THE AHFC BOARD OF DIRECTORS will meet at 10:00 a.m. on November 28, 2018 at the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (“AHFC”) boardroom, 4300 Boniface Parkway, Anchorage, Alaska.
THE AGENDA will include: A. Consideration of a resolution adopting amendments to the MINIMUM CONSTRUCTION STANDARD per 15 AAC 150.035 to adopt the 2018 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE WITH ALASKA-SPECIFIC AMENDMENTS and the INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE PERTAINING TO RESIDENTIAL 4 PLEX DWELLINGS AND BELOW; B. Consideration of a resolution adopting amendments to THE BUILDING ENERGY EFFICIENCY STANDARD per 15 AAC 155.010 adopt THE 2018 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATION CODE AND AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEATING, REFRIGERATION AND AIR-CONDITIONING ENGINEERS STANDARD 62.2-2016 WITH ALASKA-SPECIFIC AMENDMENTS;
Currently Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) has amended and adopted the 2012 International Residential Code (IRC), International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and ASHRAE 62.2-2010 to comply with the required Building Energy Efficiency Standard (BEES) and Minimum Construction Standards.
AHFC is reviewing the 2018 ICC codes to determine if we should adopt the latest version of codes or stay with the already adopted codes. Reviews may include the:
- International Residential Code (IRC)
- International Building Code (IBC)
- International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) Residential & Commercial
- AHSRAE 62.2 – 2016 Ventilation
We would like to invite industry experts to weigh in on specific sections relating to their fields. If changes are to be made and we adopt these codes we would like to do so in a timely manner whereby builders, owners and other industry parties would have time to properly prepare for the next building season. It is anticipated that we will start mid-June and complete the process by the end of summer. Most of the meetings will be held via WebEx in an effort to minimize travel and time away from work. Further information will be forwarded to the interested parties when it becomes available.
If you are interested in participating, please let me know which portions of the codes you plan on reviewing. Additionally if you are aware of someone who might be interested please forward this email to them.
Thanks, Mike Spencer
Builders, ICC inspectors and Municipal code authorities:
In February 2016 the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) adopted the 2012 International Residential Code (IRC). The effective date of this adoption is for homes started (foundation poured) on or later than April 1, 2016. This aligned the construction standards that AHFC uses to the 2012 (International Code Council) ICC family of codes, as AHFC adopted the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) in 2013. The Building Energy Efficiency Standard (BEES) is based on the 2012 IECC, ASHREA 62.2-2010, and the Alaska Specific Amendments. Compliance to the BEES mandatory measures is verified with the PUR-101 which is performed by an AHFC authorized energy rater. The PUR-102 which is performed by an ICC inspector or authorized agent for an approved municipality through their Certificate of Occupancy (CO).
The PUR-101 will be completed during the course of a rating. If all the mandatory measures they are responsible for are met, the energy rater will be able to print a passing BEES PUR-101 certificate. If any mandatory measure is not met, the energy rater will not be able to print a passing BEES PUR-101 certificate.
Certain mandatory measures are not accessible during an energy rating. These items need to be inspected by an authorized ICC inspector or agent of one of the approved municipalities during the course of their other building inspections. The ICC inspector will document the inspections on the PUR-102 which can be found on the AHFC website https://www.ahfc.us/pros/builders/builder-manuals-forms-and-reference/ .
The separation of these items are listed in the Alaska Minimum Construction Standards, .04 Building Energy Efficiency Standard (BEES ) Compliance, A. Energy Rating Verified Mandatory Measures and B. Construction Inspection Mandatory Measures. The entire standard can be found at https://www.ahfc.us/pros/builders/alaska-minimum-construction-standards/.
Again, AHFC has extended the expiration date for all current BEES Compliance Certificate holders until May 1, 2016 pending board action. AHFC’s web page will be updated to show this extension.
Proposed amendments to the Minimum Construction Standards per 15 AAC 150.035 from 2009 IRC to the 2012 IRC with Alaska-specific amendments
The public is invited to offer comments on proposed amendments to 15 AAC 150.035 to name the 2012 International Residential Code with Alaska-specific amendments as the minimum construction standard for residential buildings containing four or fewer dwelling units. A copy of the proposed amendments can be downloaded from www.ahfc.us (click on Public Notices, then Requests for Public Comment).
The public comment period which began on September 1, 2015 through November 20, 2015 at 5:00 p.m., local Anchorage time. Please note that this is an extension to the original end date of September 30, 2015. Comments may be faxed, mailed or e-mailed to:
Sina Alailefaleula
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation
P.O. Box 101020
Anchorage, Alaska 99510
907-330-8247 (FAX)
Please note that comments must be submitted in writing through the above described process; an additional public hearing will not take place in conjunction with this extension.
R403.6 Equipment sizing and installation (Mandatory). This subsection is waived thru 12.31.2014. This section will be required effective 1.1.2015.
Heating and cooling equipment shall be sized in accordance with ACCA Manual S based on building loads calculated in accordance with ACCA Manual J or other approved heating and cooling calculation methodologies. The AkWarm design heating load methodology is an approved heating calculation methodology. All heating, cooling, and ventilating equipment shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions and the requirements of this code. All heating and cooling equipment shall be sized to meet less than 125% of the load calculated by the method provided in ACCA Manual J or other heating and cooling load calculation methodology whenever this is feasible given the size options for the equipment available from the manufacturer; when this is not feasible, the equipment delivering the smallest output that will satisfy the load calculation shall be chosen.Please be advised that any New Construction Rebate application that arrives at AHFC after 1/1/2015 in which the heating system size is oversized by more than 125% (or the next available size greater than the heat load calculations) without an approved heat load calculation will be returned to the owner until they are able to correct this mandatory measure.
Please use the new PUR 101, available on the AHFC website, for all BEES ratings from today forward.If you have a BEES rating which has not been recorded, please use this form instead of any other form, including the form printed from AkWarm.If there is a BEES rating which has been recorded on a different version of the PUR-101, please allow it to be processed as usual. You do not have to re-record the PUR-101.If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me
Michael D. Spencer
Energy Specialist I / Department of Research and Rural DevelopmentP.O. Box 101020 | Anchorage, Alaska 99510
Direct: 907-330-8197 | Fax: 907-330-8247 | www.ahfc.us<http://www.ahfc.
Builders:Resolution NO. 14-30, effective June 18th, 2014, adopted amendments to the 2012 BEES (2012 International Energy Conservation Code with Alaska Specific Amendments).This Resolution waived the requirements of R403.6 Equipment Sizing and Installation, as shown below:R403.6 Equipment sizing and installation (Mandatory). This subsection is waived thru 12.31.2014. This section will be required effective 1.1.2015. Heating and cooling equipment shall be sized in accordance with ACCA Manual S based on building loads calculated in accordance with ACCA Manual J or other approved heating and cooling calculation methodologies. The AkWarm design heating load methodology is an approved heating calculation methodology. All heating, cooling, and ventilating equipment shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions and the requirements of this code. All heating and cooling equipment shall be sized to meet less than 125% of the load calculated by the method provided in ACCA Manual J or other heating and cooling load calculation methodology whenever this is feasible given the size options for the equipment available from the manufacturer; when this is not feasible, the equipment delivering the smallest output that will satisfy the load calculation shall be chosen.
On March 12th, 2015, as a result of a high percentage of BEES homes not meeting the requirements of this provision, it was determined that the waiver expiration date of 1/1/2015 will apply to homes where construction began on or after 1/1/2015.
R403.6 Equipment Sizing and Installation is a mandatory provision for BEES compliance for all homes where construction began on or after 1/1/2015.
Please feel free to contact AHFC with any questions or concerns.
