Building codes are important for two key reasons: they provide the public with the peace of mind that accompanies the knowledge of a structure’s sound construction, and they codify a diverse set of best practices. While some building codes may focus on the strength of the materials used or the number of emergency exits in a building, other codes relate to facets such as energy efficiency. For building owners and construction managers, staying apprised of changes in building codes is an important task that can have a substantial influence on the decisions you make.
When it comes to the realm of energy conservation and climate control, there have been some important changes to building codes in the past few years. As air curtain technology sees continuing improvements and increasing use in diverse industries, regulatory undertakings such as the IECC, or the International Energy Conservation Code, have adapted to respond to changes in best practices. So too has the IgCC, a building code designed for environmental friendliness. What is new in these codes that you should know about?
Recognition comes to advances in air curtain technology
Perhaps the most important change came in the 2015 IECC guidance, as air curtains gained formal recognition as a viable alternative to a vestibule. Visit any older building with a large interior space, such a shopping mall or an office building with an expansive lobby, and you’re likely to pass through a vestibule first. Designed as an effort to keep a building’s interior air where it is and prevent hotter or cooler outside air from coming inside, vestibules were for years the “go-to” solution for reducing building-wide energy consumption. With the IECC now recognizing air curtains, eliminating vestibules from a building’s design is now a good option. This valuable space can be reclaimed in existing buildings, too, with the installation of an air curtain. Likewise, the 2012 edition of the IgCC also accepts that air curtains are acceptable alternatives.
Using air curtains in place of traditional solutions
Certain requirements do need to be met for an air curtain to be a compliant alternative to a vestibule, but for most building designers, this is not a great concern. Manufacturers have had several years to consider the changes implemented in these codes, such as the requirement for a gentle air stream that flows at a velocity of 2 meters per second at a minimum. As a result, most of the curtains available on the market now are already compliant and ready for use. If you’re planning a remodel or are in the process of designing a new building, consider consulting the updated IECC and IgCC guidance as you proceed with your latest plans.
Air Door Distributors offers access to a wealth of experience and industry leading products that are always up to code and ready for immediate installation in your chosen application. To explore more information about the benefits of air curtains or to discuss using them in place of a vestibule, please get in touch with our team today.
