National Green Building Standard
In 2007, the National Association of Homebuilders and the International Code Council partnered to establish the ICC 700 National Green Building Standard. Certified by the American National Standards Institute, this comprehensive green building program covers single-family homes, multifamily homes, residential remodeling projects and land development. An online scoring tool is available at www.nahbgreen.org.
RESOUCE EFFICIANCY
601.5: Prefabricated components – Maximum 12 points
SIPs qualify as a panelized building system. Four points will be awarded for each system used (walls, roof, floor).
606.2: Wood-based products – Maximum 4 points
If the SIPs used in the project are made of OSB certified under an approved forestry certification program, builders will receive points for using certified wood materials.
607.1: Resource-efficient materials – 3 points
SIPs use engineered wood products to achieve equal or better structural performance with fewer natural resources.
609.1: Life cycle analysis – 3 points
SIPs are eligible for three points if they are selected using an ISO 14044 compliant Life CycleAssessment (LCA) tool. LCA conducted on SIP homes demonstrates that by improving energy efficiency, SIPs have a positive environmental impact over their product life cycle.
Energy Efficiency
PERFORMANCE PATH
702.2: Energy cost performance levels – Maximum 120 points
Under the Performance Path, the home is awarded points based on overall energy performance, as determined by an accredited energy rater. Homes must be 60% more efficient than the 2006 IECC to receive the full 120 points.
PRESCRIPTIVE PATH
703.1.1: Building envelope – Maximum 35 points
The solid foam core of a SIP delivers continuous insulation and is available in a variety of thicknesses to help builders increase their building envelope performance.
703.1.2.1: Grade 1 insulation installation – 15 points
SIPs are deemed to provide Grade 1 insulation installation in the Chapter 7 Appendix.
703.2.1.1: Insulation and air sealing – Maximum 15 points
SIPs qualify as a complete air barrier if all interfaces and penetrations are properly sealed.
704.4.4: Ducts – 12 points
If a complete SIP building envelope is used, all ductwork will be located in conditioned space.
704.6.2.1: Installation and performance verification – Maximum 15 points
The builder can earn up to 15 points if a blower door test is conducted by a third party inspector. SIP homes routinely test below 1 ACH50, earning the maximum 15 points.
INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
901.4.5: Wood materials – 4 points
SIPs use OSB structural panels that meet indoor air quality requirements for this credit. All other wood structural panels used on the home must be compliant to earn the credit.
901.11: Insulation – 4 points
The foam insulation used in SIPs meets the indoor air quality standards of this credit. Four points are awarded if qualifying insulation is used in the walls, roof and floor of the home.
RESOUCE EFFICIANCY
601.5: Prefabricated components – Maximum 12 points
SIPs qualify as a panelized building system. Four points will be awarded for each system used (walls, roof, floor).
606.2: Wood-based products – Maximum 4 points
If the SIPs used in the project are made of OSB certified under an approved forestry certification program, builders will receive points for using certified wood materials.
607.1: Resource-efficient materials – 3 points
SIPs use engineered wood products to achieve equal or better structural performance with fewer natural resources.
609.1: Life cycle analysis – 3 points
SIPs are eligible for three points if they are selected using an ISO 14044 compliant Life CycleAssessment (LCA) tool. LCA conducted on SIP homes demonstrates that by improving energy efficiency, SIPs have a positive environmental impact over their product life cycle.
Energy Efficiency
PERFORMANCE PATH
702.2: Energy cost performance levels – Maximum 120 points
Under the Performance Path, the home is awarded points based on overall energy performance, as determined by an accredited energy rater. Homes must be 60% more efficient than the 2006 IECC to receive the full 120 points.
PRESCRIPTIVE PATH
703.1.1: Building envelope – Maximum 35 points
The solid foam core of a SIP delivers continuous insulation and is available in a variety of thicknesses to help builders increase their building envelope performance.
703.1.2.1: Grade 1 insulation installation – 15 points
SIPs are deemed to provide Grade 1 insulation installation in the Chapter 7 Appendix.
703.2.1.1: Insulation and air sealing – Maximum 15 points
SIPs qualify as a complete air barrier if all interfaces and penetrations are properly sealed.
704.4.4: Ducts – 12 points
If a complete SIP building envelope is used, all ductwork will be located in conditioned space.
704.6.2.1: Installation and performance verification – Maximum 15 points
The builder can earn up to 15 points if a blower door test is conducted by a third party inspector. SIP homes routinely test below 1 ACH50, earning the maximum 15 points.
INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
901.4.5: Wood materials – 4 points
SIPs use OSB structural panels that meet indoor air quality requirements for this credit. All other wood structural panels used on the home must be compliant to earn the credit.
901.11: Insulation – 4 points
The foam insulation used in SIPs meets the indoor air quality standards of this credit. Four points are awarded if qualifying insulation is used in the walls, roof and floor of the home.