California Building Standards Commission unanimously adopted the first-in-the-nation mandatory Green Building Standards Code (CALGREEN) requiring all new buildings in the state to be more energy efficient and environmentally responsible. Taking effect on January 1, 2011, these comprehensive regulations will achieve major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and water use.

CALGREEN will require that every new building constructed in California reduce water consumption by 20 percent, divert 50 percent of construction waste from landfills and install low pollutant-emitting materials. It requires mandatory inspections of energy systems (e.g., heat furnace, air conditioner and mechanical equipment) for nonresidential buildings over 10,000 square feet to ensure that all are working at their maximum capacity and according to their design efficiencies. The California Air Resources Board estimates that the mandatory provisions will reduce greenhouse gas emissions (CO2 equivalent) by 3 million metric tons equivalent in 2020.

Upon passing state building inspection, property owners will have the ability to label their facilities as CALGREEN compliant without using additional costly third-party certification programs. 

In addition to the mandatory regulations, CALGREEN also includes more stringent voluntary provisions to encourage local communities to take further action to green their buildings to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency and conserve our natural resources.

The mandatory CALGREEN provisions will be inspected and verified by local and state building departments. CALGREEN will use the long-standing enforcement infrastructure that the state has to enforce its health, safety, fire, energy and structural building codes. Many of the mandatory provisions in the code are already part of the statewide building code, making verification of CALGREEN an easy transition for local building inspectors.

icc_esr_1222
ICC ES recently released an updated look to USG’s ESR-1222 that evaluated USG suspension systems and grid components for all seismic categories. Please let us know if you would like a copy.

USG’s Intermediate and Heavy-Duty suspension systems exceeds the IBC requirements for seismic resistance and is produced with the optimal shape, size, steel gauge and connection combination to create the highest level of movement resistance. The suspension system surpasses current seismic test standards by 42%. The use of 7/8″ wall molding is allowed when using the ACM7 Seismic Clip. Also tested and approved is the USG DH4 Seismic Expansion Clip which is a one piece, multi-directional clip that sits atop the main and cross tee bulbs and is fastened through a horizontal slot that secures the tees while allowing expansion-joint movement.

California Air Resources Board (CARB) implements Formaldehyde Emissions Standards for Composite Wood Products

On January 1, 2009, hardwood plywood, particleboard, and MDF panels manufactured for sale or use in California needed to comply with the formaldehyde emission limits in the new CARB regulation. The regulation calls for two phases. CARB recognized the need to build time into the regulation to permit non-compliant products in inventory to work through the supply chain so the agency incorporated sell-through provisions into the rule. These provisions allow for products to work their way through the manufacturing-to-retail commerce chain.

CARB anticipates that manufacturers will meet the Phase 1 standards by using resin technologies that are similar to those in use today. To meet the Phase 2 standards, manufacturers will likely need to use modified current day urea formaldehyde resin systems, no-added formaldehyde (NAF) or ultra-low-emitting formaldehyde (ULEF) resin systems.

For architects or designers specifying finished goods, the sell-through period utilizing non-compliant materials ends June 30, 2010 at which time it is thought that all non-compliant materials will have worked their way through the retail chain. Composite panels manufactured after January 1, 2009, must be CARB-compliant.

Please contact us for more information.