U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy

Codes and Standards

Proficiency Level 1: Remember

Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Define building codes and list professionals who apply building codes.

Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Define an industry standard, give an example of an industry standard, and explain how a building standard is different from a building code.

Proficiency Level 2: Understand

Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Explain the purpose of building codes and list at least five building professions who apply codes in their work.  

Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Define a model code and list five examples of model codes.

Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Identify key elements of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) related to building science

Proficiency Level 3: Apply

Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Demonstrate an understanding of how a model code is developed and adopted, using a model energy code as an example.

Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Demonstrate your understanding of how an industry standard is developed, using an energy standard as an example.

Proficiency Level 4: Analyze

Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Distinguish how model code adoption by legislation, regulation, and a local government are different by using the model energy code as an example.

Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

For a residential building analyze five specific model codes (for your climate zone and local area) with corresponding ENERGY STAR requirements for the same building measures.

Proficiency Level 1: Remember

Source: Understanding Building Energy Codes and Standards
Understanding Building Energy Codes and Standards
Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Codes and Standards - Level 1These are lecture notes to support the learning objectives related to the codes and standards module and focusing on level 1 content. (One Hour)

Proficiency Level 2: Understand

Source: Understanding Building Energy Codes and Standards
Understanding Building Energy Codes and Standards
Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Codes and Standards - Level 2These are lecture notes to support the learning objectives related to the codes and standards module and focusing on level 2 content. (One Hour)

Proficiency Level 3: Apply

Source: Understanding Building Energy Codes and Standards
Understanding Building Energy Codes and Standards
Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Homes Requirements
ENERGY STAR Certified Homes Requirements
Codes and Standards - Level 3These are lecture notes to support the learning objectives related to the codes and standards module and focusing on level 3 content. (One Hour)

Proficiency Level 4: Analyze

Source: Understanding Building Energy Codes and Standards
Understanding Building Energy Codes and Standards
Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Homes Requirements
ENERGY STAR Certified Homes Requirements
Source: Energy Codes Website
Energy Codes Website
Codes and Standards - Level 4These are lecture notes to support the learning objectives related to the codes and standards module and focusing on level 4 content. (Three Hours)

Proficiency Level 1: Remember

Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Industry Standard BasicsCircle all that are true about industry standards: A.        Are not mandatory, but serve as national recommendations. B.        Describe how a building should be constructed. C.        Specify how buildings must be constructed or perform. D...
Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Model Code IdentificationWhich if the following is not a model code: A.        International Fire Code B.        International Plumbing Code C.        ASHRAE standard 90.2 D.        International Electrical Code

Proficiency Level 2: Understand

Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Code Related ProfessionalsWhich of the following professionals need an understanding of building codes but do not apply building codes in their normal job duties? A.        electricians B.        plumbers C.        realtors D.        architects
Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
International Energy Conservation CodeWhich of the following aspects of building design are not included in the IECC? Fire prevention strategies Building insulation requirements Window performance criteria Duct insulation requirements
Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Model Code BasicsWhat is a model code? What are five examples of model codes?

Proficiency Level 3: Apply

Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Energy Standard DevelopmentWhich of the following statements is not true about how an energy standard is developed and revised? A.        The entire process can take as little as two years or up to 10 years. B.        Public review of standards commonly occurs 1 year after...
Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Model Code Development and AdoptionWhich of the following statements is not true about how a model energy code is developed and adopted? A.        The period between adoption and effective date typically varies from 2 months to 2 years. B.        The IECC is revised on an annual...

Proficiency Level 4: Analyze

Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Model Code AdoptionExplain how energy model code adoption by legislation, regulation, and a local government are different.
Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Model Code Versus ENERGY STAR RequirementsFor a residential building in Portland, OR (IECC climate zone 4 marine), use a table to compare five measures between the model code and the corresponding ENERGY STAR requirements.