California Green Building Standards Code Summary

The recent adoption of the Department of Housing and Community Development’s (HCD) California Green Building Standards by the Building Standards Commission presented an opportunity to update the California Green Builder program in a way that will keep it as the most attractive option to home builders, local governments and homeowner alike.

The California Green Building Standards Code will be published as Part 11 of California’s Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24). Essentially, this code contains a checklist of 16 items to which all homebuilders must comply. Most are either current standard building practices or are redundant of other building codes. The bulk of the code items will become mandatory on January 1, 2011. The requirement for low flow toilets will not go into effect until July 1, 2011, six month after the rest of the code. CGB is adopting the CGBSC early, and has included the checklist as an additional requirement of the program.

406.2 Site Development Plan for storm water drainage and retention during construction; retention basins; storm water filtered by a barrier system to public drainage; compliance with storm water management ordinances

503 Energy Efficiency Performance requirements meet current T-24

506.1 Air Sealing Package Joints and openings must be sealed to the CEC energy standards currently in effect

603 Indoor Water Use 20% reduction in potable water use; each plumbing fixture 20% reduced flow rate: showerheads - 2.5 to 2.0 gpm, bathroom and kitchen faucets - 2.2 to 1.8 gpm, toilets - 1.6 to 1.28 gal/flush.(1.28 gpf toilets are required by code as of 7/1/11) or calculation demonstrating 20% reduction in water use baseline

705.3 Covering of Ducts and Mechanical Equipment From rough until final all ducts shall be covered to reduce dust and debris which may collect in the system

709.2 Construction Waste Reduced 50% reduction of non-hazardous construction and demolition waste or local ordinance, whichever is more stringent (exception: excavated soil and land-clearing debris)

711.2 Building and Maintenance Manual Provided to building owner

804.1.1 Adhesives and Sealants Adhesives and sealants used on the project shall meet the requirements of the following standards: 1. Adhesives, adhesive bonding primers, adhesive primers, sealants and sealant primers shall comply with South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule #1168; and 2. Aerosol adhesives shall meet the requirements of California Code of Regulations, Title 17

804.1.2 Paints and coatings Architectural paints and coatings shall comply with South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule #1113.

804.1.3 Carpet and carpet systems Shall be low VOC

804.1.4.1 Particleboard and medium density fiberboard (MDF) used in interior finish systems Shall be certified to ANSI A208.1 and A208.2 (low formaldehyde emission standards)

804.1.4.2 Hardboard plywood used in interior finish systems Shall be certified and comply with ANSI/PHVA HP-1-2204 and U.S. HUD Title 24, Part 3280 (low formaldehyde emission standards)

805.2.1 Vapor retarder and capillary break installed for slab on grade foundations Min. 4” of ½” clean aggregate base between vapor retarder and slab

805.3 Moisture content of building materials Building materials with visible signs of water damage, mold or other biological growth shall not be installed; interior walls and floors shall not be enclosed if framing members exceed 18% moisture content or if insulation is wet or have a high moisture content

806.3 Bathroom exhaust fans Exhaust fans shall be provided from each room containing a bathtub, shower, or tub/shower combination; exhaust fans shall comply with ASHRAE 62.2, Section 5; exhaust fans shall be ENERGY compliant; exhaust fans shall terminate outside the building

806.4 Filters HVAC filters shall be rated at MERV 6 or higher. Filter grills and duct systems shall be sized to prevent pressure drop across the filter.