The International Code Council is working on the International Green Construction Code (IGCC).  The IGCC is an alternative to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers’ (ASHRAE) green building standard, Standard 189.1.

Importantly, the IGCC directs most residential projects, including multifamily buildings three stories or less, to comply with the National Green Building Standard.  Multifamily buildings four stories or more have the choice of either following the new IGCC provisions or complying with the NGBS. 

The IGCC provides apartment firms with a complete toolbox of green building guidelines while increasing the visibility and credibility of the NGBS.  However, building owners and developers are cautioned that the code is still in draft form and has not been fully vetted through the code development process. 

Since official publication of the IGCC is not expected before 2012, firms should be alert for jurisdictions considering the premature adoption of draft versions.  An additional concern is the fact that the IGCC incorporates the ASHRAE's green building standard 189.1 as an alternative compliance option within the IGCC. 

As currently written, a jurisdiction that approves use of ASHRAE 189.1 for IGCC compliance is agreeing to rely solely on the 189.1 provisions – eliminating the ability of building designers to follow the IGCC’s own criteria.  This is a departure from the usual structure of alternative compliance options, and we are concerned that adopting jurisdictions will not fully understand the implications of their selections.

NMHC will continue to follow the IGCC development process and will develop further guidance for apartment firms facing adoption of green building requirements.