§46-19.5  Energy conservation standards for
building design and construction.  (a)  Energy efficiency building
standards based on the design requirements for improvements of energy
utilization in buildings developed and approved by the American Society of
Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Incorporated (ASHRAE
90.1), shall be incorporated by each county into its building code by
October 24, 1994.  The standards shall apply to all buildings, including
state buildings; provided that the standards for renovated buildings shall only
apply to the renovated system or elements of the building.



(b)  The energy efficiency building standards
shall not apply to exempted buildings.  For the purposes of this section,
"exempted building" means:



(1)  Any building owned or leased in whole or in part
by the United States; and



(2)  Any building that is deliberately preserved
beyond its normal term of use because of historic significance, architectural
interest, or public policy or that qualifies for special historic building code
provisions.



For special applications such as hospitals,
laboratories, thermally sensitive equipment, computer rooms, and manufacturing
and industrial processes, the design concepts and parameters shall conform to
the requirements of the application at minimum energy levels, provided that
where these special applications are described in the ASHRAE handbook and
product directory, applications volume, the criteria described therein shall be
used.



(c)  The energy efficiency building standards
shall be enforced at the time of construction of a new building or at the time
of major addition, alteration, or repair of an existing building when the
proposed major addition, alteration, or repair must comply with the standards
applicable to new buildings under the applicable county building code.  No
official of the State nor of any county charged with the enforcement of laws or
ordinances pertaining to the construction or alteration of buildings or
structures shall accept or approve any plan or specification including or
pertaining to the design and construction details and standards for a heating
or cooling system unless the energy efficiency building standards are met.  All
such plans and specifications submitted with or in connection with an
application for a building or construction permit shall bear the certification
by a registered architect or engineer that the plans and specifications comply
with the energy efficiency building standards.



(d)  At such time as performance standards that
address the overall energy performance of buildings are promulgated pursuant to
the Energy Conservation Standards for New Buildings Act of 1976, title III of
the Energy Conservation and Production Act, Public Law 94-385, such standards
shall be considered for adoption by each county and shall be incorporated into
its building code in addition to the standard adopted pursuant to subsection
(a) above, as required by federal law. [L 1978, c 133, §1; am L 1994, c 168,
§1]



 



Cross References



 



  Energy efficiency through life-cycle costing, see §103D-410.