ICC Issues Proposed Updated Requirements for Determining Cost Impacts on Proposed Code Change Impacts.
The International Code Council (ICC) is recommending a more detailed cost impact requirement be added to the ICC code proposal process. According to the announcement, “Committee members and eligible voting members must be able to understand and consider the cost impacts associated with proposed code changes as they assess how best to ensure the safety of the built environment. “
Specifically the Code Procedure provision, Section 17 of CP28 contains the updated requirements, including:
- Identify “the code change proposal’s estimated immediate cost impacts and estimated life cycle cost.”
- Identify how that number or range was calculated (“method”)
- The data sources used (“basis for variables”)
A draft of the supplemental guidance document relating to CP28 Section 17 is available for public comment until 11:59 PM Eastern Time (ET) on December 9, 2023.
The draft document is viewable here. Comments should be made using the “Cost Impact Supplemental Guidance Draft Comments” link. Note that this revised requirement is an improvement over the current cost impact provisions required in the ICC code development process. Specifically, AGA and other participants in the ongoing development of the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) have serious concerns with the cost impact analysis that was used in justifying the proposed edition. This concern, along with other procedural issues, will be included in the appeal that AGA will be filing on the proposed 2024 IECC Edition ( See last week’s Update on End Use Codes and Standards).
Updated End Use Codes and Standards Tip Sheet Now Available.
AGA, the American Public Gas Association (APGA) and the Southern Gas Association (SGA) has updated the End Use Codes and Standards “Tip Sheet” that provides guidance on end use codes and standards impacting the natural gas industry. The Tip Sheet provides a list of quick definitions on end use codes and standards, the Model Codes to know, National Resources for more detailed information and how to get Involved in end use codes and standards development. Feel free to distribute the “Tip Sheet” as you deem appropriate.
EPA Announces Discussion Guide on a Revised Version of ENERGY STAR Levels for Clothes Dryers.
Yesterday,, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the ENERGY STAR Clothes Dryer Version 2.0 Specification Discussion Guide. According to the EPA announcement, “The purpose of this discussion guide is to engage with interested stakeholders to further inform an ENERGY STAR Version 2 specification for the clothes dryer product category. EPA will host a webinar on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 from 1 – 3 PM Eastern Time to seek input from stakeholders on the topics enclosed.” You can register to attend the webinar here. Stakeholders are also asked to share feedback and data in response to this discussion guide by Thursday, December 14, 2023. Currently, there are ENERGY STAR levels for both gas and electric clothes dryers that took effect on January 1, 2015. In reviewing Version 2.0, it appears that EPA is focusing on electric clothes dryers, specifically electric heat pump technology and there doesn’t appear to be any information on new technologies for gas clothes dryers. AGA BECS staff will be participating in the December 14, 2023 webinar and committee members are also encouraged to participate particularly since recent announcements on EPA ENERGY STAR programs have announced their intent to remove fossil fuel appliances and equipment from the ENERGY STAR program.
AHRI Releases the September 2023 Heating and Cooling Equipment Shipment Data.
For those interested in shipment trends for residential and commercial gas and electric storage type water heaters, residential gas and oil furnaces, electric heat pumps and air-conditioners, click here September2023StatisticalRelease2.pdf (magnetmail.net) for the November 10 , 2023 Air-Conditioning Heating, & Refrigeration (AHRI) Press Release that provides the September, 2023 U.S. Heating and Cooling Equipment Shipment Data. For previous monthly shipment releases and historical data, please click here . You may also wish to share this information with other groups or individuals within your organization that would be interested in this shipment data.
State Codes Activity Update.
Attached is a weekly feature of the “Friday Update” covering state code calendar activities as presented by the online utility “Fiscal Note,” which is sponsored by APGA and AGA Code and Standards. Please review the update and determine if there are state code activities that impact your service territory or organization.