Frisco Green Building

http://www.ci.frisco.tx.us/projects_programs/green_building/index.aspx?id=146

In May 2001, Frisco became the first city in the United States to adopt a mandatory Residential Green Building Program. After more than five years of experience, the City decided to update and improve the Program. The revised program is enforced for all homes receiving a building permit on, or after, July 1, 2007.

The City of Frisco Residential Green Building Program is designed to ensure a higher quality of life for citizens. The Green Building Program focuses on several areas including: waste reduction, pollution reduction, water conservation, energy conservation, and sustainable development. By making the standards of this program mandatory, we hope to give future generations the legacy of environmental sensitivity, functionally efficient homes, and a commitment to conservation.

Program Standards

Energy Efficiency

In addition to the City’s Building Codes and other applicable regulations as they stand or may be amended, the following must be accomplished:

1. The minimum standard for energy efficiency of single-family residential structures

shall be the Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR® designation as it

stands or may be amended with a score of 83 or below on the Home Energy Rating

Systems (HERS) index.

2. Every home must be tested by a Residential Energy

Services Network (RESNET) HERS inspector/rater.

3. A minimum of one programmable thermostat is required on every story.

4. A return air path shall be provided for any room that can be closed off by a door

(except for baths, kitchens, closets, pantries, mechanical rooms, and laundry rooms).

5. All joints in the air distribution system including ducts, plenums, and equipment shall

be sealed with duct mastic.

Indoor Air Quality

In addition to the City’s Building Codes and other applicable regulations as they stand or may be amended, the following must be accomplished:

1. The minimum standard for indoor air quality of single-family residential structures

shall be the ASHRAETM Standard 62.2 as it stands or may be amended.

2. Each HVAC unit supplying air to a bedroom must receive all or a portion of outdoor

air distribution as required by ASHRAETM Standard 62.2. Total ventilation rate must

be divided between each HVAC unit supplying air to a bedroom. Ducts supplying

outdoor air must be equipped with manual dampers and a filter inside the return.

3. Outdoor air intakes must be screened and located under soffits or gables, at a

minimum of 60 inches from all roofing materials that are located below the air intake

(except metal roofs where roof penetration is allowed).

4. HVAC plenums on the supply & return side must be constructed of sheet metal (no

duct board), or equivalent material approved by the Building Official, with external

insulation (minimum R-6, if located in unconditioned space).

5. Heating and cooling equipment shall only be used during construction after

manufacturer specified filter is installed. Used filters must be replaced with a new

manufacturer recommended filter prior to the homeowner occupying the structure.

6. Central vacuums, where provided, shall be vented outdoors.

7. Carpets, cushions, and carpet adhesives shall carry the Carpet & Rug Institute (CRI)

Green Label.

8. Vinyl wallpaper is not allowed on the inside of exterior walls or either side of wet

walls such as bathrooms, kitchen, or laundry rooms.

9. Provide metal drip edge at all exposed roof decking.

Water Conservation

In addition to the City’s Landscape Ordinance and other applicable regulations as they stand or may be amended, the following must be accomplished:

1. Bedding must be mulched to a depth of 2-4 inches using recycled content mulch

which includes wood construction waste.

2. A portable drip irrigation bag or zoned bubbler system must be installed for each

installed tree.

Waste Recycling

In addition the City’s waste reduction and recycling regulations as they stand or may be

amended, the following must be accomplished:

1. Construction waste (brick and wood) hauled from the building site by the builder

shall be taken to a site or facility legally empowered to accept it for recycling as

approved by the County and State in which the facility is located.