WASHINGTON — The District of Columbia recently adopted the 2013 D.C. Construction Codes. Among these codes is the D.C. Green Construction Code, which was developed with the input and support of local experts and stakeholders, including members of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and its National Capital Region Chapter.

“The 2013 D.C. Green Construction Code demonstrates the city’s commitment to being a global leader in sustainability,” said Fulya Kocak, chair, USGBC-NCR, and director of sustainability for Clark Construction Group. “This code will provide every member of the community a green and healthy environment to live, work, or study in this generation. This is a landmark achievement in the history of green buildings.”

Comprised of the 2012 International Green Construction Code (IGCC) with local amendments, the 2013 D.C. Green Construction Code applies to the scope of work of all construction projects greater than 10,000 square feet except single-family homes, townhouses, and multifamily residential construction, three stories or less. Projects greater than 10,000 square feet will have several alternatives for satisfying the Green Construction Code requirements, including Leadership in Energy & Environmental Deisgn (LEED), Enterprise Green Communities, ASHRAE 189.1, or ICC-700 certification. Also included in the code update is the 2013 D.C. Energy Conservation Code, slashing energy use in newly constructed and renovated buildings and sharing the benefits of efficiency across the District.

“It’s a proud day for the District of Columbia, its residents, and its children,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO, and founding chair, USGBC. “As LEED continues to accelerate new frontiers for what’s possible in green building excellence, it is a profound moment when many of our movement’s core ideas, metrics, and practices are woven into the code — a city’s minimum expectation for almost every new building. Congratulations to the mayor and to all those who contributed to this landmark achievement. This unprecedented commitment to green codes and LEED will ensure that more people will enjoy the benefits of healthier, more-efficient, and lower-impact buildings.”

Publication date: 5/26/2014
 

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