The Regulators Are Coming! Effects Of Codes And Standards On Metal Construction

By Scott Kriner, Metal Construction Association Technical Director

The world of codes and standards can have tremendous impact on the metal construction industry. Codes are routinely changed on a regular cycle, sometimes for the good, and sometimes to our detriment. In today’s environment, federal agencies are placing even more pressure on code bodies and standards organizations to become more stringent, especially with regard to energy performance of buildings and their environmental impact.

Two years ago a total of five new standards were initiated or introduced related to green building practices. They represented the activities of ASTM International, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers, the National Association of Home Builders, and ISO. From year to year one never knows for sure what else might pop up on the radar screen.

The field of codes and standards is getting more crowded this year again with even more players. ASHRAE has been working on a new High Performance Green Building standard for over a year now. It mimics the USGBC’s Leadership for Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) program, and captures content from other ASHRAE standards. That organization is also working to increase the stringency of their Standard 90.1 “Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low Rise Residential Buildings” . They are under pressure from DOE to raise the bar 30% higher than the stringency of the 2004 version of Standard 90.1. DOE has suggested that if this goal is not met with the next version of the ASHRAE energy standard, the federal agency may write its own energy code.

The ASTM International organization has also picked up the momentum in the reconstituting of their E60 Sustainabilty Committee. Many older standards and new ones are being reviewed and developed to address terminology, establishing a balance between environment, financial and social considerations, Life Cycle Assessment provisions and other sustainable building standards. Much of this work has implications on the metal roof and wall component manufacturers.

With this as the backdrop, the International Code Council announced this summer that they will begin developing the International Green Construction Code (IGCC) targeting environmental, energy, and sustainability issues related to commercial buildings. The development of this code is on a fast track. The new code would complement the ICC-700-2008 code (aka National Green Building Standard) that was developed in cooperation with NAHB as a green residential code.

Federal legislation being debated in Congress can also impact on how metal components will be used in the building industry. Earlier this year the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved legislation that would create a national building code that completely supplants the national model code development process. New national energy efficiency targets would require states and localities to prove code compliance at 30% above the 2006 IECC code level. The targets become more stringent reaching 75% higher than IECC by 2029. If after one year from the date of enactment of the law the DOE does not have certification from a state that their code meets the established targets, the national energy code would automatically become the applicable building code for that state or locality.

All of the above-mentioned regulations and legislation clearly have an impact on the metal construction industry. Performance criteria on thermal issues, acoustical issues, and cool roof/wall properties are changing with each version or each cycle. Only an industry-wide effort to defend our positions or suggest new changes is the most effective way to deal with this. MCA (Metal Construction Association), in cooperation with other organizations such as AISI (American Iron And Steel Institute), MBMA (Metal Building Manufacturers Association), SFA (Steel Framing Alliance), Cool Metal Roofing Coalition, and others often work together on common goals to see that metal is favorably positioned in codes and standards. Positive results are certainly never guaranteed. The process is difficult and sometimes irrational, but it is what MCA must work through to reduce obstacles to the growth of metal in the building construction industry.

The effort to maintain our positions or create new applications through regulations or legislation is also an expensive and time consuming proposition. The technical committees and various Councils of the MCA help to leverage the financial resources to undertake extensive multi-year research programs at a variety of laboratories in the US and Canada. Results from that research provide the data that are needed to support code/standard changes. By the very nature of the term “research” the timeline and the certainty of success are never really known for sure. But research and development is often necessary to be able to substantiate our proposed changes to codes or standards.

Working with outside consultants and services is also often required to capitalize on distinct areas of expertise that may be outside the fold of the MCA. As such the organization utilizes regional code consultants, a national ICC code consultant, organizations that represent MCA at various standards committee meetings, partnerships with various industry code forums, and a Code and Standard committee comprised of the MCA members’ code specialists in the field. This team approach helps the MCA to maneuver through the regulatory maze, which is often a daunting task.

The MCA code team is utilizing available resources from within the membership and from outside the association. However, the team is always looking for more help to be the eyes and ears for the association. MCA always welcome new members, new ideas, and new contacts that can help the metal construction industry to stay ahead of the curve in the strategy of removing or reducing technical barriers to the growth of metal building envelope components. (To learn more about the Metal Construction Association, click here.)

Scott Kriner, MCA's Technical Director, is the president and founder of Green Metal Consulting Inc. He is a LEED Accredited Professional who began his career in the metal construction industry in 1981. His company is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council, the California Association of Building Energy Consultants and the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET). Scott can be reached by email at skriner1@verizon.net, or by phone at (610) 966-2430. You can also visit him on the web at www.greenmetalconsulting.com.  

For more columns by Scott and a host of other contributors, click here.