HomeMy WebLinkAbout153 - 12/05/1995 - AMENDING CITY CODE REGARDING ENERGY CONSERVATION CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS ORDINANCE NO. 153, 1995
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AMENDING SECTIONS, 5-26, 5-27 AND 5-107 OF THE CODE
OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
REGARDING ENERGY CONSERVATION CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
WHEREAS, the City's ordinance regulating energy conservation measures constructed into
new buildings,based on the MODEL ENERGY CODE, 1986 EDITION,as published by the Council
of American Building Officials ("CABO"),_ is no longer consistent with currently available
technologies and methods for constructing energy-efficient buildings; and
WHEREAS, the MODEL ENERGY CODE undergoes annual review by the international
CABO membership, with the most recent revision being the 1995 Edition of the Model Energy
Code"; and
WHEREAS, the review and adoption of the City's current building code, based on the
UNIFORM BUILDING CODE, 1991 EDITION, published by the International Conference of
Building Officials (ICBO), which incorporates the MODEL ENERGY CODE by reference, was
completed in March, 1994, but did not include revisions to the energy code because of the need for
a separate comprehensive review and analysis of energy conservation provisions; and
WHEREAS, in November, 1993, the Building Review Board agreed to work with the
Electric Board on revisions to the energy code as a separate process from the model building code
review because of the complexity and scope of the work; and
WHEREAS, the Electric Board included in its 1994 Work Plan a proposal to "participate
with the Building Review Board to incorporate cost effective energy-efficiency requirements in the
next revision of the Building Code;" and
WHEREAS, staff has completed a comprehensive review of the Model Energy Code, 1995
Edition provisions with extensive participation by two separate technical advisory committees, one
for the residential standards and the other for the commercial standards; and
WHEREAS,the Electric Board has identified improved electric energy demand management
opportunities, particularly through the more efficient use of electric energy, by commercial and
industrial customers; and
WHEREAS, on August 16, 1995, the Electric Board recommended that the Council amend
Sections 5-26, 5-27 and 5-107 of the Code, adopting the Model Energy Code, 1995 Edition with
certain amendments as hereafter provided; and
WHEREAS, on September 28, 1995, the Building Review Board recommended that the
Council amend Sections 5-26, 5-27 and 5-107 of the Code, adopting the Model Energy Code, 1995
Edition as hereafter provided; and
WHEREAS, on October 4, 1995,the Natural-Resources Advisory Board recommended that-
the Council amend Sections 5-26, 5-27 and 5-107 of the Code, adopting the Model Energy Code,
1995 Edition as hereafter provided.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS as follows:
S ection 1. That theCouncil-hereby-finds-and determines that_it is-in-the best interQst of
the citizens of Fort Collins that all new buildings be built with improved methods and materials that
are both energy-conserving and cost effective.
Section 2. That the amendments to the Code recited herein shall take effect on July 1,
1996.
Section 3. That Section 5-26 of the Code of the City is hereby amended as follows:
5-26. Adoption of standards.
A. There is hereby adopted by reference as the building code of the city, the
Uniform Building Code, 1991 Edition,published by the International Conference of
Building Officials, together with the Uniform Building Code Standards, 1991
Edition, as if set forth in full herein. The subject matter of the codes adopted herein
includes comprehensive provisions and standards regulating the erection,
construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, removal, conversion,
demolition, occupancy, equipment, use, height, area and maintenance of buildings
and structures for the purpose of protecting the public health, safety and general
welfare.
B. The "Fort Collins Energy Code for Commercial, Industrial, and High-Rise
Buildings, based on the 'Codification ofASHRAE17ES 90.1-1989, Energy Efficient
Design of New Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, 1993. ,
promulgated by the "American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-
Conditioning Engineers, Inc." and the "Illuminating Engineering Society of North
America", and as amended by the City of Fort Collins, is hereby adopted by
reference.
C. The "Model Energy Code, 1995 Edition," promulgated by the Council of
American Building Officials, as amended by the City of Fort Collins, is hereby
adopted by reference.
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Section 4. That subparagraphs (42), (46) and (80) of Section 5-27 (Amendments and
deletions to Code) of the Code of the City are hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 5-27. Amendments and deletions to code.
(42) Section 2516(c)6., "Foundation ventilation."
"Under-floor ventilation and vapor barrier. Exterior ventilation openings installed in under-
floor areas(excluding combustion air supply openings or ducts required by the Fort Collins
mechanical code), shall qualify such spaces as being unheated and unconditioned for energy
conservation purposes, requiring the floor system above and any other surfaces separating
the space from adjoining conditioned spaces to be insulated as prescribed in Appendix
Chapter 53. All exposed ground surfaces within buildings shall be covered and effectively
separated from the atmosphere in the building in an approved manner with a barrier or
retarder having a maximum permeability rating of 1 perm."
(46) Table 29-A, Foundations for Stud-bearing Walls, Minimum Requirements
Under Conditions not Requiring Special Design"", is amended by the addition of a
new footnote ten (10) as follows:
Depth of Foundation Below Finished Grade (inches)10
10. Except for an approved `Frost-protected' foundation design, for which the
minimum depth shall be determined by the Building Official.
(80) Chapter 53 of the Appendix is adopted, and amended by changing the date
in Section 5301(b) from 1989 to 1995; and by incorporating amendments to the
"MODEL ENERGY CODE, 1995 EDITION" as follows:
(a) Subsection 102.1.2 "Building envelope insulation." is amended by
deleting the first paragraph thereof, and by deleting the first word of the
second paragraph, "Alternatively," by inserting a new sentence following the
first sentence of such paragraph, and by adding a second new sentence at the
end of said paragraph, which new sentences shall read, respectively, as
follows:
"The certification shall also include a statement that
the insulation described therein is installed in
accordance with the applicable installation guidelines
established by the Building Official."
"Such certification shall also be submitted to the
Building Official by the builder or general contractor
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of record prior to issuance of a Certificate of
Occupancy."
(b) Subsection 102.1.3 'Insulation installation.", is amended by deleting
the first word of the second paragraph, "Alternatively,".
(c) Table 102.3a, "U-VALUE DEFAULT TABLE FOR WINDOWS,
GLAZED DOORSAND SKYLIGHTS" is deleted in its entirety and replaced
with a revised Table 102.3a as follows:
Default window U-values (when not otherwise provided
by the Building Official)
No. of Gas Frame Default
glazings Coating till type U-value
1 None N/A Any 1.00
2 None Air Metal 0.87
2 None Air Wood or 0.52
vinyl
2 Low-e Air Wood or 0.41
vinyl
2 Low-e Argon Wood or 0.37
vinyl
(d) Section 102 "MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT", is amended by
adding two new subsections, respectively, "102.4 Mechanical equipment
installation.", and, "102.5 Air Leakage Sealing Measures", to read as
follows:
"102.4 Mechanical equipment installation. Prior to
issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, the builder or
general contractor of record shall submit to the
Building Official a certification, signed and dated by
the mechanical contractor or installer. Such
certification shall contain: (1) information on the
mechanical equipment; (2) a statement that the
equipment was installed in accordance with the
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manufacturer's instructions; (3) a statement that
manufacturer's installation and operation manuals are
provided for the end user; and (4) information on air
sealing of the air distribution systems."
"102.5 Air leakage sealing measures. Prior to
issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy,the builder or
general contractor of record shall submit to the
Building Official a signed and dated certification
either (1) that the air sealing measures prescribed
pursuant to Section 502.3 are installed in accordance
with the applicable installation guidelines established
by the Building Official; or, (2) that an air-leakage
test, verifying compliance with the performance level
specified in Section 502.3.5., has been performed.
(e) Subsection 302.1, "Exterior design conditions.", is amended by inserting in
"Table 302.1, Exterior design conditions.", the following values:
"Winter Design Dry-bulb=-10"F";
"Summer Design Dry-bulb = 91"F";
"Design wet-bulb = 59°F";
"Degree days, Heating = 6368"
(f) Section 402, "SYSTEMS ANALYSIS", is amended in its entirety to read as
follows:
"SECTION 402 SYSTEMS ANALYSIS"
"402.1 Energy analysis. As an alternative to following the compliance
path prescribed in Chapter 5 of this code, compliance with this code
may be demonstrated by performing an entire building system energy
analysis that documents energy performance consistent with the
provisions of Chapter 5. Any such analysis methodology,
assumptions, calculation procedures, documentation, and related
requirements shall be approved by the Building Official."
(g) Section 501.1 "General.", is amended by adding a second sentence to read as
follows:
All materials and methods shall be in accordance with generally
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accepted minimum standards for installation and in accordance with
applicable installation guidelines established by the Building Official.
(h) Subsection 502.2.1 "Walls.", is amended by rewording the first sentence
thereof to read as follows:
The combined thermal transmittance value (U") of the gross area of
the exterior walls shall not exceed 0.132 in buildings heated by
natural gas as the primary fuel source, nor exceed 0.120 in buildings
heated by electricity as the primary energy source.
(I) Subsection 502.2.2 "Roof/Ceiling." is amended to read in its entirety as
follows:
"502.2.2 Roof/Ceiling. In any building where the total area of
skylights does not exceed 2% of the roof area, the roof/ceiling
assembly shall be insulated with materials having a minimum R-value
of R-38 in roof/ceiling assemblies containing an attic space, or shall
be insulated with materials having a minimum R-value of R-30 in
roof/ceiling assemblies with enclosed rafter spaces, provided further
that such skylights have glazing and frame thermal performance
characteristics similar to those of the predominant window type used
in such building."
"In any building where the total area of skylights exceeds 2% of the
roof area, such excess skylight area shall be treated as additional
window area in the exterior wall for purposes of complying with
Section 502.2.1."
(j) Subsection 502.2.3 "Floors over unheated spaces.", is amended to read in its
entirety as follows:
"502.2.3 Floors over unheated spaces. Floors which project over
outdoor air shall be insulated with materials having a minimum R-
value of R-30 in buildings heated by natural gas as the primary fuel
source, or shall be insulated with materials having a minimum R-
value of R-38 in buildings heated by electricity as the primary energy
source. The spaces between the floor joists of floors over unheated
spaces that are within the building envelope, and are intended to be
thermally separated from conditioned spaces, shall be insulated with
materials having a minimum R-value of R-19 in buildings heated by
natural gas as the primary fuel source, or shall be insulated with
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materials having a minimum R-value of R-30 in buildings heated by
electricity as the primary energy source.
Exception: Crawl spaces in which the walls are entirely insulated
along the perimeter as prescribed in Section 502.2.5 need not be
provided with an insulated floor above."
(k) Subsection 502.2.4 "Slab-on-grade floors.", is repealed in its entirety and
replaced with the following:
"502.2.4.1 Slab-on-grade floors in buildings heated by natural gas as
the primary fuel source. Slab-on-grade floors in any building heated
by natural gas as the primary fuel source shall be insulated along the
perimeter with approved materials having a minimum R-value of R-5
from the top of the slab to a depth of 48 inches or a minimum R-value
of R-7.5 to a depth of 24 inches. For heated slab-on-grade floors,
such insulation shall have a minimum R-value of R-7.5 and extend
from the top of the slab to a depth of 48 inches or have a minimum R-
value of R-10 and extend from the top of the slab to a depth of 24
inches. Approved frost-protected foundation systems in accordance
with the applicable installation guidelines established by the Building
Official may be used."
"502.2.4.2 Slab-on-grade floors in buildings heated by electricity as
the primary energy source. Unheated or heated slab-on-grade floors
in any building heated by electricity as the primary energy source,
shall be insulated along the perimeter of the floor with approved
materials having a minimum R-value of R-10 from the top of the slab
to a depth of 48 inches. Approved frost-protected foundation systems
in accordance with the applicable installation guidelines established
by the Building Official may be used."
(1) Subsection 502.2.5 "Crawl space walls.", is amended by replacing the first
sentence thereof with a new sentence to read as follows:
"Crawl spaces which are included in the conditioned floor area,which
have no exterior vents (excluding combustion air supply ducts
required by the Fort Collins mechanical code), and which have
exposed interior ground surfaces sealed in approved manner as
specified in the Fort Collins building code, shall be insulated with
materials having a minimum R-value of R-19.
(m) Subsection 502.2.6 "Basement walls." is amended to read in its entirety as
follows:
"502.2.6. "Basement walls. Basement walls below uninsulated floors
shall be insulated on either the exterior side or the interior side as
specified in this section."
"502.2.6.1 Interior insulation. Insulation on the interior side shall
have a minimum R-value of R-11 and shall extend from the top of
such basement wall to the basement floor surface."
"502.2.6.2 Exterior insulation. Insulation on the exterior side shall
have a minimum R-value of R-10 and shall extend from the top of
such basement wall, down to a minimum of 48 inches below the
exposed foundation level and not less than 42 inches below the
finished grade."
(n) Section 502.3 'Air leakage.", is amended by adding a new subsection,
"502.3.5 Alternative performance testing."to reatlas follows:
"502.3.5 Alternative performance testing. In lieu of the itemized
requirements contained in Section 502.3.3, an approved air leakage
test may be performed by a qualified agency, which results in a
maximum air change rate of 5 air changes per hour (ACH) at 50
pascals pressure difference between the building interior and the
outside."
(o) Subsection 503.2 "Duct Sealing.", is amended to read as follows:
"503.2 Duct Sealing. Any low-pressure supply and return ducts
located outside conditioned spaces shall be permanently sealed using
mastic with fibrous backing tape installed in accordance with the
manufacturer's instructions; or using other approved materials.
Standard duct tapes are not approved for such use.
(p) Subsection 503.7.1 is amended by rewording the first sentence to read as
follows:
"Duct systems, or portions thereof, shall be insulated with materials
having an R-value of R-8."
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(q) Subsections 504.2.1.1., 504.2.1.2, and 504.2.2 are deleted in their entirety.
(r) Subsection 504.7 "Pipe insulation." is amended by renaming and
renumbering such subsection to read as follows:
"504.7.1 Pipe insulation for recirculating systems."
(s) A new subsection, entitled " 504.7.2 Pipe insulation for non-recirculating
systems.", is added after Subsection 504.7.1 to read as follows:
"504.7.2 Pipe insulation for non-recirculating systems. The first eight
(8) feet of inlet and outlet water piping from the hot water tank
storage system shall be installed with insulation of one(1)-inch
minimum thickness with a thermal conductivity no greater than 0.30
Btu-in./(hr-ftZ-°F). Alternatively, water heaters shall have heat traps
installed on both the inlet and outlet piping.
Exception: Provisions of this section do not apply to water heaters
equipped with integral heat traps or to water heaters that do not have
vertical risers."
(t) Chapter 6 "Residential Building Design by Acceptable Practice", is deleted
in its entirety.
(u) Section 801 "REFERENCED STANDARDS", is amended by revising the
standard listed under Subsection 801.1 "General.", as "RS-22", to read as follows:
"RS-22 Fort Collins Energy Code for Commercial, Industrial, and
High-Rise Buildings, based on the 'Codification of ASHRAE/EIS
90.1-1989, Energy Efficient Design of New Buildings Except Low-
Rise Residential Buildings, 1993. , as amended."
Section 5. That Section 5-107 of the Code of the City is hereby amended by
inserting a new subsection (5) after subsection (4) and renumbering the existing subsections
(5) through (8) sequentially as follows:
See. 5407-. Amendments-and-deletions-to code.
(5) A new subsection, "Section 602.(d) Identification.", is added to read as
follows:
"(d) Identification. All combustion air openings or ducts shall be
readily identifiable with an approved label or by other means warning
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persons that obstruction of such openings or ducts may cause fuel-
burning equipment to release combustion products and dangerous
levels of carbon monoxide into the building."
Introduced, considered favorably on firs:ayo=r �,/
ary f 1 21 st
day of November,A.D. 1995,and to be presentepas
o ecem r,A.D.
1995.
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading this 5th day of D mber, . 1995.
Mayor
ATTEST: � Q
City Clerk
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