Type of Building Code

Type of Building Code

• Cooling Based

  Mostly a cooling based climate.

• Prescriptive Codes
• Trade Off

  Building Envelope Trade-Off Option - This is a systems-based approach, where the thermal performance of individual envelope components can be reduced if compensated by higher efficiency in other building components (i.e., using higher wall insulation could allow for a less stringent U-factor requirement for windows, or vice versa.)

• Performance Codes for Refurbishments
• Performance Codes for New Builds
• Energy Declaration
• Model / reference Building

  Whole Building Performance (WBP) Method is an alternative method to comply with the Code. This method is more complex than the Prescriptive Method, but offers considerable design flexibility. Based on a reference building.

• Mix of different models / Hybrids

Energy Covered

Basis for Energy Requirements

• Overall performance frame
• Final Energy

  Calculations are based on measurable end use energy on site. Annual energy use for the purposes of the whole building performance method shall be calculated in kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity use per year. Energy sources other than electricity which are used is used in the building shall be converted to kWh of electric energy at the rate of 0.75 kWh per megaJoule.

• Primary Energy
• Life Cycle Assessment considered (embedded energy)

Energy Uses and Functions Covered by the Code

• Heating

  Prescriptive energy efficiency performance requirements for heating systems.

• Cooling

  Prescriptive energy efficiency performance requirements for cooling systems.

• Dehumidification
• Ventilation

  HVAC design considers all the interrelated building systems while addressing indoor air quality, thermal comfort, energy consumption, and environmental benefits.

• Airtightness

  Partially, requirements for fenstration components, but not the envelope as a whole. Air leakage for glazed swinging entrance doors and revolving doors shall not exceed 5.0 l/s- m2. Air leakage for other fenestration and doors shall not exceed 2.0 l/s-m2.

• Thermal bridging
• Hot water

  Performance requirements for most systems.

• Technical installations

  Efficiency requirements for most systems in the buildings. The mandatory requirements of the Code, cover the following electrical equipment and systems of building: • Transformers • Energy- Efficient Motors • Power Factor Correction • Electrical Metering and Monitoring • Power Distribution Systems

• Lighting

  The mandatory requirements for lighting mostly relate to interior and exterior lighting controls, these include scheduling controls, occupancy sensors, space control. Interior lighting systems in buildings larger than 500 m2 (5,000 ft2) shall be equipped with an automatic control device.

• Appliances

  Efficiency requirements for most systems in the buildings.

• Design, position & orientation of building

  Considerd within natural ventilation requirements.

• Heat recovery
• Passive solar
• Passive cooling

  When designing a cool roof, requirements for minimum solar reflectance and initial emittance levels are specified.

• Natural ventilation

  Energy Conservation in Ventilation System Maximum possible use should be made of wind-induced natural ventilation. Natural ventilation shall comply with the design guidelines provided for natural ventilation in the National Building Code of India 2005 Part 8, 5.4.3 and 5.7.1.1.

• Solar protection

  Overhang requirements, SHGC requirements, visual light transmittance value requirements.

• Daylighting requirements

  Luminaires in daylighted areas greater than 25 m2 (250 ft2) shall be equipped with either a manual or automatic control device that: (a) Is capable of reducing the light output of the luminaires in the daylighted areas by at least 50%, and (b) Controls only the luminaires located entirely within the daylighted area.

• Renewable Energy (solar, PV, others)

  Residential facilities, hotels and hospitals with a centralized system shall have solar water heating for at least 1/5 of the design capacity.

• Local renewable sources
• Energy Offsets/Green Certificates

Enforcement

Type of Enforcement

• Local enforcement
  Administration and enforcement of the Code is carried out by the local Authority. Although the compliance and enforcement process may vary somewhat with each adopting jurisdiction, the enforcement authority is generally the building department or other agency that has responsibility for approving and issuing building permits.
• Third party inspection
  Currently developing a framework for third party assessments by accredited professionals and if accepted by the government, it will still take a few years before it is put in place.
• Central enforcement
• Accreditation of applicants
  During construction, the contractor must carefully follow the approved plans and specifications. The design professional should carefully check the specifications and working drawings that demonstrate compliance and should observe the construction in progress to see that compliance is achieved. The building official must verify that the building is constructed according to the plans and specifications.
• Post Occupancy control

On-site Inspections Occur

• On-site inspections
• During construction
• Post completion
  HVAC system testing.
• Post occupancy

Certification to Support Enforcement of Code

• Energy Performance Certificate support BC
• Positive labeling for building beyond the minimum BC level
• Existence of EPC register database at national level
• Inspection of boilers
  Post completion commissioning.
• Inspection of HVAC systems
  Post completion commissioning.

Penalties for Non-compliance

• None
  The code is not mandatory in the country, the non compliance aspects are being designed. They can differ by local jurisdictions.
• Fine
• Imprisonment
• Refusal of permission to occupy
  When non-compliance or omissions are discovered during the plan review process, the building official may issue a correction list and require the plans and applications to be revised to bring them into compliance prior to issuing a building permit. In addition, the building official has the authority to stop work during construction when a code violation is discovered.
• Refusal of permission to construct
• Demolition

Measures Supporting Enforcement

• Commissioning requirements
  After completion of construction, the contractor and/or designer should provide information to the building operators on maintenance and operation of the building and its equipment. Although only minimal completion and commissioning is required by the Code, most energy efficiency experts agree that full commissioning is important for proper building operation and management.
• Airtightness testing required prior to compliance
  No testing requirements.
• Mandatory Computer Modeling
  Partially, designers can choose to use computer modeling as one method to show expected performance and compliance with the ECBC. However, computer modeling to achieve/show compliance is not mandatory.
• Training of Inspectors
  There are no formal trainings at the moment, the structure for training is only being recommended through the third party framework development.
• Other

Values for New Buildings

Code History and Future Targets

• Are stakeholders informed of future targets far in advance?

  Yes

Zero Energy Targets

• Definition of nZEB/ZEB/Plus Energy etc
• Are all end uses considered in the target?
• Is there a realistic roadmap towards ZEB
• National Target date for nZEB

  Currently, there is no binding nZEB strategy.

• Special Requirements for public buildings

Supporting Measures

• Incentives/Rewards to Encourage People to go beyond Minimum Level?
• Involvement of Stakeholders in the Development of Codes
• Level of Training Provided to Stakeholders Following Implementation of Code?
• Provision of Appropriate Information for General Public
• Supporting Labeling Schemes
• Supporting Certification Schemes
• Codes Free to Access?