The International Code Council has developed a draft version of an International Green Construction Code (IGCC) that was released for public comment on March 15. The IGCC covers apartment properties.
As reported in February, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has also recently published a new green building standard, Standard 189.1.
Importantly, the IGCC references the National Green Building Standard (NGBS) (which ASHRAE 189.1 does not), and multifamily buildings can comply with the IGCC by either following the new IGCC provisions or by simply complying with the NGBS. The NGBS has been a top priority for NAA/NMHC, who were instrumental in ensuring that apartments were included in the green building standard.
NAA/NMHC continue to advocate for green building standards that specifically address multifamily buildings and that provide meaningful and cost-effective green solutions to the apartment industry.