[MassHistPres] Proposed changes in IECC 2015 remove exemptions for historic buildings

[Ward Hamilton at Olde Mohawk Historic Preservation]

Do you care about historic buildings?

Proposed changes to the International Energy Conservation Code threaten to
cause irreparable harm to thousands of historic buildings in the United
States.  I refer you to “International Code Council Approves Stringent New
Requirements for Historical Structures” from Architect magazine
(http://www.architectmagazine.com/building-codes/international-code-council-approves-stringent-new-requirements-for-historical-structures.aspx#articlecomments).

If you don’t understand how contemporary insulation practices damage
historic building fabric, please read “Is Greener Always Better? 
Problematic Use of Modern Materials in Traditional Building Systems”
(http://www.preservationconsultant.net/blog/-is-greener-always-better-problematic-use-of-modern-materials-in-traditional-building-systems).
 According to the article referenced above:

“The changes, proposed by a team of industry representatives from the New
Buildings Institute (NBI),the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC),
and the Institute for Market Transformation strip the exemption language
from the code. The group added a requirement that project teams file a
report with a code official when seeking immunity on specific areas of the
design or construction.”

Who are these organizations that made this recommendation?

According to their website, the New Buildings Institute “is a nonprofit
organization working to improve the energy performance of commercial
buildings. We work collaboratively with commercial building market
players—governments, utilities, energy efficiency advocates and building
professionals—to remove barriers to energy efficiency, including promoting
advanced design practices, improved technologies, public policies and
programs that improve energy efficiency. We also develop and offer
guidance to individuals and organizations on designing and constructing
energy-efficient buildings through our Advanced Buildings® suite of tools
and resources.”

I didn’t see anything that indicates an understanding of traditional
building systems so I checked out the Natural Resources Defense Council’s
website.  Still nothing about old buildings.  They’re an environmental
action group whose mission statement is “to safeguard the Earth: its
people, its plants and animals and the natural systems on which all life
depends.”   Admirable, but where’s the expertise determining what’s right
or wrong with energy conservation relative to older building stock?

That left just the Institute for Market Transformation 
 would they be the
ones with demonstrable knowledge and expertise relative to traditional
building systems?  According to the website, they’re “a Washington,
DC-based nonprofit organization promoting energy efficiency, green
building and environmental protection in the United States and abroad.
IMT's work addresses market failures that inhibit investment in energy
efficiency and sustainability in the building sector.”  Lobbyists in DC! 
If historic buildings are exempt from the IECC, this special interest
group’s sponsor/members can’t make any money selling the materials that
the proposed code changes will require.

Like so many things, this has nothing to do with right or wrong: it’s
about big businesses making money.  The Codes Council appointed three
organizations who know nothing about how green building practices will
adversely impact traditional building systems and destroy historic fabric.

Why wasn’t the Association for Preservation Technology or a similar entity
included?  Why?  Because the Council doesn’t want to hear what they have
to say.  Under the guise of energy conservation, those who profit from
“green” building practices are determined to cut into the historic
restoration market.  The end result will be the catastrophic loss of
centuries-old buildings.  What do they care?  The ruined, old buildings
will be razed and a “green” one can take its place.  Consider this quote
from the article:

“In Boston, for example, more than 8,000 properties are either located in
one of the city’s nine Historic Districts or are designated as a local
landmark, according to the Boston Landmarks Commission. For Manhattan
alone, New York’s Landmarks Preservation Commission lists 65 historic
districts; Kerr adds that approximately a quarter of all lots in that
borough are landmarked.”

Implementation of IECC 2015, in the proposed form, will be disastrous.  I
implore everyone reading this to spread the word.  Will the NTHP, MHC and
other state SHPO’s lead the charge against elimination of the preservation
exemption?  Perhaps, but we must all be leaders and cannot rely on others
to advocate against this change.  This is our fight and the time is now.


Ward Hamilton

OLDE MOHAWK HISTORIC PRESERVATION INC
877.622.8973 online at OldeMohawk.com
Slate Roofing | Masonry | Restoration