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Code Compliance Improvement Initiative

 

California’s Compromised Code Compliance

The compliance path, as identified in current California statutes, is compromised. When it comes to codes and standards compliance, there are areas of alignment amongst major stakeholders, but their core interests often conflict. Thus, legal and financial responsibility for compliance is unclear and requirements remain practically unenforced on the ground.

CEA’s Commitment to Code Compliance Improvement

CEA’s Code Compliance Improvement Initiative is focused on developing common goals and the strategies and tactics necessary to improve energy code compliance in California, including the adoption and correct application of the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards, California Appliance Standards, and similar regulations. The Alliance is also working to improve compliance with Acceptance Test requirements contained in the Energy Code, both mechanical and electrical, and to provide ongoing energy education and technical assistance.

READ MORE: CEA’s CODE COMPLIANCE IMPROVEMENT WORKING GROUP

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Central Non-Residential Data Repository (CNDR)
Central Non-Residential Data Repository (CNDR)

The Alliance submitted recommendations for a Central Nonresidential Data Repository (CNDR) to the California Energy Commission (Energy Commission) in April 2020. CEA’s proposal was reviewed by the Energy Commission and presented in a public forum in September 2020 intended to advance a broad stakeholder discussion around the adoption of a CNDR.

The Central Nonresidential Data Repository would store and make available all completed Energy Standards compliance, installation, and acceptance test forms and information required for each regulated construction project in California, in a centralized platform, for access by authorized individuals. The CNDR would provide transparency on design and construction practices; give Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) one central repository for viewing all completed compliance documents; facilitate identification of non-compliant projects; and highlight gaps in regional enforcement.

This submission by CEA led to the implementation of conversations directly between the CEC and the Lighting Controls Acceptance Test Technician Certification Providers (LC-ATTCP). These conversations included talks on what could be legally feasible and what was possible technologically in order to create a CNDR.

In late September 2020, the Energy Commission announced that CEA’s suggestions were widely accepted and would be incorporated into language describing the establishment and use of the data registry with minor modifications. Specifically, it was determined that changes to the 2022 code will be pursued to enable Acceptance Test Technician Certification Providers to enter data directly into the CNDR, allowing them to forgo a third party registry. The third-party registry would still be put in place for other forms including the Nonresidential Certificates of Compliance (NRCCs), Nonresidential Certificates of Installation (NRCIs) and other construction documents. The decision was generally well received as a positive development from a Lighting Controls Acceptance Test Technician Certification Provider and mechanical compliance perspective in that it allows these stakeholder groups to work directly with the Energy Commission without having to accommodate an intermediary.

READ CEA’S CNDR PROPOSAL