Greening Code Approval

Study examines challenges and solutions to "green" permit approval.

Source: BUILDER Magazine
Publication date: 2002-07-01

By Christina B. Farnsworth.

Do codes restrict the use of innovative building techniques? And if they do, what's the process for change? These were among the questions to which the Development Center for Appropriate Technology (DCAT) sought answers in an Internet-based survey of code officials and users. The Tucson, Ariz.-based center's survey found that though most codes do have "provisions for alternative designs, materials, and methods," code interpretation poses barriers to their use.

Key problems noted were:

* buildings have health, safety, and welfare consequences throughout their lifecycles that are outside building regulation's scope;

* regulation tends to increase rather than diminish impacts (for example, tightening the building envelope without consideration of health consequences leads to poor indoor air quality);

* organizations promulgating codes lack capacity for change;

* those knowledgeable about alternative techniques have not been included in code processes.

DCAT suggests three solutions:

* develop awareness of unintended consequences and risks;

* increase capacity for change through involvement, education, and training;

* shift responsibility for code development to knowledgeable organizations.

But those solutions won't happen overnight. Sometimes codes simply do not cover use of certain sustainable materials, and officials are reluctant to change. DCAT found that if those seeking approval for green but not code-approved materials were willing to educate officials and be patient, more than half would ultimately gain approval (see chart below).

Other survey findings showed that code users were more than twice as likely as code officials to be aware of national programs, such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), BEES (Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability), and USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council). Both officials and code users were equally aware of local/regional green building or utility programs and organizations, such as the Congress for New Urbanism and the Urban Land Institute. Less than 20 percent of officials were aware of any green building information sources. When these officials denied approval, more than 70 percent said the reason was "insufficient supporting information to satisfy safety concerns."

To see the survey and learn more about it and DCAT click on www.dcat.net.

Approval Strategies
Strategy	Percent used by approval seekers
Provide information	64.0%
Start approval process early	54.8%
Involve officials early in design process	52.3%
Remain persistent/Patience	50.8%
Provide other jurisdiction approval	34.5%
Provide other jurisdiction contacts	30.5%
Use outside experts	30.5%

Permission granted: More than half of those going for green succeeded by using these strategies (left). Those seeking green-product approval should submit test results and technical and historic-use information. An amazing number of surveyed code officials simply did not know about different green codes, products, and code organizations.