Beyond Repairs, How the IBC (International Building Code) Impacts New Buildings and Building Rehabilitation

This presentation looks at buildings that are new or being rehabilitated and the impact on making buildings more energy efficient. Starting with the 2012 IBC, and specifically the 2012 IECC portion of the building code and newer versions, the presentation will look at three aspects of the building envelope: Water Resistance, Air Leakage, and Moisture Transmission. It will then compare to identical buildings, the first built in 2000 and the second constructed in 2020. Illustrations and calculations will show how controlling air leakage can have an enormous impact on the service life of the structure, initial cost of construction, and on-going operations. Lastly, the presentation will look at how incorporating simple additions during the repair/rehabilitation process can have a positive impact on the environment as well as the building owner and the building’s constituents.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the requirements of the Building Code on the building envelope including fire resistance (NFPA 285).
2. Understand the importance of controlling air leakage.
3. Learn points of consideration and available options to improve building envelope performance.
4. Understand sustainable impacts on design considerations.