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Kathy Krafka Harkema, U.S. technical operations director at FGIA, addresses the audience.
Day two of the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance’s (FGIA) Hybrid Fall Conference featured an update from the International Code Council (ICC) on ICC Group A Code Development and the new International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) Standards Development Process.
FGIA codes consultant Jen Hatfield provided an update on some of the Public Comment Hearing (PCH) results. For the glazing industry, she said the Glazing Industry Code Committee (GICC), National Glass Association (NGA) and Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) submitted Proposals G165 and G166 to the ICC during the latest cycle. The two proposals promoted daylighting in classrooms using two different methods. The FGIA supported both proposals, but both were disapproved 14-0 after unexpected opposition during the first round of hearings. The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) believed that the proposals would discourage electrical lighting usage. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) opposed the proposal, too.
“GICC, the NGA and the AEC came back with a public comment for G165 only that addressed the concerns of many of those who were originally opposed at the committee action hearing,” Hatfield said. “But, unfortunately, AIA—the architects—remained opposed and although very compelling testimony was made, it was too much to overcome the disapproval. The public comment sustained the disapproval and both of these proposals are slated for disapproval as final action.”
A new process surrounding the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) was also a focal point during the afternoon session. “The ICC board determined that, for the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), a standards development process would allow for additional time for debate, additional avenues to reach consensus and a continuous maintenance cycle to facilitate the ICC’s ability to keep up with the pace of changing technology.”
The IECC remains a code, but it will now be developed under a standards development process, similar to the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) National Electrical Code. The IECC maintains a three-year development cycle, consistent with other International Codes, integrated into Chapter 11 of the International Residential Code (IRC) and Chapter 15 of the ICC Performance Code. The 2021 IECC is a starting point for 2024 IECC revisions.
“The ICC has stated that this new process redefines the code scope and intent to better align it with communities’ energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction priorities,” Hatfield said.
The ICC has received 358 applications for serving on one of two committees: Residential Energy Code Consensus Committee and Commercial Energy Code Consensus Committee.
Hatfield also provided an update on proposals that did not receive public comment and landed on the Consent Agenda.
E83–joint FGIA/WDMA proposal to clarify window opening protection requirements in IBC, s. 1015.8
—As Submitted 14-0 at Committee Action Hearings (CAH), no Public Comment
- Slated for Final Action of As Submitted (AS)
G9–By Solar Energy Industries Association to define Flashing
—Disapproved 12-1 at CAH, no Public Comment
- Slated for Final Action of Disapproval (D)
FS126–By Foam Sheathing Committee of American Chemistry Council (ACC). Coordination proposal requiring Water-Resistive Barrier (WRB) to be continuous to top of walls and terminated at penetrations.
—As Modified (AM) 13-0 at CAH, no Public Comment
- Slated for Final Action of AM (modification was result of FGIA/WDMA collaboration)
FS128–By Foam Sheathing Committee of American Chemistry Council (ACC). Adds another way for a Water-Resistive Barrier (WRB) to comply, allowing a foam plastic insulating sheathing WRB system complying with s.1402.2 and installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
—As Submitted 12-0 at CAH, no Public Comment
- Slated for Final Action of As Submitted (AS)
FS145–By Foam Sheathing Committee of ACC. A new section was added that provides a list of approved sources for flashing instructions where a flashing condition is not addressed in the fenestration manufacturer’s flashing instructions.
—As Submitted 13-0 at CAH, no Public Comment
- Slated for Final Action of AS
Hatfield commented on proposal G9, saying, “I suspect we probably will see some future attempt to define flashing in a future code cycle, but it’s going to take a lot of negotiation between all those affected by the term. I think it seems to be quite a challenge to find a definition that suits all involved.”
The FGIA Fall Conference concludes today in Phoenix at the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass. Stay tuned to USGNN™ for more news and reports.
