Updates to commercial energy efficiency submittal requirements

News Article
This is an image of a mechanical inspector inspecting an air conditioning unit on the roof of a commercial building.
In response to new energy efficiency requirements within the 2021 Oregon Energy Efficiency Specialty Code, the Bureau of Development Services requires additional information as part of each commercial building permit application for new construction or addition to conditioned space.
Published

The information required with new commercial permit applications, received on or after July 5, 2022, is as follows:

  1. Commissioning Compliance information per ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) Standard 90.1-2019 Section 4.2.5.2:
    1. Prior to issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, applicants will be required to submit a Commissioning Compliance Checklist to the building inspector. 
  1. Applicants will be required to provide a general note in the project plan's Code Summary stating:

    "The General Contractor shall provide the completed Commissioning Compliance Checklist to the building inspector prior to issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy to confirm compliance with ASHRAE 90.1 documentation."
     
  2. Air Barrier Compliance information per ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2019 Section 5.4.3.1.1-2:
    1. Prior to issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, applicants will be required to submit a Blower Door Testing or Reporting form to the building inspector. The form is available here.
       
    2. Applicants will be required to provide a general note in the project plan's Code Summary stating:
      "The following areas of the continuous air barrier in the building envelope shall be wrapped, sealed, caulked, gasketed, or taped in compliance with the manufacturer's installation instructions to minimize air leakage:

1.         Joints around fenestration and door frames

2.         Junctions between walls and floors, between walls at building corners, and between walls and roofs

3.         Penetrations through the continuous air barrier in building envelope roofs, walls, and floors

4.         Building assemblies used as ducts or plenums

5.         Joints, seams, connections between planes, and other changes in continuous air barrier materials."

The adopted commercial energy code and additional resources may be found here on the State of Oregon's Building Codes Division website.

For more information, please contact Permitting Services at 503-823-7300 or schedule a 15-minute question appointment with a commercial building code reviewer.

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