Chapter 15.90
ENERGY CODE
Sections:
15.90.040 Local amendments to the International Energy Conservation Code, 2018 Edition.
15.90.010 Adoption.
The code known as the International Energy Conservation Code, 2018 Edition, as published by the International Conference of Building Officials, together with the local amendments as set forth in NPMC 15.90.040, shall constitute the laws of the City relating to building regulations. Where the International Energy Conservation Code conflicts with this code, this code shall prevail. An electronic copy of the International Energy Conservation Code is retained at the City offices. (Ord. 22-02 § 2, 2022; Ord. 12-14 § 2, 2012)
15.90.020 Modifications.
The Building Official shall have the power to modify any of the provisions of the International Energy Conservation Code adopted by this chapter upon application in writing by the owner or lessee or his duly authorized agent, when there are practical difficulties in the way of carrying out the strict letter of the code; provided, that the spirit of the code is observed, public safety secured, and substantial justice done. The particulars of the modification, when granted or allowed, and the decision of the Building Official thereon shall be entered upon the records of the Department, and a signed copy shall be furnished the applicant. (Ord. 22-02 § 2, 2022; Ord. 12-14 § 2, 2012)
15.90.030 Appeals.
Whenever the Building Official disapproves an application or refuses to grant a permit applied for, or when it is claimed that the provisions of the code have been misconstrued or wrongly interpreted, the applicant may appeal from the decisions of the Building Official to the Mayor/City Manager within thirty days from the date of the decision. The appointment of the appeals board will be on a case-by-case basis with the members of said board comprised of local design professionals, contractors, inspectors or other members of the public deemed knowledgeable of the subject matter by the Mayor/City Manager. (Ord. 22-02 § 2, 2022; Ord. 12-14 § 2, 2012)
15.90.040 Local amendments to the International Energy Conservation Code, 2018 Edition.
The amendments to International Energy Conservation Code, 2018 Edition, as published by the International Conference of Building Officials are hereby adopted by the City of North Pole as follows:
Commercial Provisions, Chapter 1 through Chapter 6. Delete this section in its entirety.
Residential Provisions, Chapter 1. Delete Sections R101.5 through R101.5.1 and R102 through R109 in their entirety and refer to the City of North Pole Administrative Code.
Section R202, General Definitions.
Vapor Retarder. Create a new definition to read as follows:
Vapor retarder: A vapor resistant material, membrane, or covering having a permeance rating of .06 perm and recognized as a class 1 (one) vapor retarder in accordance with the International Residential Code.
Section R401.3, Certificate. Delete this section in its entirety.
Table R402.1.2 Insulation and Fenestration Minimum R-Values by Component. Delete the table in its entirety and replace with the following:
|
Table 402.1.1 Insulation and Fenestration Minimum R-Values by Component |
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Climate Zone |
Windows |
Doors |
Ceiling1 |
Exterior frame wall4 |
Floor5 |
Below grade wall2 |
Slab3 & Depth |
Crawlspace wall2 |
|
8 |
3.22 |
7 |
60 or 49 |
21 |
38 |
15/19 |
15, 4ft. |
15/19 |
1. The smaller value may be used with a properly sized, energy-heel truss.
2. The first R-value applies to continuous insulation, the second to framing cavity insulation; either meets the requirement.
3. R-5 shall be added to the required slab edge R-values for heated slabs. Insulation shall not be placed below the footing portion unless bearing on entirely non-frost susceptible soils.
4. Includes rim joists
5. For exposed floors, floors above crawl spaces do not require insulation.
Section R402.1.3, R-Value Computation. Delete the last sentence in its entirety.
Table R402.2.1, Insulation and Fenestration Requirements by Component, and Table R402.1.4, Equivalent U-Factors. Delete the tables in their entirety and replace with the following:
|
Table 402.1.2 Insulation and Glazing Maximum U-Factors by Component3 |
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Climate Zone |
Windows |
Doors |
Ceiling1 |
Exterior frame wall4 |
Floor5 |
Below grade wall2 |
Slab3 |
Crawlspace wall2 |
|
8 |
0.31 |
0.14 |
0.017 or 0.020 |
0.047 |
0.0026 |
0.067/ 0.053 |
0.067 |
0.066/ 0.052 |
1. The smaller value may be used with a properly sized, energy-heel truss.
2. The first R-value applies to continuous insulation, the second to framing cavity insulation; either meets the requirement.
3. R-5 shall be added to the required slab edge R-values for heated slabs. Insulation shall not be placed below the footing portion unless bearing on entirely non-frost susceptible soils.
4. Includes rim joists.
5. For exposed floors, floors above crawlspaces do not require insulation.
Section R402.2.1, Ceilings With Attic Spaces. Amend this section by adding the following exception:
Exception
R-49 fiberglass blanket insulation may be compressed at the eave to provide a 1.5-inch air space when installed between wood trusses having a minimum heel height of 11.25 inches.
Section R402.2.5, Mass Walls. Delete this section in its entirety.
Section R402.2.11, Crawl Space Walls. Delete this section in its entirety and rename and replace as follows:
Section R402.2.11 Crawl space walls and adjacent floor.
Floors located above crawl spaces and not directly exposed to exterior ambient temperatures are not required to be insulated if such spaces contain, plumbing piping, hydronic piping or water and sewer services. Crawl spaces may be vented by natural or mechanical means as prescribed by the International Residential Code or International Building Code. Crawl spaces which are vented to the exterior and contain piping as described above shall be protected during freezing temperatures by an approved method or material. Crawl space wall insulation shall be permanently fastened to the wall and extend downward from the floor level to the top of the footing. Exposed earth in crawl space foundations shall be covered with a continuous vapor retarder. All joints of the vapor retarder shall overlap by 6 inches and be sealed or taped. The edges of the vapor retarder shall extend at least 6 inches up the stem wall and shall be attached or secured to the stem wall in an approved manner.
Section R402.4.6 Moisture Control (Mandatory). Create a new section and title to read as follows:
Moisture control (Mandatory). The building design shall not create conditions of accelerated deterioration from moisture condensation. Walls, floors, ceilings, crawl space walls, crawl space floors, and concrete slabs shall incorporate an approved, continuous, vapor retarder. The vapor retarder shall be installed on the warm side of the insulation. All seams shall be lapped a minimum of one stud or joist bay or sealed with an approved tape or sealant. All voids between joists and studs shall be insulated and sealed in an approved manner.
Exceptions:
1. In construction where moisture or its freezing will not damage materials.
2. One-third of total installed insulation may be installed on the warm side of vapor retarders.
Section R403.1.1, Programmable Thermostat. Delete this section.
Section R403.2, Hot Water Boiler Outdoor Temperature Setback. Delete this section.
Section R403.3.2, Sealing (Mandatory). Delete this section in its entirety and replace with the following:
All ducts, air handlers, filter boxes, and building cavities used as ducts shall be sealed. Joints and seams shall comply with the 2018 International Mechanical Code as adopted by the City of North Pole.
Section R403.3.8, Duct Material. Create a new subsection to read as follows:
A duct transporting ventilation air shall be constructed of a smooth-walled material, such as galvanized steel or lined fiberglass (rigid or semi-rigid). The use of flexible ducting is approved as a transition from rigid ducting to mechanical and air handling equipment. In all circumstances flexible ducting shall be installed per the manufacturer’s instructions. Flexible ducting shall be supported to prevent sags. The radius at the centerline shall not be less than one duct diameter.
Section R403.4, Mechanical System Piping Insulation (Mandatory). Insert an exception to read as follows:
Exception: piping installed within the building thermal envelope.
Section R403.6, Mechanical Ventilation (Mandatory). Add the following to this paragraph:
Ventilation shall comply with the 2018 International Mechanical Code or the latest edition of the ASHRAE Standard 62.2 as referenced. Exterior exhaust vents shall be located to prevent exhaust air from entering attic or soffit vents.
Section R403.7, Equipment Sizing and Efficiency Rating (Mandatory). Add the following to the end of the paragraph:
Heating and cooling equipment shall be sized in accordance with the 2018 International Mechanical Code as adopted by the City of North Pole or based on design loads determined in accordance with the procedures described in ASHRAE Fundamentals Handbook, or other approved equivalent computational procedures.
Section R404, Electrical Power and Lighting Systems. Delete this section in its entirety.
Section R405.3, Performance-Based Compliance. Add an exception to read as follows:
Exceptions
Compliance may be demonstrated through a home energy rating under a program approved by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) that meets the following:
1. A minimum four star plus rating is required.
2. The maximum air infiltration rate shall not exceed seven air changes per hour at 50 (fifty) Pascal’s pressure difference.
3. The compliance rating shall be performed by a person authorized by AHFC.
4. Compliance with sections 404.4 through 404.6 is not required.
Chapter 6, Referenced Standards. Add the following to the ASHRAE section:
62.2 2013 Ventilation and acceptable indoor air quality in low rise buildings.
(Ord. 22-02 § 2, 2022; Ord. 12-14 § 2, 2012)