How Energy Codes Can Improve Resilience
Safely Shelter in Place
Regularly updated, strong building energy codes are a key component of resilience policy. They provide benefits that help people prepare for, withstand and recover from disasters. A FEMA study conducted after Superstorm Sandy found that homes built to newer energy codes enabled residents to safely stay in their homes longer after a power outage compared to similar buildings built under an older code. Sheltering in a building that remains habitable during an adverse event, or Passive Survivability, is especially important during times of loss of energy, water or sewage services. The ability to shelter in place longer saves lives and provides critical flexibility for deploying first responder resources. This benefit is a direct result of the improvements newer energy codes make to the building envelope.
Reduce Energy Costs and Electrical Grid Strain
Energy codes ensure that homes and commercial buildings are constructed with a range of efficiency measures - including insulation, efficient windows, mechanical systems and air sealing - that reduce the energy consumption of the buildings and lower the demand on the grid. When the electrical grid remains reliable for longer periods of time, the need for emergency services and shelters is decreased. Energy-efficient buildings can also reduce the cost of energy for occupants and owners, helping them withstand the volatility of energy prices and reducing the likeliness of experiencing energy burden. By spending less money on energy, community members are then better able to financially plan for and cope with the effects of adverse events. The most cost-effective time to install these efficiency and resilience measures is at the time of construction, and they will continue to provide financial benefits to occupants and the larger community for the life of the building.
Model Code Standards that Improve Resilience
2018 International Green Construction Code
This is the first model code to include sustainability and resilience measures for an entire construction project and its site—from design, through construction, certificate of occupancy and beyond. The IgCC establishes a baseline for new and existing commercial buildings related to energy conservation, water efficiency, site impacts, building waste, material resource efficiency and other sustainability measures. The code acts as an overlay to the existing set of International Codes, including provisions of the IECC and the NGBS, and incorporates ASHRAE Standard 189.1 as an alternate path to compliance.
2021 International Energy Conservation Code/ANSI/ASHRAE 90.1-2019
This code sets minimum energy efficiency provisions for both residential and commercial buildings. The IECC covers new construction, additions, remodeling, window replacement and repairs of specified buildings, with each implementing the green construction code that will contribute towards a healthier, lower impact and more sustainable building practices. Users of the code can choose between two methods for showing compliance: prescriptive or performance.
ICC 500-2020 Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters
This ANSI-approved standard provides minimum design and construction requirements for storm shelters that provide safe refuge from storms producing high winds, hurricanes and tornadoes. It contains design requirements for the main wind-resisting structural system and components and cladding of these shelters and provides basic occupant life safety and health requirements for these shelters including means of egress, lighting, sanitation, ventilation, fire safety and floor space.