22 Apr 2010

The new green building code is meant for traditional and high performance buildings
The International Code Council (ICC) recently unveiled the IGCC Public Version 1.0 at its Washington, D.C., world headquarters office with participants from the fire safety community in attendance.

In an answer to the public demand for more energy-efficient and renewable technologies in schools, hospitals, and worksites of all types, the International Green Construction Code (IGCC) is making its debut. Using the slogan "IGCC: Safe and Sustainable by the Book," this newly released and enhanced building code is a milestone on the road to developing commercial building standards that achieve goals of sustainability while incorporating the input of public safety officials across the country.

The International Code Council (ICC) recently unveiled the IGCC Public Version 1.0 at its Washington, D.C., world headquarters office with participants from the fire safety community in attendance. The objective of the IGCC is to provide a green building code for traditional and high-performance buildings, and by referencing the residential occupancies that have qualities similar to commercial structures.

The ICC and its partners are encouraging the fire safety community and the public to become actively engaged in shaping the building codes that will help green building design and construction practices evolve and become more common. The ICC is seeking input from fire safety professionals during the Public Comment process to refine the details that encourage use of green building technologies in building construction, fire protection systems, the operation and maintenance of buildings, as well as emergency fire operations considerations.

The comment form is available here. The Public Comment period runs through May 14, culminating in public hearings in August to review the comments and receive testimony that will result in the release of Public Version 2.0 in November.

There are a number of areas in IGCC for feedback from fire service professionals
There are wide-ranging areas of interest for the fire safety community to consider in the development of the IGCC, from rooftops to sprinkler systems and recycled materials. New and perhaps uncommon sustainable construction materials, technologies, systems, and design features will be seen in green buildings. It will be important for code officials and fire safety professionals to lead communities in correctly interpreting and applying existing building and fire safety codes, along with provisions in the new IGCC to embrace green building advances.

Fire safety professionals can provide comment on Public Version 1.0 of the IGCC during the period of public comment of March 15 to May 14, 2010. In addition, the fire safety community is invited to participate by developing and submitting code change proposals for upcoming code hearings to help make the 2012 edition of the IGCC as complete and up-to-date as can be accomplished. Code change proposals will be considered at code development hearings and final action hearings in Dallas and Phoenix respectively during 2011, with publication of the 2012 IGCC to follow.