The International Code Council's highly anticipated Public Version of the International Green Construction Code (IGCC), available on March 15, offers many exclusive benefits specific to Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas (PMG) issues, arguably the most important of which is its integration with all of the other International Codes (I-Codes). This makes implementing and enforcing it much more efficient and effective, particularly since the majority of jurisdictions in the U.S. that adopt codes have chosen the I-Codes, including those addressing PMG issues.

You can download a free version of the IGCC via a link on the IGCC website starting March 15.

Jay Peters, Executive Director of the Code Council's Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Group, indicates that understanding sustainable design and the codes that support it is not a passing fad, but an enduring need that will result in the integration of green construction practices into standard construction practices. "It will soon become second nature to implement greener plumbing, mechanical and other energy- and resource-saving practices," Peters said.

Since many sustainable applications center on plumbing and mechanical building practices that conserve water and renewable and non-renewable energy sources, many of the provisions in the IGCC focus on plumbing and mechanical practices.

The IGCC will use as a baseline the myriad sustainable plumbing provisions referenced in the 2009 International Plumbing Code. Building from those provisions, the IGGC will provide the most comprehensive and effective code for water conservation across many applications and industries, as well as address alternative water sources like gray water, rain water and reclaimed water. This is important, not just for regions struggling with limited water supplies, but also to offset possible water shortages in the future, even in areas where this has never been an issue.

Also, unlike other green standards and rating systems that use rigid and inflexible water reduction requirements, the IGCC offers a performance-based system for water conservation in plumbing fixtures while also offering designers greater flexibility in selecting the right devices for their projects.

On the mechanical side, there are many new IGCC provisions that complement the extensive sustainable provisions incorporated into the 2009 International Mechanical Code. The IGCC addresses extensive energy conservation, efficiency and atmospheric quality applications, along with the latest alternative energy technologies such as wind turbines, geothermal heating, solar energy, energy recovery, and management and control systems.

The IGCC is an exciting new addition to the extensive sustainable design provisions the Code Council has developed over the past several years, and with many in development and planned for future publication—all of which are designed to help building professionals build stronger, safer and smarter communities for our planet.

Visit our IGCC website to learn more about this exciting new code and its PMG sections.