Building code workshop for NYPH Members 11/11/22 at 7pm

After a very well attended international open Passive House days last weekend, we turn our focus to the legal side of things. In order to help local efforts to promote and build Passive House projects, NYPH will host a Code Workshop to address issues encountered when dealing with building codes.  We will primarily focus on the building codes of New York City and the interpretation of this code by New York Department of Buildings' plan examiners and inspectors. Zoning issues can be brought up as well.

 

Often interpretations of the code within mentioned jurisdictions force PH consultants and architects to alter/make design decisions that negatively effect the economical feasibility or ability to complete successful Passive House projects.

 

The goal of this workshop is to discuss existing and potential

code issues. review these issues in depth, and determine:

 

- in case if the particular issues is actually permitted according to their understanding, to spell this out in a clarification to get a written statement from the DOB tbat confirms this understanding so that this can be used by all in future projects.

 

Example: bulkhead doors are considered exit doors by plan examiners and thus need to be 90-minute, fire-rated doors

when in fact, these should be treated as facade openings and could thus be south facing thermally broken PH doors with high SHGC glass.

 

- in case the issue is not permitted under according to current code. analyse how the current code impedes the incorporation of Passive House/energy efficient technologies and how the code could be amended to promote high performance/Passive House construction practices.

 

Example: Think thermally breaking a cast-iron plumbing stack with a piece of PVC or even better imagine being able to use an air admittance valve and not having to puncture the thermal envelope.

 

Call for submission:
This email serves as a call to all NYPH members to submit any and all issues that you have encountered or solutions you have thought off, to be included in the Code Workshop for further discussion with attending NYPH members. Please send description of the issues, including relevant code sections and drawings to events@nypassivehouse.org

Richard Leigh from the Urban Green Council, and member of the DOB Building Sustainability Board will be there as well to provide guidance to regarding the process.
This member-only workshop will be on 11/22 at 7pm at the Four Seven Five offices at 131 Union street, Brooklyn NY. Please RSVP to events@nypassivehouse.org 

 Thank you for your time and input as we work to improve the viability of Passive House projects in and around New York City.

 

Sincerely,

 

The NYPH Team

 

PS Check NYC DOB Building Sustainability Board protocol  

and the NYC/Urban Green Council

Greening the code proposals how to set up code amendments (summary, proposed legislation, rule or study, supporting information),