Codes | Standards | HPBA

NAHB Green Building Code, ICC 700

The NAHB Green Building Code (ICC 700) is an effort by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) to increase environmental sustainability in new construction. This code is an amalgamation of NAHB, the International Code Council (ICC) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The way that the ICC 700 is focusing on indoor environmental quality and resource conservation could unnecessarily place restrictions on gas appliances and limit the use of wood appliances.

Learn more>

ASHRAE Moves to Eliminate Unvented Appliances 

A technical standards committee (62.2) of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) is attempting to restrict the use of unvented appliances to the point that they will no longer be a viable option in homes. In addition, a different committee has already pushed through a ban on vent-free products in a separate code (189.1) based on erroneous calculations.

Learn More>

Gasketed Doors and Fireplaces

In the 2012 and 2015 IECC code, there is still a requirement that tight fitting masonry fireplace doors had to meet UL907. However, that requirement is removed from the 2018 IECC code version. The IECC intended to remove this requirement in the 2015 code, but missed it during final edits. This has been corrected in the 2018 code. Furthermore, if a manufacturer doesn't list a door in a product's operation/installation manual, it cannot be installed on the unit.

The ICC made an announcement in 2015 which states that the requirement for gasketed doors on fireplaces has been removed and specifies where the changes were made and why.

Several states have not yet adopted the latest version of the IECC code and may not be aware of this code change. Share this information and the ICC announcement with anyone who is unaware of the update.

Download the ICC Code Change Announcement