Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Amendment to the Oregon Energy Code Bodes Well for Industry

Back on February 3rd of this year, the Building Code Structures Board approved the 2010 Oregon Energy Efficiency Specialty Code (OEESC) for public comment. This proposed new code will drastically increase the insulation requirements for what is probably one of the most popular and cost effective building systems on the market; structurally reinforced concrete masonry walls with integral insulation. Under the proposed code requirements block walls used in the construction of gymnasiums, shopping centers, manufacturing facilities, warehouses, etc., would be required to provide continuous insulation on the interior or exterior side of the walls.

Installing continuous insulation is not only costly, but it will diminish or completely eliminate the low maintenance and durability aspects of mass walls. One good example is gymnasiums. Continuous insulation on the interior wall would require furring, insulation and some sort of sheathing, most likely gyp board. Can you imagine what will happen after a basketball slams into one of these walls?

Fortunately for our industry, the proposed changes have been closely monitored by the Northwest Concrete Masonry Association. Through the efforts of its Director, Tom Young, along with individuals from the Mutual Materials Co. and the Masonry Institute of Oregon, an effective lobby effort to persuade the Board to look at the economic impacts of the changes seems to have had a beneficial effect. There is now a proposed amendment to the OEESC that will virtually leave intact most of the current industry friendly insulation requirements. This amendment is listed as an agenda item on the upcoming May 5th meeting of the Board.

Sincerely,

Steve Hubbard
Distributor Sales Manager