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Staff flags stricter air‑leakage tests and new thermal‑bridge documentation in commercial code
Summary
Kimberly told the board the 2021/2024 energy code expands air‑leakage testing (unit sampling and 20% testing thresholds for >8 units) and adds thermal‑bridge documentation requirements; members said implementation would add inspection and compliance workload.
Staff walked the board through technical changes that will affect how projects are documented and verified under the newer energy codes.
Kimberly explained that air‑leakage testing requirements have been expanded in commercial provisions; for example, multifamily buildings with more than eight units can use a 20% sampling protocol (with specified unit selection rules), while buildings greater than three stories require unit testing for group R occupancies. She also described new requirements to identify and address thermal bridges in construction documents and laid out options for practical mitigation or approved alternative methods.
Members and industry participants noted the added complexity and inspection demands. One industry participant suggested that while thermal‑bridge mitigation is technically important, enforcing it across varied commercial designs could constrain project design and increase costs. The board directed staff to compile a line‑by‑line list of problematic provisions to support focused review.
