IAPMO announced the launch of its Green Plumbing and Mechanical Code
Supplement, which standardizes sustainable residential and commercial plumbing
and mechanical systems for the industry. "The building codes are perhaps
the biggest hindrance to the adoption of green buildings," said
Dave
Viola, IAPMO director of Special Services and staff liaison to the
Green Technical Committee (GTC) that developed the document. "There's so
little information about how to do green systems properly and safely within
existing building codes, so we've rolled out a document that shows exactly how
it's done."
The Green Supplement is said to bridge the previously troublesome gap
between existing codes and established green building programs. The
comprehensive document addresses such areas as:
- Use of alternate water sources (gray water, rainwater
harvesting)
- Proper use of high-efficiency plumbing products
- Conservation of hot water
- Energy conservation in HVAC systems
- Training/education in green plumbing systems
Established in January 2008, the 25-member GTC is comprised of a who's who
of industry leaders in all facets of the sustainable plumbing and mechanical
fields, along with 60 other plumbers, contractors, engineers, inspectors and
energy/water conservation experts enlisted for task groups.
"Many of the provisions in the Green Supplement are very
advanced," said
Amir Tabakh, director of Environmental
Engineering, Environmental Affairs Division of the City of Los Angeles
Department of Water and Power, and a member of the GTC. "These standards
are 5-7 years ahead of the local codes. The Green Supplement gives a local
jurisdiction the opportunity to adopt a superior product, a superior standard
without waiting 5-7 years."
Though provisions dealing with sustainable plumbing are prominent, Tabakh
contends the mechanical aspects should not be overlooked. "According to
the California Energy Commission, 30 percent of the state's energy consumption
within commercial buildings is mechanical equipment," he said. "If
that 30 percent is positively impacted, it means many more electrical systems
will become highly efficient. So, this document ultimately touches national
standards for electrical efficiency."
For more information, visit
www.iapmo.org/Pages/IAPMO_Green.aspx.
