Arkansas Administrative Code
Agency 168 - Arkansas Economic Development Commission
Rule 168.00.14-001 - Arkansas Energy Code for New Building Construction Supplements and Amendments 2014 - Update to International Energy Convservation Code 2009
Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 2, February 2024
Introduction
The Arkansas General Assembly authorized the Arkansas Economic Development Commission - Energy Office to promulgate these regulations in Section 3(B)(2)(c) of Act 7 of 1981. These rules and regulations are in adherence with the Administrative Procedures Act. The 2014 Arkansas Energy Code for New Building Construction establishes minimum energy requirements for residential and commercial buildings in the State of Arkansas.
Residential and Commercial
For residential and commercial structures, Arkansas adopts the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), 2009 Edition, published and copyrighted by the International Codes Council.
To order copies of the International Energy Conservation Code 2009 Edition contact:
International Code Council
900 Montclair Road
Birmingham, Alabama 35213-1206
Phone: 1-800-786-4452, Fax: 205-591-0775
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf: 205-599-9742
Copyright © 1996-1998 Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc. All rights reserved.
Web: www.iccsafe.org
Commercial
Chapter 5 of the IECC 2009 allows for an alternative compliance pathway for commercial structures through the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) ANSI / ASHRAE /IESNA Standard 90.1-2007 Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings. Both standards are available separately or in a bundled edition from the International Code Council at the above address.
To order copies of American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2007contact:
American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc.
1791 Tullie Circle, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30329
Phone: 404-636-8400, Fax: 404-321-5478
Web:
Questions, inquiries or request for copies of the 2014 Arkansas Energy Code for New Building Construction Supplements and Amendments may be addressed to:
Arkansas Economic Development Commission - Energy Office
Attn: 2014 Arkansas Energy Code for New Building Construction
900 West Capitol Avenue
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
Phone: 800-558-2633 or 501-682-6103, Fax: 501-682-7499
Email:
Overview
The INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATION CODE, 2009 Edition (IECC 2009), published by the International Code Council, when used in conjunction with these State of Arkansas Supplements and these Amendments to the Arkansas Energy Code for New Building Construction shall constitute the 2014 Arkansas Energy Code. In cases where there are differences between these "Supplements and Amendments" and the IECC 2009 Edition, these "Supplements and Amendments" shall take precedence.
Each of the following Chapters of this document associates directly with the corresponding chapters of the IECC 2009 unless otherwise noted.
Air infiltration accounts for substantial heat loss, heat gain and moisture migration in a building. Proper sealing around all doors, windows and other envelope penetrations through the walls, ceiling and foundation is as important to code compliance as are proper insulation R-values and assembly U-factors.
It is not the intention of this Code to abridge safety or health.
New buildings constructed shall comply with the provisions of this Code in a manner consistent with their obligations under Arkansas State law (see also the current version of the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, Volume I Fire, Volume II Building).
These minimum standards shall not be construed as relieving the licensed builder or contractor of his or her responsibility for compliance with local ordinance, codes and regulations.
Arkansas Amendments
*Revise the International Energy Conservation Code, 2009 Edition, as follows:
CHAPTER 1 ADMINISTRATION
*Delete 'Title' and replace with the following:
*Revise 101.5.1 'Compliance materials' to read as follows:
A label as outlined in 401.3 is required to be posted on new residential construction.
REScheck and COMcheck are computer programs developed by Pacific Northwest National Laboratories for the U.S. Department of Energy (D.O.E.) to assist in demonstration of compliance with the IECC. They may be obtained free of charge from the D.O.E. online at www.energycodes.gov. When following the REScheck compliance pathway, select the appropriate version.
*Revise 101.5.2 "Low energy buildings' to add the following to the list of exempt buildings:
*Add section 103.6 'Design Professional' as follows:
*Revise Section 104 'Inspections' as follows:
*Add Section 110 'Enforcement and Adoption' as follows:
A local government may exercise other administrative and enforcement procedures that it deems necessary to affect the purposes of this Code, including, but not limited to, prior plan approval, building permit requirements, and inspections during the course of construction.
*Add Section 111 'Adoption' as follows:
*Add Section 112 'Effective Date' as follows:
CHAPTER 2 DEFINITIONS
*Revise Section 202 GENERAL DEFINITIONS to include the following:
EFFICIENCY, HVAC SYSTEM. The ratio of useful energy output (at the point of use) to the energy input in consistent units for a designated time period, expressed in percent.
Arkansas Economic Development Commission - Energy Office
RECOOLING. The removal of heat by sensible cooling of the supply air (directly or indirectly) which has been previously heated above the temperature to which the air is to be supplied to the conditioned space for proper control of the temperature of that space.
RECOVERED ENERGY. Energy utilized which would otherwise be wasted (i.e., not contribute to a desired end use) from an energy utilization system.
RESET. Adjustment of the set point of a control instrument to a higher or lower value automatically or manually to conserve energy.
CHAPTER 3 CLIMATE ZONES
*Replace Figure 301.1 with the following:
Figure301.1 Arkansas Climate Zones
*Revise Table 301.1 to include on Arkansas-specific information as follows:
TABLE 301.1 CLIMATE ZONES, MOISTURE REGINES, AND WARM-HUMID DESIGNATIONS BY STATE, COUNTY AND TERRITORY
Climate Zone 4 contains counties of Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Fulton, Izard, Madison, Marion, Newton, Search, Stone and Washington.
Climate Zone 3 contains counties of Arkansas, Ashley, Bradley, Calhoun, Chicot, Clark, Clay, Cleburne, Cleveland, Columbia, Conway, Craighead, Crawford, Crittenden, Dross, Dallas, Desha, Drew, Faulkner, Franklin, Garland, Grant, Greene, Hempstead, Hot Spring, Howard, Independence, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Lafayette, Lawrence, Lee, Lincoln, Little River, Logan, Lonoke, Miller, Mississippi, Monroe, Montgomery, Nevada, Ouachita, Perry, Phillips, Pike, Poinsett, Polk, Pope, Prairie, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Scott, Sebastian, Sevier, Sharp, St. Francis, Union, Van Buren, White, Woodruff and Yell.
CHAPTER 4 RESIDENTIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Arkansas Economic Development Commission - Energy Office
Revise 401.3 'Certificate.' as follows:
*Revise Table 402.1.1, 'INSULATION AND FENESTRATION REQUIREMENTS BY COMPONENTa' as follows:
Revise values for Climate Zone 4 with the values below.
|
CLIMATE ZONE |
FENSTRATION U-FACTORb |
SKYLIGHTb U- FACTOR |
SKYLIGHT GLAZED FENESTRATIO N SHGCb, e |
CEILING R-VALUE |
WOOD FRAME WALL R-VALUE |
MASS WALL R-VALUEI |
FLOOR R-VALUE |
BASEMENTb WALL R-VALUE |
SLABd RVALUE & DEPTH |
CRAWL SPACEC WALL RVALUE |
|
4 except Marine |
.50 |
.65 |
.30 |
30 |
13 |
5/10 |
19 |
10/13 |
0 |
5/13 |
*Delete Section 403.1.1, 'Programmable thermostat.'
*Add new Section 403.2.1.1 'Spray foam insulation.'
This section supersedes the 2010 Arkansas Mechanical Code.
*Revise section 403.2.2 Sealing (Mandatory) as follows:
*Add new section 403.2.2.1 Testing Optional
The results from these leakage tests are used at the time of initial inspection only while in the care of the builder. Leakage tests at a later date cannot be used to claim non-compliance with this Code.
Duct tightness shall be considered acceptable with the requirements of Section 403.2.2 are field verified. Where required by the code official, an approved party independent from the installer of the insulation shall inspect the duct sealing.
Exceptions:
*Revise 403.2.3 'Building cavities (Mandatory)' to read as follows:
*Add new Section 403.2.4, 'Joints and seams', to read as follows:
Exceptions:
*Delete Section 404.1, 'Lighting equipment (Prescriptive)'
CHAPTER 5 COMMERCIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY
*Replace mentions of the International Mechanical Code with theArkansas Mechanical Code in the following in Sections 503.25 'Ventilation', '5013.2.6 'Energy recovery ventilation systems', 503.2.7 'Duct and plenum insulation and sealing', 503.2.7.1 'Duct construction', 503.2.7.1.1 'Low-pressure duct systems', 503.2.7.1.2 'Medium-pressure duct systems', '503.2.9.1 "Air system balancing", 503.3.1 'Economizers', and 503.4.5 'Requirements for complex mechanical systems serving multiple zones."
CHAPTER 6 REFERENCED STANDARDS
*Revise Chapter 6 'Referenced Standards' to include the following:
|
AFC |
Arkansas Fire Prevention Code State Fire Marshal's Office 1 State Police Plaza Drive Little Rock, Arkansas 72209 (501) 618-8621 |
|
|
Standard reference number |
Title |
Referenced in Code section number |
|
AFC |
Arkansas Fire Prevention Code............................... |
103.6 |
|
AMC |
Arkansas Mechanical Code Department of Health Division of Protective Health Codes 4815 West Markham Street, Slot 24 Little Rock, Arkansas 72205-3867 (501)661-2642 |
Referenced in Code section number |
|
AMC |
Arkansas Mechanical Code.................... |
503.2.5,503.2.5.1, 503.2.6, 503.2.7, 503.2.7.1, 503.2.7.1.1, 503.2.7.1.2, 503.2.9.1, 503.1 and 503.4.5 |
Appendices
Appendices are not enforceable unless they are specifically referenced in the body of the code or local authority having jurisdiction. These are included to be helpful in meeting and understanding the 2014 Arkansas Energy Code.
APPENDIX A:
*Add new Appendix A, 'SAMPLE ORDINANCE'
APPENIX B:
*Add new Appendix B, 'AIR SEALING KEY POINTS'
APPPENDIX A: SAMPLE ORDINANCE
ORDINANCE NO. _______
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING MINIMUM ENERGY STANDARDS FOR THE DESIGN OF NEW BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES OR PORTIONS AND ADDITIONS TO EXISTING BUILDINGS THAT PROVIDE FACILITIES OR SHELTER FOR PUBLIC ASSEMBLY, EDUCATION, BUSINESS, MERCANTILE, INSTITUTUIONAL, STORAGE, AND RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCIES, AS WELL AS THOSE PORTIONS OF FACTORY AND INDUSTRIAL OCCUPANCIES DESIGNED PRIMARILY FOR HUMAN OCCUPANCY BY REGULATING THEIR EXTERIOR ENVELOPES AND THE SELECTION OF THEIR HVAC, SERVICE WATER HEATING, ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTUION AND ILLUMINATING SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT FOR EFFECTIVE USE OF ENERGY.
Be in enacted by the City Council of __________________ , Arkansas,
There is hereby adopted by the City Council of __________________________ , Arkansas, for the purpose of establishing rules and regulations for energy efficient standards for new building construction, this Code known as the 2014 Arkansas Energy Code, being particularly the 2014 Arkansas Energy Code edition thereof and the whole thereof, save and except such portions as are hereinafter deleted, modified, or amended, of which not less than three (3) copies of this ordinance, as well as, three (3) copies of the 2014 Arkansas Energy Code, have been and now are filed in the office of the Clerk or Recorder of the city of _______________________ , Arkansas, and the same ordinance is hereby adopted and incorporated as fully as if set out at length herein, and from the date on which this ordinance shall take effect, the provisions thereof shall be controlling in the construction of all buildings and structures therein contained within the corporate limits of the City of ___________________________ , Arkansas.
Ordinances or parts thereof in force at the time that this ordinance shall take effect, if inconsistent herewith, are hereby repealed.
Whereas it is of the utmost urgency that the city of ____________________ , Arkansas, have an up-to date Energy Code to protect the citizens of our city, therefore, an Emergency is hereby declared to exist and this ordinance being necessary for the immediate protection of the public shall take effect immediately on its passage and approval.
Signed: _______________________
Mayor (SEAL)
Attest: ________________________
City Clerk or Recorder
Date Passed: ___________________
APPENDIX B: AIR SEALING KEY POINTS
Guide and illustrations provided by Southface Energy Institute, Inc.
Air Barrier and Insulation Inspection Component Guide
|
NUMBER |
COMPONENT |
CRITERIA |
|
1 |
Air barrier and thermal barrier |
Exterior thermal envelope insulation for framed walls is installed in substantial contact and continuous alignment with building envelope air barrier, Breaks or joints in the air barrier are filled or repaired. Air-permeable insulation is not used as a sealing material. Air-permeable insulation Is inside of an air barrier. |
|
2 |
Ceiling/attic |
Air barrier in any dropped ceiling/soffit is substantially aligned with insulation and any gaps are sealed. Attic access (except unvented attic), knee wall door, or drop down stair is sealed. |
|
3 |
Walls |
Corners and lieaders are insulated. Junction of foundation and sill plate is sealed. |
|
4 |
Windows and doors |
Space between window/door jambs and framing is sealed. |
|
5 |
Rim joists |
Rim joists are insulated and include an air barrier. |
|
6 |
Floors (including above-garage and canliievered foors) |
Insulation is installed to maintain permanent contact with underside of subfloor decking. Air barrier is installed at any exposed edge of insulation. |
|
7 |
Crawl space walls |
insulation is permanently attached to walls. Exposed earth in unvented crawl spaces is covered with Class 1 vapor retarder with overlapping joints taped. |
|
8 |
Shafts. penetrations |
Duct shafts, utility penetrations, knee avails and flue shafts opening to exterior or unconditioned space are sealed. |
|
9 |
Narrow cavities |
Batts in narrow cavities are cut to fit, or narrow cavities are filled by sprayed/blown Insulation. |
|
10 |
Garage separation |
Air sealing is provided between the garage and conditioned spaces. |
|
11 |
Recessed lighting |
Recessed light fixtures are air tight. IC rated, and sealed to drywail, Exception-fixtures in conditioned space. |
|
12 |
Plumbing and wiring |
Insulation is placed between outside and pipes. Batt insulation is cut to fit around viring and plumbing, or sprayed/blown insulation extends behind piping and wiring. |
|
13 |
Shower/tub on exterior wall |
Showers and tubs on exterior walls have insulation and an air barrier separating them from the exterior wall, |
|
14 |
Electrical/phone box on exterior walls |
Air barrier extends behind boxes or air sealed-type boxes are installed. |
|
15 |
Common wall |
Air barrier is installed in common wall between dwelling units. |
|
16 |
HVAC register boots |
HVAC register boots that penetrate building envelope are sealed to subfloor or drywall. |
|
17 |
Fireplace |
Fireplace walls include an air barrier. |
|
Disclaimer: This document is inlenaed solely to rtelp graphically demonstrate the the leakagepruviBions of section 402.4 of the20MIECC II does not cover all airsealing locations or techniques. OIner cooe provisions may oe appilcame as well. |
