The International Code Council (“ICC”) recently announced that it is developing a model green building code for commercial buildings. The new code aims to catapult green building techniques into normal building practice. The code will provide guidance in the areas of water reduction, energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, materials and resource reduction, and overall environmental impacts of the buildings. The ICC stated in its announcement that it is creating the code while recognizing other rating systems. One can only assume it means the preeminent rating system, the USGBC’s LEED. (ICC’s world headquarters are located in a LEED certified building.) The ICC has also previously developed a residential green building code, ICC 700, which was released on 1/30/09.
The press release issued by the ICC for the new commercial code asks for comments from those working in the field during the drafting process. Comments can be sent to the following address: GreenBuildingCode@iccsafe.com. The ICC also stated that individuals can become even further involved by becoming members of the Sustainable Building Technology Committee, which they allege will play a key role in development of the code. If you are interested in joining the committee, click here.
This new ICC code will be yet another resource for governments to add to their toolbox, and hopefully it will provide even more incentive to cities and countries throughout the world to draft building codes with mandatory green building practices. Some may even decide to adopt the code in its entirety. Stay tuned: this blog will provide a summary of the code once it is released and will follow any standards that adopt all or part of its provisions.
