Codes
Building codes establish the minimum legal requirements for buildings. There are typically two types—prescriptive and performance.
Prescriptive codes tell a designer what must be done (such as requiring R-20 insulation in the walls). Performance codes simply provide a metric that must be met (such as total energy use relative to a baseline), allowing the project to meet that benchmark in a variety of ways.
Code requirements differ from locale to locale, so here we cover news related to sustainability or energy use in building codes, and ways in which innovative green technologies are limited by code requirements.
Codes
Deep Dives
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Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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Local Governments To Be Disenfranchised After Voting for Green Codes
News Brief
Although government officials ultimately implement the energy code, the ICC is blocking them from voting on it.
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“Tall Wood” Now Code Approved
News Brief
The International Code Council will allow heavy timber buildings taller than 85 feet.
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International Green Construction Code Now Meshes with LEED
News Analysis
IgCC 2018 crafters hope to dispel confusion and increase uptake with rating system harmonization.
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NBI Stretches Code to Save 20% More Energy
News Analysis
The goal is to move energy codes forward more rapidly.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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Learning Resources
Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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- You can require or exclude terms using + and -: big +blue drop will require a match on blue while big blue -drop will exclude results that contain drop.