The most widely implemented version of the IgCC - the 2012 version - contains 12 chapters. Each chapter focuses on different requirements, as outlined below:
Chapter 1 “Administration” Chapter 1 of the IgCC sets forth the administrative criteria for the code, which is applicable to all occupancies except low-rise residential occupancies. It references the IBC for establishing and operating administrative functions, such as enforcement and appeals and establishes the rights and privileges of the design professional, contractor, and property owner.
Chapter 2 “Definitions” Chapter 2 of the IgCC provides definitions of terms specific to the code, which are shown in italics whenever they appear. The meaning of some of these terms may differ from their usual interpretation, so users should consult Chapter 2 regularly to ensure they interpret them correctly.
Chapter 3 “Jurisdictional Requirements and Life Cycle Assessment” The IgCC code is designed to be flexible in order to allow communities to customize the code to their unique environmental and regional goals. Table 302.1 provides a list of optional, enhanced performance features that become enforceable in the jurisdiction when adopted. The design team can select a minimum number of criteria from a list of options with the agreement of the owner. Certain requirements listed in Table 302.1 may not be appropriate for all jurisdictions, which is why they were not included in the baseline requirements of the IgCC. The following requirement choices are outlined in the table:
Scope • Option to require the code to be applied to certain residential buildings
Site Development and Land use • Flood hazard area preservation • Surface water protection •
Conservation area • Agricultural land • Greenfield sites • High-occupancy parking • Low-emission and
hybrid vehicle parking • Light pollution control
Material Resource Conservation and Efficiency • Minimum percentage of waste diverted from landfills (option to choose from 50% to 75%)
Energy Conservation, Efficiency, and Emission Reduction • Requirement for enhanced energy performance, indicating a zEPI of 46 or less • Automated demand response infrastructure
Water Resource Conservation, Quality, and Comfort • Municipal reclaimed water
Indoor Environmental Quality and Comfort • Post-Construction Pre-Occupancy Baseline IAQ Testing • Sound transmission and sound levels
Existing Buildings • Evaluation of existing buildings • Post Certificate of Occupancy zEPI, energy demand, and
e emissions reporting Note: in the 2012 version, the number of required criteria additions from Chapter 3 was up to the design team, but in the 2015 version this number was set to a minimum of three.
Chapter 4 “Site Development and Land Use” Chapter 4 of the code establishes a set of requirements for the development and maintenance of buildings and building sites with the goal of conserving natural resources and promoting environmentally responsible land use and development. These requirements include site inventory and assessment, storm water management, potable water uses for landscape irrigation and fountains, vegetation and soil protection, diversion of debris and soils, bicycle paths and storage, heat island effect mitigation, and light pollution from buildings.
Chapter 5 “Material Resource Conservation and Efficiency” Chapter 5 of the code encourages the development of buildings that are environmentally friendly and resource efficient. This includes material selection, recycling, reuse, renewability, toxicity, and durability. Section 505 requires a minimum of 55 percent of the material used in a project to be either used, recycled, recyclable, bio-based, or indigenous, unless a whole building life cycle analysis is conducted in accordance with Section 303.
Chapter 6 “Energy Conservation, Efficiency and e Emission Reduction” Chapter 6 outlines requirements for building designs, constructions, commissioning and operations that promote the effective use of energy. It provides two approaches to meet this goal: prescriptive and performance-based. The prescriptive path provides specific requirements for building envelopes, mechanical systems, service water heating systems and electrical power/lighting systems. The performance-based pathway requires modeled requirements and
plug load controls. Other requirements include energy metering, monitoring, and reporting; specification of certain appliances and equipment; building renewable energy systems; and energy systems commissioning.
Chapter 7 “Water Resource Conservation, Quality and Efficiency” Chapter 7 of the code is intended to conserve water, protect its quality, and ensure safe consumption. It requires metering for indoor, outdoor, and wastewater uses, as well as maximum flow rates for water-based heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. The chapter also includes requirements for water treatment systems, rainwater harvesting, greywater systems, and
reclaimed water systems.
Chapter 8 “Indoor Environmental Quality and Comfort” Chapter 8 is designed to ensure that a building's interior environment is suitable for the health of its occupants. It mandates an air quality management plan, ventilation during the construction phase, natural light for certain occupancies, and prohibits smoking indoors. It also limits pollutants in certain rooms, requires filters for air conditioning systems, and regulates emissions from fireplaces, fuel-burning appliances, and gas appliances. It does not allow the use of urea-formaldehyde foam insulation and materials containing asbestos.
Chapter 9 “Commissioning, Operation and Maintenance” Chapter 9 of the building code requires owners and facility managers to operate and maintain buildings in a manner that will achieve the designed performance goals. It implements procedures for pre- and post- occupancy commissioning to evaluate the building's operation, performance, and maintenance. The construction commissioning can be done by the architect, unlike the LEED process.
Chapter 10 “Existing Buildings” This chapter sets out the requirements for alterations, repairs, additions, maintenance, operation, and changes of occupancy for existing buildings and structures.
Chapter 11 “Existing Building Site Development” This chapter covers any changes, repairs, maintenance, and operation to existing building sites, or any improvements to the site, as well as any additions or changes of occupancy within the current buildings on the site.
Chapter 12 “Referenced Standards” Chapter 12 of the IgCC provides a list of the standards referenced in different chapters in alphabetical order, according to the acronym of the organization that issued them. == Adoption ==