Committee sends all R405 simulated-performance options to Council for deliberation

The MVPE committee voted to forward all three proposed R405 simulated building performance pathway options to the Building Code Council for review and public comment.

SBCC staff summarized that committee members had considered three alternatives: (1) a 10% reduction that removes the Climate Zone 5 energy-recovery-ventilation (ERV/HRV) mandatory requirement; (2) an 8% reduction that retains the Climate Zone 5 mandatory ERV measure; and (3) a stair-stepped approach matching new dwelling-unit size categories in R406. The committee previously chose to let the Council weigh the trade-offs among these options.

Patrick Hanks (BIAW) told the committee that if a prescriptive ERV/HRV requirement remains for Climate Zone 5 then separate targets or adjustments may be appropriate, and he urged the committee to consider market readiness and bracket sizes while seeking a unified recommendation to simplify Council and public review.

Tom Handy moved to forward all three R405 options to the Council; Katy Sheehan seconded. The committee took a voice vote and the chair declared the motion carried. The action will place all three options on the Council agenda and include them in CR102 materials for public comment.

The committee’s decision preserves multiple pathways for the simulated performance method and defers final selection and technical calibration to Council proceedings and the public-comment process.