Newly constructed commercial and residential buildings in California will be some of the greenest in the world, following adoption of the most stringent, environmentally-friendly building code standards of any state in the nation.
The new code, Calgreen, will take effect January, 2011, and requires builders to install plumbing that cuts indoor water use by a minimum of 20 percent, divert 50 percent of construction waste from landfills to recycling, use low-pollutant paints, carpets and floorings and, in non-residential buildings, install separate water meters for different uses.
It mandates the inspection of energy systems by local officials to ensure that heaters, air conditioners and other mechanical equipment in non-residential buildings are working efficiently. And it will allow local jurisdictions to retain or adopt more stringent versions of the state code if they choose.
The U.S. Green Building Council, whose LEED certification system for sustainable green building and development practices is one of the best known in the world, generally supports the new code but is concerned that parts of the new code lack the rigor of existing local regulations, possibly making it difficult for cities and counties to adopt more stringent standards.
State officials said the regulations create a single comprehensive code, clearing up confusion over varying regulations, and it allows builders to receive certification similar to LEED without paying a third party. LEED certification through the U.S. Green Building Council, a private membership organization, can add as much as $30-$50,000 to the cost of a project.
Industry officials believe the mandatory provisions of the Calgreen Code will increase construction costs only slightly. Tier 1 and Tier 2 certification are voluntary and can be achieved by implementing a laundry list of additional measures identified in the Code. According to Tom Sheehy, chair of the California Building Standards Commission, "These are simple, cost-effective green practices; California should be proud."
Mandatory measures include such items as storm water management, meeting 2008 energy efficiency standards, 20% indoor water reduction, weather-based irrigation controllers, sealing of all plate penetrations at exterior walls, and recycling of construction waste. Also mandatory will be the use of low VOC adhesives, caulks, paints, carpet and vinyl flooring.
All wood products used in interior finish must comply with low formaldehyde emission standards. Enforcing agencies will conduct special inspections requiring enhanced training for some of the mandatory measures. The mandatory measures will phase in between January and July, 2011.
Voluntary measures for Tier 1 and Tier 2 certification may include enhanced levels of the mandatory measures, as well as other sustainable measures such as permeable paving, limited turf areas, drought tolerant plants and water conserving irrigation systems, window shading, exceeding energy efficiency standards, solar installations, use of recycled building materials, etc.
Sun Country Builders has on its team three LEED Accredited Professionals familiar with sustainable building practices. If you have any questions on the upcoming Calgreen Code, just call 760-630-8042 and ask for one of our LEED professionals.
