CERTIFICATION AGENCY INTERPRETATION
Our NGBS Interpretation documents provide recommendations on technical and verification issues related to NGBS Green certification
File Under: Chapter 7: Energy Efficiency
This interpretation allows buildings seeking 2020 NGBS certification and using the Chapter 703 Prescriptive Path to comply with the testing requirements of 2021 IECC R402.4.1.2 and R402.4.1.3.
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File Under: Chapter 3: Scope
The 2020 NGBS was the first version to allow mixed-use buildings to earn certification for both the residential and commercial/retail portions of the building. NGBS Chapters 5–10 outline compliance for new multifamily buildings and the residential portion of mixed-use buildings; Chapter 13 provides a Prescriptive compliance path for non-residential areas.
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File Under: Chapter 7: Energy Efficiency
Buildings in the Tropical Zone typically have no conditioning (heat or cooling) or partial conditioning; consequently, they are inherently greener and more energy efficient. Without heat or air conditioning, many mainland U.S. green building practices are irrelevant to the building's performance. Further, the prevalence of masonry construction makes some green practices extraneous.
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File Under: Chapter 8: Water Efficiency
The Water Rating Index (WRI) score can be applied toward Water Efficiency compliance of the 2020 National Green Building Standard® (NGBS). The process and underlying equations for generating a WRI score are detailed in Appendix D of the 2020 NGBS.
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File Under: Chapter 8: Water Efficiency
A Water Rating Index (WRI) score can be applied toward Water Efficiency compliance under the New Construction (804.1) and Single-Family Certified (1204.4) scoring paths of the 2020 National Green Building Standard® (NGBS). The process and underlying equations for generating a WRI score are detailed in Appendix D of the 2020 NGBS.
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File Under: Chapter 9: Indoor Environmental Quality
2015 NGBS § 902.2.1 requires compliance with ASHRAE 62.2-2010. The 2015 NGBS includes the relevant 62.2 provisions in Appendix B.
2020 NGBS § 902.2 also requires compliance with ASHRAE 62.2-2010; the Consensus Committee did not revise the version of 62.2 even though there are two more recent versions (2013 and 2016) available.
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File Under: Chapter 11: Existing Building
The 2020 NGBS Section 3 – Compliance Method provides rules for remodeled buildings, and subsection 305.2.3 Mandatory Practices for whole-building ratings states that, "Unaltered portions of the existing building shall not be required to meet Mandatory requirements except when life safety or apparent moisture issues exist." This exception applies to Section 11 Remodeling, including the new prescriptive options for energy efficiency compliance in the following subsections.
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File Under: Chapter 13: Commercial Spaces
Mixed-use buildings that are seeking NGBS Green certification for the building's residential portion can earn an NGBS Green conformance determination for either (1) the Core-and-Shell, or (2) for the Core-and-Shell + Fit-Out. Section 13 practices are mandatory regardless of which compliance path is selected.
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