Connecticut

Residential

The 2006 IECC is the mandatory statewide residential code and applies to new buildings and additions to existing buildings.

REScheck can be used to show compliance

Commercial

The 2006 IECC is the mandatory statewide commercial code and applies to new buildings and additions to existing buildings

COMcheck can be used to show compliance
 

Connecticut’s code change cycle occurs within a 4 year framework.

The 2006 IECC with amendments became effecitve August 1, 2009. 

In July 2009, HB 6284 was passed which requires the State Building Inspector and the Codes and Standards Committee to revise the State Building Code to incorporate the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) within 18 months of its publication for commercial and residential buildings.
 

The State Building Inspector, the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and the Code Amendment Subcommittee of the State Codes and Standards Committee of the State of Connecticut conduct a regulatory process to approve amendments and updates to all the state's building codes.  The regulatory process follows Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 541 and Regulations of State Agencies Sections 29-262-1a through 29-262-11a.

Residential

Compliance is determined through the permitting process. Construction documents are submitted to the local building official showing detailed building data, features and equipment systems governed under the code. Data from REScheck can be submitted with permitting paperwork to show compliance.

The State Building Inspector enforces compliance for state-owned buildings and local code officials enforce compliance for all other buildings.

Commercial

Compliance is determined through the permitting process. Construction documents are submitted to the local building official showing detailed building data, features and equipment systems governed under the code. Data from COMcheck can be submitted with permitting paperwork to show compliance.

The State Building Inspector enforces compliance for state-owned buildings and local code officials enforce compliance for all other buildings.

A prospective provision in HB 6284 (now state law as Public Act 09-192) will apply to new construction or a major alteration of a residential or nonresidential building begun after July 1, 2010 that is above a specified minimum size as determined by the State Building Inspector and the Codes and Standards Committee.  The Inspector and the Committee will develop provisions to revise the State Building Code that will require such construction to meet or exceed optimum cost-effective building construction standards that can include the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design LEED-NC rating system, the Green Building Initiative’s Green Globes USA design program, the National Association of Homebuilders’ National Green Building Standard, or an equivalent rating system.  Third-party certification will be allowed.

The legislation establishing this new provision also repealed a previous statute (Public Act 07-242) passed in 2007 requiring the State Building Inspector and Codes and Standards Committee to revise the State Building Code to include provisions that require certain construction – new buildings constructed after January 1, 2009 projected to cost at least $5 million and building renovation projects started after January 1, 2010 projected to cost at least $2 million – to achieve a LEED-NC Silver rating, a two-globe rating from the Green Globes USA design program, or an equivalent standard.

According to the Office of the State Building Inspector, there appears to be conflict between the state legislature’s statutory directives and the regulatory action being pursued.  The office recently promulgated a first 2009 amendment to the 2005 State Building Code updating the energy code to the 2006 IECC (this became effective August 1, 2009).  Work on a second 2009 amendment (adopting the 2009 IECC, but not addressing the statutory green building standards) has begun, but the timeframe is apparently uncertain, with estimates ranging from nine months to two years.
 

Statewide Program:
Building Energy and Green Code, 2007

Description:
The provision applies to buildings constructed after January 1, 2009, that are projected to cost at least $5 million, and building renovation projects started after January 1, 2010, that are projected to cost at least $2 million. Building projects which meet this criterion must achieve a LEED silver rating from, a two-globe rating in the Green Globes USA design program, or an equivalent standard.

Energy Standard:
Commercial LEED Certification:  below is summarized from LEED NC, details vary according to certification program. Mandatory: minimum 10% compliance beyond ASHRAE 90.1-2007, or use of NBI's Core Performance or one of ASHRAE's Advanced Energy Design Guidelines. LEED options include: optimize energy performance, on-site renewable energy, enhanced commissioning, enhanced refrigerant management, measurement & verification, and green power.       CHPS Energy Efficiency Required Prerequisites: 25% or more above the ASHRAE 90.1 – 2004 standard using either the prescriptive criteria established by the New Buildings Institute’s Benchmark: Energy Benchmark for High Performance Buildings, or the prescriptive approach outlined in the ASHRAE standards, or the “total building approach” outlined in the ASHRAE standards; Install a continuous air barrier and employ air sealing “best” practices to control air leakage ; Employ “best” practice HVAC design techniques to improve system performance and meet ASHRAE Standard 55; Commission all energy-using systems; Provide effective and complete training and documentation on the operation and maintenance of the building systems identified in the commissioning report; Participate in energy efficiency incentive and technical assistance programs that are available through applicable utility and governmental programs.  Optional Points Include: Demonstrate superior energy performance beyond prerequisite; In addition to meeting the classroom daylighting prerequisite, incorporate daylighting throughout the building and control at least 40% of the connected lighting load with automatic daylighting controls and/or hybrid occupancy/daylight controls; Perform enhanced building commissioning employing a third party commissioning agent throughout the design and construction process; Design 90% of permanent classrooms without air conditioning or minimize air conditioning loads in classrooms by installing low energy use comfort systems; Install an energy management system (EMS) to monitor and trend the energy consumed throughout the school. Install a submetering system for lighting loads and plug loads, integrating the data collected from the submetering systems with the energy management system.

Stateside Program:
State Building Energy Policy, 2006

Description:
New construction of a facility that is projected to cost $5 million or more, of which $2 million or more is state funding, Renovation of a public school facility that is projected to cost $2 million or more, of which $2 million or more is state funding must be consistent with or exceed LEED Silver rating.

Energy Standards:
Commercial LEED Certification:  below is summarized from LEED NC, details vary according to certification program. Mandatory: minimum 10% compliance beyond ASHRAE 90.1-2007, or use of NBI's Core Performance or one of ASHRAE's Advanced Energy Design Guidelines. LEED options include: optimize energy performance, on-site renewable energy, enhanced commissioning, enhanced refrigerant management, measurement & verification, and green power.  

Municipality:
Greenwich

Municipal Program:
Municipal Building Standards, 2009

Description:
New municipal buildings or major renovations must meet LEED Silver or an equivalent standard, including, but not limited to, a two globe rating in the Green Globes USA design program..  

Energy Standards:
Commercial LEED Certification:  below is summarized from LEED NC, details vary according to certification program. Mandatory: minimum 10% compliance beyond ASHRAE 90.1-2007, or use of NBI's Core Performance or one of ASHRAE's Advanced Energy Design Guidelines. LEED options include: optimize energy performance, on-site renewable energy, enhanced commissioning, enhanced refrigerant management, measurement & verification, and green power.  

Municipality:
Stamford

Municipal Program:
Municipal Building Standard, 2007

Description:
New municipal buildings or major renovations 5,000 ft2 or larger must attain LEED silver certification.  

Energy Standard:
Commercial LEED Certification:  below is summarized from LEED NC, details vary according to certification program. Mandatory: minimum 10% compliance beyond ASHRAE 90.1-2007, or use of NBI's Core Performance or one of ASHRAE's Advanced Energy Design Guidelines. LEED options include: optimize energy performance, on-site renewable energy, enhanced commissioning, enhanced refrigerant management, measurement & verification, and green power.