safely use alternate water sources. Inspectors and code officials are apprehensive about allowing the use of graywater and rainwater for plumbing applications without appropriate code provisions to apply and enforce. At the same time, many green building rating systems give points for using alternate water sources, without prescribing how to use the alternate water sources correctly. That’s where the supplement fits in. It provides the means to allow potable water to be safely replaced by alternate water sources.

Proper use of high-efficiency plumbing products. The supplement establishes more efficient flow rates and consumption limits for plumbing fixtures, faucets and appli-

ances, while providing product specifications and installation requirements necessary to achieve expected performance and anticipated water savings.

Conservation of hot water. The supplement contains measures to increase the efficiency of hot water generation, hot water distribution and hot water usage. This includes setting minimum appliance efficiencies, enhancing insulation provisions and establishing design criteria that minimize water waste while waiting for hot water to arrive at the tap.

Energy conservation in HVAC systems. The supplement achieves a significant reduction in energy use for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems from that permitted by mechanical codes. In most cases, the reduction is more than 20%. The cornerstones for these provisions are ASHRAE 90.1-2007 Energy Standard for Buildings, Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings and ASHRAE 90.2-2007 Energy Efficient Design of Low-Rise Residential Buildings.

The Green Supplement was developed in response to the IAPMO board of directors’ call for a reduction in energy and water consumption currently permitted in the Uniform Codes. In January 2008, the board established the Green Technical Committee and charged these individuals with development of the Green Supplement. The 25-member GTC is chaired by IAPMO board member Bill Erickson of C.J. Erickson Plumbing Co., Alsip, Ill., and comprised of the leading authorities in all facets of the sustainable plumbing and mechanical fields. Operating under the leadership of the GTC, an additional 60 members, including plumbers, contractors, engineers, inspectors and energy/water conservation experts, serve on nine task groups.

With the supplement complete, the GTC has fulfilled the next step of the board charge by submitting proposals that would incorporate applicable portions of the Green Supplement into the 2012 Uniform Plumbing Code and 2012 Uniform Mechanical Code as non-mandatory appendices. The Uniform Plumbing and Mechanical Code Technical Committees will consider these proposals at their meetings, April 26-30 in Milwaukee, Wis.

Because there is no rest for the weary, the GTC has already made plans to start the maintenance process of the Green Supplement at its upcoming meeting, April 14-15 in Chicago.

Additional information about the GTC meeting, Green Supplement and IAPMO’s commitment to a sustainable environment is available at www.iapmo.org/Pages/ IAPMO_Green.aspx or from Maria Bazan, 708/995-3000 or maria.bazan@iapmo.org.

David Viola is director of special services for the International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials and staff liaison to the Green Technical Committee.