User:V767/International Green Construction Code (IGCC)

International Green Construction Code is

The International Code Council announced the release of Public Version 1.0 of the International Green Construction Code (IGCC) to regulate construction of new and existing commercial buildings on March 15, 2010. The IGCC was established to aid in the construction of sustaiable buildings in the business and residential sectors.

What the IGCC will do
The goal of the IGCC is to significantly decrease energy usage and carbon footprints along with several other key points.
 * The code addresses site development and land use, including the preservation of natural and material resources as part of the process.
 * Enforcement of the code will improve indoor air quality and support the use of energy-efficient appliances, renewable energy systems, water resource conservation, rainwater collection and distribution systems, and the recovery of used water, also known as graywater.
 * The IGCC emphasizes building performance, including features such as a requirement for building system performance verification along with building owner education, to ensure the best energy-efficient practices are being carried out.
 * A key feature of the new code is a section devoted to “jurisdictional electives,” which will allow customization of the code beyond its baseline provisions to address local priorities and conditions.

History of the IGCC
The IGCC initiative began in 2009 with Cooperating Sponsors American Institute of Architects, or known as the AIA, and ASTM International. The support of the AIA displays its long-time leadership and commitment in the sustainability movement. This includes its 2030 Carbon Neutrality challenge, and its emphasis on the critical role of architects and designers in the life cycle of sustainable construction. ASTM's engagement in the IGCC ensures that the code will make use of certain voluntary consensus standards recognized by industry, code officials and other stake holders for their high degree-technical quality, relevance and their suitability to contribute to more sustainable and environmentally improved buildings. The three organizations principals point out how the code helps to further the missions of each and their members.

Implementation of the IGCC
The work of the ICC/AIA/ASTM team in developing the IGCC is now joined with the Standard developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES). The IGCC will now reference the Public Version 1.0/ ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES Standard 189.1-2009 for the Design of High-Performance Green Buildings, Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, as an alternative jurisdictional compliance option within the IGCC. The participants in designing this Standard also voiced their support for the new IGCC and its potential to significantly contribute to a more sustainable built environment. Governments across America and around the globe clamoring for a green code to rcomplement voluntary ating systems can adopt the code immediately to reduce energy usage as well as the resulting carbon footprint of thousands of commercial building projects. The IGCC also addresses residential construction by referencing the 700-2008 National Green Building Standard'' developed by the National Association of Home Builders and the Code Council.