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Abu Dhabi’s New Building Codes: Underpinning Sustainable

Development

Big 5, 2012

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4 entities, DMA, Abu Dhabi Municipality, Al Ain Municipality, Western Region Municipality

Staff of 4000+

DMA develops strategy, policy and regulations.

Municipalities are the implementation arm.

The DMA

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Vision

“An advanced municipal system that enables sustainable development and enhances quality of living for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.”

Mission

“To achieve the Abu Dhabi Government’s objective of providing distinctive municipal services that enhance the quality of living of all residents through coordination, oversight and monitoring of the Abu Dhabi Municipalities and Municipal Councils”

DMA’s Vision & Mission

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In 2006 the government underwent a restructure to create a decentralized model…..

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of specialist departments with specific functions…

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DMA is providing the integrated framework to enable the development of sustainable cities, with an enhanced quality of

life…

Commitment towards creating cities

that are economically, socially and ecologically sustainable.

Collaborate with other government agencies.

Develop laws and regulations.

Develop municipal governance frameworks.

Support the Municipal System deliver quality services

Developing relationships with the public,

private & ‘third’ sectors

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“By integrating the regulations and policies of all government agencies …the DMA can demonstrate to the world that the Emirate has a comprehensive regulatory framework in place befitting a 21st Century economy”

HE Ahmed Shareef-DMA Undersecretary-

2009 Sustainability Report

through an advanced Municipal System…

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and the Municipal Code regulatory framework Municipal Code

Public

Infrastructure

Urban

Development

Property, Building

and Construction

Environmental

Protection

Community

Services

Public Order

and Security

Public Health

and Safety

Licensing &

Fair Trade

Traffic and

Parking

Libraries

Water Supply

Environmental

Reporting and

Disclosure

Tents for

Weddings and

Occasions

Urban Planning,

Land Use and

Zoning

Waste Disposal,

Littering

Parking Control

Vehicles Control

Water

Traffic Control

Roadways and

Sidewalks

General Licensing

Food Safety

Air Pollution

Property

Ownership and

Lease

Emergency

Preparedness and

Response

Signs and

Billboards

Animal Control

Public OrderCity Image

Construction

Noise Pollution

Mortuary

Services

Promotion of

Public Health

Public Housing

and Land for

Citizens and

Licensing of

Events and

Facilities

Fair Trade

Administration

& Operations

Rules

Governing Code

Relation to other

Laws,

Regulations

Finance,

Procurement, &

Contracting

Administration

and Personnel

Administrative

Guidelines

EAD

Centre of

Waste

Management

DMA &

Municipalities

UPC

And Municipality

ADWEA

DOT

/ Municipality

ADFCA

DOT and

Abu Dhabi Police

Dept. of Economic

Development

DED / Health

Dept / Tourism

Auth. / Municipality

DOF

EAD / Municipality

Main Responsibility for Regulation

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Regulating the construction sector is the Abu Dhabi International Building Code….

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• Durability

• Life safety & accessibility

• Interior environment (ventilation & daylighting)

• Structural design & inspection

• Materials-durability and combustibility & ecological impact (cement replacement)

• Flood resistance

The Abu Dhabi International Building Code…improving quality of life and quality of construction by addressing…

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The Abu Dhabi International Mechanical Code…improving indoor air quality, reducing CO2 emissions and protecting the ozone layer through….

• Prescribed minimum outdoor air %,

• Minimum ventilation rates to protect occupant health,

• Design of ductwork to promote efficiency (insulation, leakage)

• Zone and air distribution effectiveness,

• Minimum car park ventilation rates,

• Exhaust systems,

• Refrigerant classifications,

• Thermal storage & ground source heat pump systems

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The Abu Dhabi International Property Maintenance Code, the vehicle for all sustainability programmes for existing buildings..

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The Abu Dhabi International Energy Conservation Code is central to reducing the carbon dioxide emissions from the new and existing buildings….

• Energy density targets- UN targets for extremely hot climates (Kuwait, Riyadh, Calcutta, Hong Kong) of 132kWh/m2/pa for residential & 96kWh/m2/pa for commercial are achievable.

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the UAE has a number of codes that relate to buildings but no official energy conservation code per se…

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..as part of the adaption process DMA benchmarked the IECC against international standards to ensure these minimum standards where achievable ….at a stretch.....

IECC- 2006 Badrah Nick L Germany Part L

ASHRAE 90.1-2007

Climate 2 EGBC Masdar

UN-H3

Zone

Decree

66 Estidama

U value roof 0.28 0.15 0.25 0.25 0.27 0.12 1.5 0.44

U values walls 0.87 0.25 0.33 (R3) 0.35 0.857 (non res) 0.7 (res) 0.25 1.5 0.57 0.51

Fenestration U value 4.32 1.6 2.1 2.2 3.97-4.26 (metal frame) 1-1.2(office) 2.7 2.1-3.28

Window frame U value 0.2 0.2

SHGC 0.25-0.4 0.27 0.25-0.4 0.25 0.23-0.27 0.35-0.4

Max % Fenestration 40 30 25

Set point temp 24-26 24

25-27

summer

Infiltration 5.5m3/hr/m2 @50Pa

5.0m3/hr/m2

@50Pa

0.02-0.03 at

4pa

KWH/m2/pa-Residential Villa 95

KWH/m2/pa-Residential

Apartment 85 70 132

KWH/m2/pa-Office 70 96

KWH/m2/pa-Large Public Bldg 70 108

Lighting efficinecy lm/W 60 45 70

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Table Of Contents

CHAPTER 1 ADMINISTRATION

PART 1—SCOPE AND APPLICATION

Section101 Scope and General Requirements

102 Alternate Materials- Method of Construction,

Design or Insulating Systems

PART 2—ADMINISTRATION AND

ENFORCEMENT

103 Construction Documents

104 Inspections

105 Validity

106 Reference Standards

107 Fees

108 Stop Work Order

109 Board of Appeal

CHAPTER 2 DEFINITIONS

Section 201 General

202 General Definitions

CHAPTER 3 GENERAL REGULATIONS

Section 301 Climate Zones

302 Design Conditions .

303 Materials, Systems and Equipment

CHAPTER 4 RESIDENTIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY Section 401 General 402 Building Thermal Envelope 403 Systems 404 Electrical Power and Lighting Systems 405 Simulated Performance Alternative. CHAPTER 5 COMMERCIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY Section 501 General 502 Building Envelope Requirements 503 Building Mechanical Systems 504 Service Water Heating 505 Electrical Power and Lighting Systems 506 Additional Efficiency Package Options 507 Total Building Performance CHAPTER 6 REFERENCE STANDARDS INDEX

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General Regulations -Section 301- Climate Zones

• Zone 1 classification is 5000< CDD 10°C

• UAE has 6254 annual cooling degree-days (10°C baseline) AND THEREFORE IS CLASSIFIED ZONE 1

• Warm-humid Definition—Moist (A) locations where either of the following wet-bulb temperature conditions shall occur during the warmest six consecutive months of the year:

67°F (19.4°C) or higher for 3,000 or more hours; or 2. 73°F (22.8°C) or higher for 1,500 or more hours

DATA SHOWS ABU DHABI IS NOT CONSIDERED WARM & HUMID TO (A) CLASSIFICATION

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Section 302- Design Conditions

302.1 Interior design conditions. The interior design temperatures used for heating and cooling load calculations shall be a maximum of 72°F (22°C) for heating and minimum of 75°F (24°C) for cooling with a relative humidity of 50 ±5%.

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Chapter 5- COMMERCIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY Section 501- General

501.2 Application. (Prescriptive Route) The commercial building project shall comply with the requirements in section 502 (Building Envelope) , 503 (Mechanical Systems) , 504 (Service Hot Water ) and 505 (Electrical Power & Lighting) in its entirety and one of the additional options as presented in Section 506 (Additional Efficiency Options). (Performance Route) As an alternative the commercial building project shall exceed by at least 25% the requirements of ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1- 2007, Section 11 in its entirety. Exceptions: (Hybrid Route) Buildings conforming to Section 507 (Total Systems Performance) provided Sections 502.4 (Air leakage) ,503.2 (Mechanical Systems), 504 (Hot Water), 505.2 (Power & Lighting), 505.3 (Tandem Wiring), 505.4 (Exit Signs), 505.6 (Exterior Lighting) and 505.7 (Metering) are each satisfied. Building energy cost shall be equal to or less than 85% of the standard reference design building.

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Section 502- Building Envelope Requirements

Element U value (W/m2.K)

Roof

Insulation entirely above deck 0.22

Metal buildings 0.36

Attic & Other 0.19

Walls Above Grade

Mass 0.33

Metal buildings 0.52

Metal framed 0.21

Wood framed & other 0.20

Fenestration (Max 30% Area)

U-value 2.21

Metal Framing

Curtain Wall/ storefront 2.10

Entrance Door 2.80

Projection Factor (PF)*

SHGC

PF<0.25 0.25

0.25<PF<0.5 0.33

PF>0.5 0.4

*The greater the projection then more relaxed the SHGC

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Section 502.4- Air Leakage

502.4.1 Air Barriers- The building thermal envelope shall be constructed with a continuous air barrier to control air leakage into and out of conditioned space. 502.4.1.2.1 Materials- Individual materials to have an air permeability not to exceed 0.2L/s.m2 at 75 Pa 502.4.1.2.3 Building Test - The completed the building shall be tested and the air leakage rate of the building envelope shall not exceed 2.0 L/s/m2 at 75 Pa (7.2 m3/hr @ 75 Pa) 502.4.5.2 Outdoor Intakes & Exhausts- to have class A motorized dampers with maximum leakage of 5.1L/s/m3 @1250 Pa Exception: Gravity dampers with leakage rate of 34L/s/m3 at 1250 Pa when intake or exhaust doesn’t exceed 300 cfm. 502.4.8 Recessing Lighting- to have a maximum air leakage rate of 0.944 L/s at 75 Pa

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Section 503- Building Mechanical Systems- (ADIMC)

503.1 General- Mechanical systems are classified into simple and complex systems. 503.2.1- Calculation of heating & cooling loads-In accordance with ASHRAE 183. 503.2.2 Equipment & systems sizing- shall not exceed the loads calculated using ASHRAE 183- Exception- 1. Standby equipment and 2. Multiple units of the same equipment type providing there are controls to sequence operation of each unit based on load. 503.2.3 HVAC equipment performance requirements- Energy efficiency ratings at Full load & IPLV for a variety of simple & complex systems including: A/C Air cooled- split/packages A/C Water cooled- splits /packages/centrifugal/reciprocating/absorption (single, double effect, gas fired) A/C Groundwater cooled-

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Section 503.2.4- HVAC systems controls

503.2.4.1 Thermostatic controls –one per thermal zone including humidity control . Exception: Independent perimeter systems. 503.2.4.2 Set-point overlap restriction- where used to control heating & cooling thermostatic controls shall provide a temperature range (dead band) of at least 2.8 deg C within which the supply of heating /cooling to the zone can be shut off or reduced to a minimum. 503.2.4.3.2 Automatic setback & shutdown capabilities- 503.2.4.3.3 Automatic start capabilities- 503.2.4.4- Shut off damper controls -

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Section 503.2.5 Ventilation- (ADIMC)

503.2.5.1 Demand control ventilation- required for spaces larger than 50m2 with an occupancy of 40 people per 93m2 503.2.6 Energy recovery ventilation system- each fan system shall have an energy recovery system to recover at least 50% of the difference between the indoor and outdoor air enthalpies. Excludes: Laboratory fume systems and other system s that use coils wrapped around the cooling coil for dehumidification.

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Section 503.2.7 Duct & Plenum Insulation & Sealing

503.2.7.1.1 Medium pressure duct systems- Insulation-R-5 insulation when located in unconditioned spaces and R- 8 when located outside the building Sealing-all joints, seams and connections operating at a static pressure <746 Pa shall be securely fastened and sealed with welds , gaskets, mastics or tapes in accordance with a manufacturers instructions. 503.2.7.1.3 High pressure duct systems - Insulation- (Same as medium pressure). Sealing-operating at > 746 Pa shall be tested in accordance with the SMACNA (Sheet Metal and A/C contractors National Assoc.) HVAV Air Duct Leakage Test Manual. Evidence to be shown that 25% of the duct area has been tested.

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Section 503.2.9 Mechanical System Commissioning

503.2.9.1.1 Commissioning plan -detailed explanation of the equipment & systems to be tested, measurable criteria for acceptable performance etc. 503.2.9.1.2 Systems adjusting & balancing- air and water flow rates shall be measured and adjusted to within 10% of design rates. Air systems balancing in accordance with ADIMC . 503.2.9.1.3 Equipment functional performance testing- demonstrate correct installation & operation of systems components. 503.2.9.1.3.2 Controls functional performance- HVAC controls to be tested to ensure they are calibrated and operate in sequence. 503.2.9.1.4 Preliminary commissioning report- reqd. for completion 503.2.9.3.2 Manuals - operating and maintenance manual 503.2.9.3.4 Final commissioning report- to include results from functional performance test, deficiencies found during testing and test procedure

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Section 503.2.10 Air system design and control- RIGHTSIZING FANS

503.2.10.1 Allowable fan horsepower- each HVAC system’s fan horsepower (hp) is to be designed in accordance with the ADIECC criteria; hp< CFM (air )*0.0015 (assuming variable volume) 503.2.9.1.2 Motor nameplate horsepower- the selected fan motor shall be no larger than the first available motor size greater than the breaking horse power.

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Section 503.4 Complex HVAC Systems & Equipment

503.4.2 Variable Air Volume (VAV) fan control- Individual fans with >5.6kW (7.5hp) shall have: 1. Variable speed drive 2. Driven by a vane-axial fan with variable pitch 3. Controls to ensure that the fan motor demand

is no more than 30% of design wattage at 50% airflow rate.

4. Static pressure sensors in ductwork 503.4.4- Heat rejection equipment fan speed control- fans >5.6kW shall have the capacity to operate at <2/3 of full speed +controls that automatically change the fan speed to control the heat rejection process. 503.4.6 Heat recovery for service hot water heating- for facilities operating 24 hours where heat rejection is 6 Million Btu/hr and service water load > 1 Million Btu/hr

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Section 504 - SERVICE WATER HEATING

504.2 Service water heating equipment performance efficiency- for the following systems:

• Water heaters (electric) • Storage water heaters (gas) • Instantaneous water heaters (gas) • Hot water supply boilers (gas) • Heat pump pool heaters

504.3 Temperature controls- set-point of 43deg C for dwelling units. 504.6 Hot water systems controls- automatic circulating hot water systems to be turned off when the system is not in operation.

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Section 505 – ELECTRIC POWER & LIGHTING SYSTEMS

505.1 General -covers lighting systems controls , maximum lighting power etc. Exception: 1. Where 75% of light fixtures within a dwelling are fitted with high efficacy lamps ( >60 lumens/watt) or 2. Low voltage lighting is used. 505.2.2.1 Light reduction controls- allow occupant to reduce intensity level by at least 50%. 505.2.2.2 Daylight zone control- (Daylight zone definition-Depth 4.572m deep , Width = window width +610mm each side) - Maximum 232m2 -allowed to be controlled by a single device. 505.2.2.3 Automatic daylight controls- shut off lighting using either: 1. Occupancy sensors, 2. Time clocks , or 3. Automatic daylight sensors zones

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Section 505.5- Interior lighting power requirements

LIGHTING POWER DENSITY

Whole Building Space by Space

Building Area Type (W/ft2)

Active Storage 0.8

Atrium – First Three Floors 0.6

Atrium – Each Additional Floor 0.2

Automotive Facility 0.9

Classroom/lecture/training 1.3

Conference/Meeting/Multipurpose 1.1

Corridor/Transition 0.5

Electrical/Mechanical 1.1

Food Preparation 1.2

Inactive Storage 0.2

Lobby 1.1

Restroom 0.8

Stairway 0.6

CONVENTION CENTER 1.2

Exhibit Space 1.3

Audience/Seating Area 0.9

COURTHOUSE 1.2

Audience/Seating Area 0.9

Courtroom 1.9

Confinement Cells 0.9

Judges Chambers 1.3

Dressing/Locker/Fitting Room 0.6

DINING: BAR LOUNGE/LEISURE 1.3

Lounge/Leisure Dining 1.4

DINING: CAFETERIA/FAST FOOD 1.4

DINING: FAMILY 1.6

Dining 1.4

Kitchen 1.2

DORMITORY 1

Living Quarters 1.1

Bedroom 0.5

Study Hall 1.4

EXERCISE CENTER 1

Dressing/Locker/Fitting Room 0.6

Audience/Seating Area 0.3

Exercise Area 0.9

Exercise Area/Gymnasium 0.9

GYMNASIUM 1.1

Dressing/Locker/Fitting Room 0.6

Audience/Seating Area 0.4

Playing Area 1.4

Exercise Area 0.9

HEALTHCARE CLINIC 1

Corridors w/patient waiting, exam 1

Exam/Treatment 1.5

Emergency 2.7

Public & Staff Lounge 0.8

Hospital/Medical supplies 1.4

Hospital - Nursery 0.6

Nurse station 1

Physical therapy 0.9

Patient Room 0.7

Pharmacy 1.2

Hospital/Radiology 0.4

Operating Room 2.2

Recovery 0.8

Active storage 0.9

WHOLE BUILDING W/m2

CONVENTION CENTRE 9.68

COURTHOUSE 12.91

DINING: LOUNGE/LEISURE 14.00

DINING: CAFE 15.07

DINING: FAMILY 17.22

DORMITORY 10.76

EXERCISE CENTRE 10.76

GYMNASIUM 11.84

HEALTHCARE CLINIC 10.76

HOTEL 10.76

LIBRARY 14.00

MANUFACTURING FACILITY 14.00

MUSEUM etc… 11.84

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Section 505.6 – Exterior Lighting Zones

LIGHTING ZONE DESCRIPTION

1 Developed areas of national parks, state parks,

forest land, and rural areas

2

Areas predominantly consisting of residential

zoning, neighborhood business districts, light

industrial with limited nighttime use and

residential mixed use areas

3 All other areas

4

High-activity commercial districts in major

metropolitan areas as designated by the local

land use planning authority

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Section 505.6- Power Allowances for Building Exteriors

Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Zone 4

Base Site Allowance (Base allowance may be used in

tradable or non tradable surfaces.)

500 W 600 W 750 W 1300 W

Tradable Surfaces (Lighting power densities for uncovered

parking areas, building grounds,

building entrances and exits, canopies

and overhangs and outdoor sales areas

may be traded.)

Uncovered Parking Areas

Parking areas and

drives 0.04 W/ft2 0.06 W/ft2 0.10 W/ft2 0.13 W/ft2

Building Grounds

Walkways less than

10 feet wide 0.7 W/linear foot 0.7 W/linear foot 0.8 W/linear foot 1.0 W/linear foot

Walkways 10 feet

wide

or greater, plaza areas

special feature areas

0.14 W/ft2 0.14 W/ft2 0.16 W/ft2 0.2 W/ft2

Stairways 0.75 W/ft2 1.0 W/ft2 1.0 W/ft2 1.0 W/ft2

Pedestrian tunnels 0.15 W/ft2 0.15 W/ft2 0.2 W/ft2 0.3 W/ft2

Building Entrances and Exits

Main entries 20 W/linear foot

of door width

20 W/linear foot

of door width

30 W/linear foot

of door width

30 W/linear foot

of door width

Other doors 20 W/linear foot

of door width

20 W/linear foot

of door width

20 W/linear foot

of door width

20 W/linear foot

of door width

Entry canopies 0.25 W/ft2 0.25 W/ft2 0.4 W/ft2 0.4 W/ft2

Sales Canopies

Free-standing and

attached 0.6 W/ft2 0.6 W/ft2 0.8 W/ft2 1.0 W/ft2

Outdoor Sales

Open areas (including

vehicle sales lots) 0.25 W/ft2 0.25 W/ft2 0.5 W/ft2 0.7 W/ft2

Street frontage for

vehicle sales lots in

addition to "open area"

allowance

No allowance 10 W/linear foot 10 W/linear foot 30 W/linear foot

Non tradable Surfaces (Lighting power density calculations for

the following applications can be used

only for the specific application and

cannot be traded between surfaces or

with other exterior lighting. The

following allowances are in addition to

any allowance otherwise permitted in

the "Tradable Surfaces" section of this

table.)

Building facades No allowance

0.1 W/ft2 for each illuminated

wall or surface or 2.5 W/linear

foot for each illuminated wall or

surface length

0.15 W/ft2 for each illuminated

wall or surface or 3.75 W/linear

foot for each illuminated wall or

surface length

0.2 W/ft2 for each illuminated

wall or surface or 5.0 W/linear

foot for each illuminated wall or

surface length

Automated teller

machines and night

depositories

270 W per location plus 90 W

per additional

ATM per location

270 W per location plus 90 W

per additional

ATM per location

270 W per location plus 90 W

per additional

ATM per location

270 W per location plus 90 W

per additional

ATM per location

Entrances and

gatehouse inspection

stations at guarded

facilities

0.75 W/ft2 of covered

and uncovered area

0.75 W/ft2 of covered

and uncovered area

0.75 W/ft2 of covered

and uncovered area

0.75 W/ft2 of covered

and uncovered area

Loading areas for law

enforcement, fire,

ambulance and other

emergency service

vehicles

0.5 W/ft2 of covered

and uncovered area

0.5 W/ft2 of covered

and uncovered area

0.5 W/ft2 of covered

and uncovered area

0.5 W/ft2 of covered

and uncovered area

Drive-up

windows/doors 400 W per drive-through 400 W per drive-through 400 W per drive-through 400 W per drive-through

Parking near

24-hour

retail

800 W per main

entry

800 W per main

entry

800 W per main

entry

800 W per main

entry

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Section 506 – ADDITIONAL EFFICIENCY PACKAGE OPTIONS

506.1 Requirements. Buildings shall comply with at least one of the

following:

a. 506.2 Efficient Mechanical Equipment

b. 506.3 Efficient Lighting System Requirement

c. 506.4 On-Site Supply of Renewable Energy

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Section 506.2- Efficient Mechanical Equipment

Equipment Type Size Unit Full Load Section 503

IPLV Section 503

Full Load Section 506

IPLV Section 506

Water cooled centrifugal chiller

> 600 T kW/T 0.57 0.539 0.55 0.51

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Section 506.3- Efficient Lighting System Requirements

Facility Whole building W/m2 Section 505

Whole building W/m2 Section 506

Healthcare Clinic 10.76 9.58

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Section 506.4- Renewable Energy

506.4 On-site Supply of Renewable Energy- The building or surrounding property shall supply 3% or more of building energy use with on-site renewable energy. On-site power generation using nonrenewable sources does not meet this requirement.

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Section 507- Total Building Performance

507.1 Scope- The following systems and loads shall be used to calculate the total building performance:

• Cooling systems • Heating systems • Service water heating • Fan systems • Lighting power • Receptacle loads • Process loads

507.2 Mandatory requirement- compliance with the following sections:

• 502.4- Air leakage • 503.2-Provisions applicable to all mechanical systems (calculation of cooling loads, equipment sizing ASHRAE 183) • 504-Service hot water heating • 505- Electrical power & lighting systems

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Thank You