SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT - BUILDING SERVICES

Current Efforts

2006 International Code
Building Services has adopted the 2006 International Code Council’s (ICC) standards for green building practices. The City of Bryan is slated to adopt the newest version of the International Code when it is released in 2009.

2003 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
Building Services has adopted the 2003 IECC and is partnering with Texas A&M’s Energy Laboratory to ensure the adoption of the 2006 IECC will comply with Texas state building laws. Building Services is looking at adopting the following amendments to the IECC:

• Requiring air duct leakage testing in residential HVAC systems;
• Requiring certain percentage of indoor lamps to be Energy Star compliant;
• Requiring outdoor lamps to be high efficiency or controlled by a photocell;
• Allow electrical water heaters with solar panels as primary source of power;

Additionally, building services is looking at providing ICC sponsored seminars to discuss green building topics for local code officials, homebuilders, design professionals, contractors, etc.

Other Building Services Initiatives
In addition to adopting the above green codes, Building Services is:

• Supporting BTU in re-establishing testing of residential thermal envelopes for infiltration;
• Pursuing LEED certification through the Green Building Certification Institute; and
• Investigating greener driveway and curb materials which will decrease water runoff and building temperatures.