Register Now for Mar 14 Webinar: The Shifting Energy Code Landscape in MA

Continuing Education for the Practical Structural Engineer Thursday, MARCH 14, 2024 | 11 a.m. - Noon (ET)

WEBINAR | 1.0 PDH - SEAMASS or NCSEA Diamond Certified

The Shifting Energy Code Landscape in MA

and its Impact on Structure & Building Enclosure Design

Presenter: Lucas Nahrgang, PE

Principal, Building Science Specialist | RDH Building Science, Inc.

Decarbonization of the built environment is law in Massachusetts, resulting in mandated greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets. To deliver on the requirements of these decarbonization mandates, Massachusetts has implemented an updated Stretch Energy Code and a new second, more advanced tier known as the Specialized Opt-In code.

There is a paradigm shift in the traditional design process and an increased focus on thermal bridging. We will explore the challenges posed by evolving Stretch Codes and solutions developed and deployed to minimize thermal bridging and the impact on structural engineering scope.

PRESENTATION / COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Recent changes to the Massachusetts Energy Code have created significant new compliance requirements for the building enclosure design process. This presentation will explain the impacts of the recent updates to the Stretch Energy Code as well as the addition of a second, more advanced tier of the Stretch Energy Code known as the Specialized Opt-In Stretch Code.

These code changes, based on the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code with Amendments, are aimed at addressing the Massachusetts operational carbon reduction mandate.

The updated code compliance paths have built-in Carbon Reduction Measures and additional prescriptive requirements. Under the Specialized Opt-In Code, Passive House certification is required for all multi-family residential buildings over 12,000 sf and is a code compliance path option for all buildings. Across all code compliance paths, new building enclosure, airtightness, and mechanical system requirements are modeled on demand reduction measures that are familiar to the Passive House community.

This presentation will describe the new requirements—which include whole-building airtightness testing for all buildings, an updated enclosure backstop calculation, and thermal bridging accounting and R-value derating—as well as the new, more specific building enclosure definitions. The new requirements explicitly mandating the accounting for the impacts of thermal bridging, increase the frequency of requests for thermal bridging incorporated in primary structure and components and cladding supports.

EVENT TIMING & REGISTRATION

WHEN: Thursday, MARCH 14, 2024 | 11:00 a.m. - Noon (ET)

WHERE: Online via Zoom Webinar; Registrants will receive access link upon registration

INVESTMENT:

1.0 SEAMASS-Certified PDH: $25

1.0 NCSEA Diamond-Certified PDH: $30

Can't make the LIVE presentation? Register to receive the webinar recording.

Only "live" attendees receive PDH credits.

EVENT SPONSOR

Fabreeka International brings over 100 years of expertise in vibration isolation and shock control. Professionals across industries specify our resilient and versatile vibration isolation materials. Find your ideal solution today at www.fabreeka.com

ABOUT THE PRESENTER

Lucas Nahrgang, PE

Principal and Building Science Specialist

RDH Building Science, Inc.

Lucas is a Principal and Building Science Specialist with the RDH Boston team. He is a Principal for both new construction and existing buildings projects, including rehabilitation and renewal projects for existing buildings and enclosure consulting and building enclosure commissioning (BECx) on new construction.

He performs a variety of services on these projects, including enclosure design review, detail development, performance specifying, construction review, and field troubleshooting. Projects have ranged in size from multimillion-square-foot data centers across the country to multifamily residential buildings.

ANNUAL CORPORATE SPONSORS

SEAMASS is grateful to these Annual Corporate Sponsors

for their support and dedication to our organization

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