Page 484 - 2018_IRC

Part IV—Energy Conservation

CHAPTER 11 [RE]

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

User note:
About this chapter: The purpose of Chapter 11 [RE] is to provide minimum design requirements that will promote efficient utilization of
energy in buildings. The requirements are directed toward the design of building envelopes with adequate thermal resistance and low air leak-
age, and toward the design and selection of mechanical, water heating, electrical and illumination systems that promote effective use of
depletable energy resources.

SECTION N1101 building, systems and equipment as herein governed. Details
GENERAL shall include the following as applicable:
N1101.1 Scope. This chapter regulates the energy efficiency 1. Insulation materials and their R-values.
for the design and construction of buildings regulated by this
code. 2. Fenestration U-factors and solar heat gain coefficients
(SHGC).
Note: The text of the following Sections N1101.2 through
N1111 parallels the text of the 2018 edition of the Interna- 3. Area-weighted U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient
tional Energy Conservation Code—Residential Provisions (SHGC) calculations.
(IECC-R). The section numbers appearing in parenthesis 4. Mechanical system design criteria.
after each section number are the section numbers of the cor-
responding text in the IECC-R. If a section does not have a 5. Mechanical and service water heating systems and
section number in parenthesis after it, then there is no corre- equipment types, sizes and efficiencies.
sponding text in the IECC-R. 6. Equipment and system controls.
N1101.2 (R101.3) Intent. This chapter shall regulate the 7. Duct sealing, duct and pipe insulation and location.
design and construction of buildings for the effective use and
conservation of energy over the useful life of each building. 8. Air sealing details.
This chapter is intended to provide flexibility to permit the N1101.5.1 (R103.2.1) Building thermal envelope depic-
use of innovative approaches and techniques to achieve this tion. The building thermal envelope shall be represented
objective. This chapter is not intended to abridge safety, on the construction documents.
health or environmental requirements contained in other
applicable codes or ordinances. N1101.6 (R202) Defined terms. The following words and
terms shall, for the purposes of this chapter, have the mean-
N1101.3 (R101.5.1) Compliance materials. The building ings shown herein.
official shall be permitted to approve specific computer soft-
ware, worksheets, compliance manuals and other similar ABOVE-GRADE WALL. A wall more than 50 percent above
materials that meet the intent of this chapter. grade and enclosing conditioned space. This includes
between-floor spandrels, peripheral edges of floors, roof and
N1101.4 (R102.1.1) Above code programs. The building basement knee walls, dormer walls, gable end walls, walls
official or other authority having jurisdiction shall be permit- enclosing a mansard roof and skylight shafts.
ted to deem a national, state or local energy-efficiency pro-
gram to exceed the energy efficiency required by this code. ACCESSIBLE. Admitting close approach as a result of not
Buildings approved in writing by such an energy-efficiency being guarded by locked doors, elevation or other effective
program shall be considered to be in compliance with this means (see “Readily accessible”).
code. The requirements identified as “mandatory” in this
chapter, as applicable, shall be met. ADDITION. An extension or increase in the conditioned
space floor area, number of stories or height of a building or
N1101.5 (R103.2) Information on construction docu- structure.
ments. Construction documents shall be drawn to scale on AIR BARRIER. One or more materials joined together in a
suitable material. Electronic media documents are permitted continuous manner to restrict or prevent the passage of air
to be submitted when approved by the building official. Con- through the building thermal envelope and its assemblies.
struction documents shall be of sufficient clarity to indicate
the location, nature and extent of the work proposed, and AIR-IMPERMEABLE INSULATION. An insulation that
show in sufficient detail pertinent data and features of the functions as an air barrier material.

2018 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE ® 459
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