EAC and Florida's Energy Code
By Robert Farmer
Thanks to Isaac Jones’ Energy Advisory Committee “Call to Action” insert last month, the Chapter is developing recommendations on IAQ and also recommending Bill Davis’ suggestion that an EMS in every existing and new commercial building should be part of the Florida Energy Efficiency Code for Building Construction (the Code). Stephen Turner, Don Herrmann and Ron Bailey are assisting me in developing the indoor air quality recommendations to be presented to the EAC. The Code is expected to be featured prominently in our IAQ recommendations.
As most people in this industry know, the most important set of energy standards in this state is the Florida Energy Efficiency Code for Building Construction. The 1993 edition is the current version but Florida DCA is required by Florida law, at least triennially, to determine the need for revision or modification and has begun the process of implementing a revised edition to be in place by September 1997.
Public workshops have been held, and a 224-page book containing all change proposals received since the 1993 edition of the Code went out for public review and comment. The collated comments will now be presented to the Florida Board of Building Codes and Standards at their December 16-17 meeting. The Mechanical Committee of the Board will review the comments and provide recommendations to the Board for consideration. Recommendations approved by the Board will form the backbone of 1997 Code revisions to be discussed at hearings planned for late February 1997.
As you can see, the 1997 Code will be the product of a great many change proposals received by DCA since the 1993 edition went into effect. Because the Code is being reviewed constantly for improvement, there is no better time to get involved than the present.
Knowledge of the Code, your own experience and qualifications, an interest in contributing to Florida’s energy well-being (as well as your own), and access to the process are all you require.
Coincidentally, as of September 30th, DCA’s Codes and Standards Office announced they were updating and purging their 3 mailing lists of 20,000 individuals and organizations and building a new master database. Write to Rick Dixon, Program Administrator, DCA’s Codes and Standards Office, 2555 Shumard Oak Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2100, requesting a Survey of Communications Needs to ensure you remain on DCA’s mailing list, or to gain access to the process. •
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