Abu Dhabi’s New Building Codes:

Underpinning Sustainable
Development

Big 5, 2012

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 The DMA

 4 entities, DMA, Abu Dhabi

Municipality, Al Ain Municipality,
Western Region Municipality
 Staff of 4000+
 DMA develops strategy, policy and
regulations.
 Municipalities are the
implementation arm.

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 DMA’s Vision & Mission

Vision
“An advanced municipal system that enables sustainable development
and enhances quality of living for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.”

Mission
“To achieve the Abu Dhabi Government’s objective of providing distinctive
municipal services that enhance the quality of living of all residents
through coordination, oversight and monitoring of the Abu Dhabi
Municipalities and Municipal Councils”

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In 2006 the government underwent a restructure to create a
decentralized model…..

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of specialist departments with specific functions…

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 DMA is providing the integrated framework to enable the
development of sustainable cities, with an enhanced quality of
life…

 Commitment towards creating cities

that are economically, socially and
ecologically sustainable.
 Collaborate with other government
agencies.
 Develop laws and regulations.
 Develop municipal governance
frameworks.
 Support the Municipal System deliver
quality services
 Developing relationships with the public,
private & ‘third’ sectors

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 through an advanced Municipal System…

“By integrating the regulations and

policies of all government agencies …the
DMA can demonstrate to the world that
the Emirate has a comprehensive
regulatory framework in place befitting
a 21st Century economy”

HE Ahmed Shareef-DMA Undersecretary-

2009 Sustainability Report

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 and the Municipal Code regulatory framework
Municipal Code

Environmental Urban Property, Building Public Public Health Traffic and Licensing & Community Public Order Administration
Protection Development and Construction Infrastructure and Safety Parking Fair Trade Services and Security & Operations

Urban Planning, Public Housing Emergency

Water Roadways and Animal Control Traffic Control General Licensing Rules
Land Use and Construction and Land for Preparedness and
Sidewalks Governing Code
Zoning Citizens and Response

Property Licensing of
Noise Pollution City Image Water Supply Food Safety Parking Control Mortuary Administration
Ownership and Events and Public Order
Lease Services and Personnel
Facilities

Waste Disposal, Signs and Promotion of Vehicles Control Libraries Administrative

Fair Trade
Littering Billboards Public Health Guidelines

Tents for Finance,

Air Pollution
Weddings and Procurement, &
Occasions Contracting

Environmental Relation to other

Reporting and Laws,
Disclosure Regulations

Main Responsibility for Regulation

DED / Health
Dept. of Economic ADFCA ADWEA DOT DOF
Dept / Tourism
Development / Municipality
Auth. / Municipality

DMA & Centre of

EAD DOT and UPC EAD / Municipality
Municipalities Waste
Abu Dhabi Police And Municipality
Management

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Regulating the construction sector is the Abu Dhabi International
Building Code….

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The Abu Dhabi International Building Code…improving quality
of life and quality of construction by addressing…

• Durability
• Life safety & accessibility
• Interior environment (ventilation & daylighting)
• Structural design & inspection
• Materials-durability and combustibility & ecological
impact (cement replacement)
• Flood resistance

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The Abu Dhabi International Mechanical Code…improving indoor air
quality, reducing CO2 emissions and protecting the ozone layer
through….

• Prescribed minimum outdoor air %,

• Minimum ventilation rates to protect
occupant health,
• Design of ductwork to promote efficiency
(insulation, leakage)
• Zone and air distribution effectiveness,
• Minimum car park ventilation rates,
• Exhaust systems,
• Refrigerant classifications,
• Thermal storage & ground source heat
pump systems

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The Abu Dhabi International Property Maintenance Code, the
vehicle for all sustainability programmes for existing buildings..

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The Abu Dhabi International Energy Conservation Code is central
to reducing the carbon dioxide emissions from the new and
existing buildings….

• Energy density targets- UN targets for

extremely hot climates (Kuwait, Riyadh,
Calcutta, Hong Kong) of 132kWh/m2/pa
for residential & 96kWh/m2/pa for
commercial are achievable.

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the UAE has a number of codes that relate to buildings but no
official energy conservation code per se…

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 ..as part of the adaption process DMA benchmarked the IECC
against international standards to ensure these minimum
standards where achievable ….at a stretch.....

ASHRAE 90.1-2007 UN-H3 Decree

IECC- 2006 Badrah Nick L Germany Part L Climate 2 EGBC Masdar Zone 66 Estidama
U value roof 0.28 0.15 0.25 0.25 0.27 0.12 1.5 0.44
U values walls 0.87 0.25 0.33 (R3) 0.35 0.857 (non res) 0.7 (res) 0.25 1.5 0.57 0.51
Fenestration U value 4.32 1.6 2.1 2.2 3.97-4.26 (metal frame) 1-1.2(office) 2.7 2.1-3.28
Window frame U value 0.2 0.2
SHGC 0.25-0.4 0.27 0.25-0.4 0.25 0.23-0.27 0.35-0.4
Max % Fenestration 40 30 25
25-27
Set point temp 24-26 24 summer
5.0m3/hr/m2 0.02-0.03 at
Infiltration 5.5m3/hr/m2 @50Pa @50Pa 4pa

KWH/m2/pa-Residential Villa 95
KWH/m2/pa-Residential
Apartment 85 70 132
KWH/m2/pa-Office 70 96
KWH/m2/pa-Large Public Bldg 70 108

Lighting efficinecy lm/W 60 45 70

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 Table Of Contents

CHAPTER 1 ADMINISTRATION CHAPTER 4 RESIDENTIAL ENERGY

PART 1—SCOPE AND APPLICATION
EFFICIENCY
Section101 Scope and General Requirements
102 Alternate Materials- Method of Construction, Section 401 General
Design or Insulating Systems 402 Building Thermal Envelope
403 Systems
PART 2—ADMINISTRATION AND 404 Electrical Power and Lighting Systems
ENFORCEMENT 405 Simulated Performance Alternative.
103 Construction Documents
104 Inspections CHAPTER 5 COMMERCIAL ENERGY
105 Validity
EFFICIENCY
106 Reference Standards
107 Fees
108 Stop Work Order Section 501 General
109 Board of Appeal 502 Building Envelope Requirements
503 Building Mechanical Systems
CHAPTER 2 DEFINITIONS
504 Service Water Heating
Section 201 General 505 Electrical Power and Lighting Systems
202 General Definitions 506 Additional Efficiency Package Options
507 Total Building Performance
CHAPTER 3 GENERAL REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 6 REFERENCE STANDARDS
Section 301 Climate Zones
302 Design Conditions .
303 Materials, Systems and Equipment INDEX

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General Regulations -Section 301- Climate Zones

• Zone 1 classification is 5000< CDD 10°C

• UAE has 6254 annual cooling degree-days (10°C baseline)

AND THEREFORE IS CLASSIFIED ZONE 1

• Warm-humid Definition—Moist (A) locations where either

of the following wet-bulb temperature conditions shall
occur during the warmest six consecutive months of the
year:

67°F (19.4°C) or higher for 3,000 or more hours; or

2. 73°F (22.8°C) or higher for 1,500 or more hours

DATA SHOWS ABU DHABI IS NOT CONSIDERED WARM &

HUMID TO (A) CLASSIFICATION

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Section 302- Design Conditions

302.1 Interior design conditions. The interior design

temperatures used for heating and cooling load calculations
shall be a maximum of 72°F (22°C) for heating and minimum
of 75°F (24°C) for cooling with a relative humidity of 50 ±5%.

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Chapter 5- COMMERCIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Section 501- General
501.2 Application.
(Prescriptive Route)
The commercial building project shall comply with the requirements
in section 502 (Building Envelope) , 503 (Mechanical Systems) , 504
(Service Hot Water ) and 505 (Electrical Power & Lighting) in its
entirety and one of the additional options as presented in Section
506 (Additional Efficiency Options).

(Performance Route)
As an alternative the commercial building project shall exceed by at
least 25% the requirements of ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1- 2007,
Section 11 in its entirety.

Exceptions:
(Hybrid Route)
Buildings conforming to Section 507 (Total Systems Performance)
provided Sections 502.4 (Air leakage) ,503.2 (Mechanical Systems),
504 (Hot Water), 505.2 (Power & Lighting), 505.3 (Tandem Wiring),
505.4 (Exit Signs), 505.6 (Exterior Lighting) and 505.7 (Metering) are
each satisfied. Building energy cost shall be equal to or less than 85%
of the standard reference design building.
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Section 502- Building Envelope Requirements
Element U value (W/m2.K) Projection SHGC
Roof Factor (PF)*

Insulation entirely above deck 0.22 PF<0.25 0.25

Metal buildings 0.36
0.25<PF<0.5 0.33
Attic & Other 0.19
Walls Above Grade PF>0.5 0.4

Mass 0.33
*The greater the projection
Metal buildings 0.52
then more relaxed the SHGC
Metal framed 0.21
Wood framed & other 0.20
Fenestration (Max 30% Area)
U-value 2.21
Metal Framing
Curtain Wall/ storefront 2.10
Entrance Door 2.80
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Section 502.4- Air Leakage
502.4.1 Air Barriers- The building thermal envelope shall be
constructed with a continuous air barrier to control air
leakage into and out of conditioned space.

502.4.1.2.1 Materials- Individual materials to have an air

permeability not to exceed 0.2L/s.m2 at 75 Pa

502.4.1.2.3 Building Test - The completed the building shall

be tested and the air leakage rate of the building envelope
shall not exceed 2.0 L/s/m2 at 75 Pa (7.2 m3/hr @ 75 Pa)

502.4.5.2 Outdoor Intakes & Exhausts- to have class A

motorized dampers with maximum leakage of 5.1L/s/m3
@1250 Pa Exception: Gravity dampers with leakage rate of
34L/s/m3 at 1250 Pa when intake or exhaust doesn’t
exceed 300 cfm.

502.4.8 Recessing Lighting- to have a maximum air leakage

rate of 0.944 L/s at 75 Pa

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Section 503- Building Mechanical Systems- (ADIMC)

503.1 General- Mechanical systems are classified into simple and complex
systems.

503.2.1- Calculation of heating & cooling loads-In accordance with

ASHRAE 183.

503.2.2 Equipment & systems sizing- shall not exceed the loads calculated
using ASHRAE 183- Exception- 1. Standby equipment and 2. Multiple
units of the same equipment type providing there are controls to
sequence operation of each unit based on load.

503.2.3 HVAC equipment performance requirements- Energy efficiency

ratings at Full load & IPLV for a variety of simple & complex systems
including:
A/C Air cooled- split/packages
A/C Water cooled- splits /packages/centrifugal/reciprocating/absorption
(single, double effect, gas fired)
A/C Groundwater cooled-

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Section 503.2.4- HVAC systems controls

503.2.4.1 Thermostatic controls –one per

thermal zone including humidity control .
Exception: Independent perimeter systems.

503.2.4.2 Set-point overlap restriction-

where used to control heating & cooling
thermostatic controls shall provide a
temperature range (dead band) of at least 2.8
deg C within which the supply of heating
/cooling to the zone can be shut off or
reduced to a minimum.

503.2.4.3.2 Automatic setback & shutdown

capabilities-

503.2.4.3.3 Automatic start capabilities-

503.2.4.4- Shut off damper controls -

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Section 503.2.5 Ventilation- (ADIMC)

503.2.5.1 Demand control ventilation-

required for spaces larger than 50m2 with
an occupancy of 40 people per 93m2

503.2.6 Energy recovery ventilation

system- each fan system shall have an
energy recovery system to recover at least
50% of the difference between the indoor
and outdoor air enthalpies. Excludes:
Laboratory fume systems and other
system s that use coils wrapped around
the cooling coil for dehumidification.

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Section 503.2.7 Duct & Plenum Insulation & Sealing

503.2.7.1.1 Medium pressure duct systems-

Insulation-R-5 insulation when located in
unconditioned spaces and R- 8 when located
outside the building
Sealing-all joints, seams and connections operating
at a static pressure <746 Pa shall be securely
fastened and sealed with welds , gaskets, mastics or
tapes in accordance with a manufacturers
instructions.

503.2.7.1.3 High pressure duct systems -

Insulation- (Same as medium pressure).
Sealing-operating at > 746 Pa shall be tested in
accordance with the SMACNA (Sheet Metal and A/C
contractors National Assoc.) HVAV Air Duct Leakage
Test Manual. Evidence to be shown that 25% of the
duct area has been tested.

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Section 503.2.9 Mechanical System Commissioning
503.2.9.1.1 Commissioning plan -detailed explanation of the
equipment & systems to be tested, measurable criteria for acceptable
performance etc.

503.2.9.1.2 Systems adjusting & balancing- air and water flow rates
shall be measured and adjusted to within 10% of design rates. Air
systems balancing in accordance with ADIMC .

503.2.9.1.3 Equipment functional performance testing- demonstrate

correct installation & operation of systems components.

503.2.9.1.3.2 Controls functional performance- HVAC controls to be

tested to ensure they are calibrated and operate in sequence.

503.2.9.1.4 Preliminary commissioning report- reqd. for completion

503.2.9.3.2 Manuals - operating and maintenance manual

503.2.9.3.4 Final commissioning report- to include results from

functional performance test, deficiencies found during testing and test
procedure
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Section 503.2.10 Air system design and control- RIGHTSIZING FANS
503.2.10.1 Allowable fan horsepower- each
HVAC system’s fan horsepower (hp) is to be
designed in accordance with the ADIECC
criteria;

hp< CFM (air )*0.0015 (assuming variable

volume)

503.2.9.1.2 Motor nameplate horsepower- the

selected fan motor shall be no larger than the
first available motor size greater than the
breaking horse power.

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Section 503.4 Complex HVAC Systems & Equipment
503.4.2 Variable Air Volume (VAV) fan control-
Individual fans with >5.6kW (7.5hp) shall have:
1. Variable speed drive
2. Driven by a vane-axial fan with variable pitch
3. Controls to ensure that the fan motor demand
is no more than 30% of design wattage at 50%
airflow rate.
4. Static pressure sensors in ductwork

503.4.4- Heat rejection equipment fan speed

control- fans >5.6kW shall have the capacity to
operate at <2/3 of full speed +controls that
automatically change the fan speed to control the
heat rejection process.

503.4.6 Heat recovery for service hot water

heating- for facilities operating 24 hours where
heat rejection is 6 Million Btu/hr and service water
load > 1 Million Btu/hr

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Section 504 - SERVICE WATER HEATING
504.2 Service water heating equipment performance
efficiency- for the following systems:

• Water heaters (electric)

• Storage water heaters (gas)
• Instantaneous water heaters (gas)
• Hot water supply boilers (gas)
• Heat pump pool heaters

504.3 Temperature controls- set-point of 43deg C for

dwelling units.

504.6 Hot water systems controls- automatic circulating hot

water systems to be turned off when the system is not in
operation.

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Section 505 – ELECTRIC POWER & LIGHTING SYSTEMS
505.1 General -covers lighting systems controls ,
maximum lighting power etc.
Exception: 1. Where 75% of light fixtures within a
dwelling are fitted with high efficacy lamps ( >60
lumens/watt) or
2. Low voltage lighting is used.

505.2.2.1 Light reduction controls- allow occupant

to reduce intensity level by at least 50%.

505.2.2.2 Daylight zone control- (Daylight zone

definition-Depth 4.572m deep , Width = window
width +610mm each side) - Maximum 232m2 -
allowed to be controlled by a single device.

505.2.2.3 Automatic daylight controls- shut off

lighting using either:
1. Occupancy sensors,
2. Time clocks , or
3. Automatic daylight sensors zones
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Section 505.5- Interior lighting power requirements
LIGHTING POWER DENSITY

WHOLE BUILDING W/m2

Whole Building Space by Space
Building Area Type (W/ft2)
Active Storage 0.8

Atrium – First Three Floors 0.6

CONVENTION CENTRE 9.68

Atrium – Each Additional Floor 0.2
Automotive Facility 0.9
Classroom/lecture/training 1.3

Conference/Meeting/Multipurpose 1.1

Corridor/Transition

Electrical/Mechanical

Food Preparation
0.5

1.1

1.2
COURTHOUSE 12.91
Inactive Storage 0.2

Lobby

Restroom
1.1

0.8
DINING: LOUNGE/LEISURE 14.00
Stairway 0.6

DINING: CAFE 15.07

CONVENTION CENTER 1.2
Exhibit Space 1.3

Audience/Seating Area 0.9

COURTHOUSE 1.2
Audience/Seating Area

Courtroom

Confinement Cells
0.9

1.9

0.9
DINING: FAMILY 17.22
Judges Chambers 1.3

Dressing/Locker/Fitting Room
DINING: BAR LOUNGE/LEISURE 1.3
0.6
DORMITORY 10.76
Lounge/Leisure Dining 1.4
DINING: CAFETERIA/FAST FOOD 1.4
DINING: FAMILY
Dining
1.6
1.4 EXERCISE CENTRE 10.76
Kitchen 1.2
DORMITORY 1
Living Quarters

Bedroom
1.1

0.5
GYMNASIUM 11.84
Study Hall 1.4

HEALTHCARE CLINIC 10.76

EXERCISE CENTER 1
Dressing/Locker/Fitting Room 0.6

Audience/Seating Area 0.3

Exercise Area 0.9

Exercise Area/Gymnasium
GYMNASIUM
Dressing/Locker/Fitting Room
1.1
0.9

0.6
HOTEL 10.76
Audience/Seating Area 0.4
Playing Area 1.4
Exercise Area
HEALTHCARE CLINIC
Corridors w/patient waiting, exam
1
0.9

1
LIBRARY 14.00
Exam/Treatment 1.5
Emergency
Public & Staff Lounge
Hospital/Medical supplies
2.7
0.8
1.4
MANUFACTURING FACILITY 14.00
Hospital - Nursery 0.6
Nurse station 1
Physical therapy
Patient Room
Pharmacy
0.9
0.7
1.2
MUSEUM etc… 11.84
Hospital/Radiology 0.4
Operating Room 2.2
Recovery 0.8
Active storage 0.9

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Section 505.6 – Exterior Lighting Zones

LIGHTING ZONE DESCRIPTION

Developed areas of national parks, state parks,
1
forest land, and rural areas
Areas predominantly consisting of residential
zoning, neighborhood business districts, light
2
industrial with limited nighttime use and
residential mixed use areas
3 All other areas
High-activity commercial districts in major
4 metropolitan areas as designated by the local
land use planning authority

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Section 505.6- Power Allowances for Building Exteriors
Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Zone 4
Base Site Allowance
(Base allowance may be used in 500 W 600 W 750 W 1300 W
tradable or non tradable surfaces.)
Uncovered Parking Areas
Parking areas and
0.04 W/ft2 0.06 W/ft2 0.10 W/ft2 0.13 W/ft2
drives
Building Grounds
Walkways less than
0.7 W/linear foot 0.7 W/linear foot 0.8 W/linear foot 1.0 W/linear foot
10 feet wide
Walkways 10 feet
wide
0.14 W/ft2 0.14 W/ft2 0.16 W/ft2 0.2 W/ft2
or greater, plaza areas
special feature areas
Tradable Surfaces Stairways
Pedestrian tunnels
0.75 W/ft2
0.15 W/ft2
1.0 W/ft2
0.15 W/ft2
1.0 W/ft2
0.2 W/ft2
1.0 W/ft2
0.3 W/ft2
(Lighting power densities for uncovered Building Entrances and Exits
parking areas, building grounds, 20 W/linear foot 20 W/linear foot 30 W/linear foot 30 W/linear foot
Main entries
building entrances and exits, canopies of door width of door width of door width of door width
20 W/linear foot 20 W/linear foot 20 W/linear foot 20 W/linear foot
and overhangs and outdoor sales areas Other doors
of door width of door width of door width of door width
may be traded.) Entry canopies 0.25 W/ft2 0.25 W/ft2 0.4 W/ft2 0.4 W/ft2
Sales Canopies
Free-standing and
0.6 W/ft2 0.6 W/ft2 0.8 W/ft2 1.0 W/ft2
attached
Outdoor Sales
Open areas (including
0.25 W/ft2 0.25 W/ft2 0.5 W/ft2 0.7 W/ft2
vehicle sales lots)
Street frontage for
vehicle sales lots in
No allowance 10 W/linear foot 10 W/linear foot 30 W/linear foot
addition to "open area"
allowance
0.1 W/ft2 for each illuminated 0.15 W/ft2 for each illuminated 0.2 W/ft2 for each illuminated
wall or surface or 2.5 W/linear wall or surface or 3.75 W/linear wall or surface or 5.0 W/linear
Building facades No allowance
foot for each illuminated wall or foot for each illuminated wall or foot for each illuminated wall or
surface length surface length surface length
Non tradable Surfaces Automated teller
machines and night
270 W per location plus 90 W 270 W per location plus 90 W
per additional per additional
270 W per location plus 90 W
per additional
270 W per location plus 90 W
per additional
(Lighting power density calculations for depositories ATM per location ATM per location ATM per location ATM per location
Entrances and
the following applications can be used gatehouse inspection 0.75 W/ft2 of covered 0.75 W/ft2 of covered 0.75 W/ft2 of covered 0.75 W/ft2 of covered
only for the specific application and stations at guarded and uncovered area and uncovered area and uncovered area and uncovered area
facilities
cannot be traded between surfaces or Loading areas for law
with other exterior lighting. The enforcement, fire,
0.5 W/ft2 of covered 0.5 W/ft2 of covered 0.5 W/ft2 of covered 0.5 W/ft2 of covered
following allowances are in addition to ambulance and other
and uncovered area and uncovered area and uncovered area and uncovered area
emergency service
any allowance otherwise permitted in vehicles
the "Tradable Surfaces" section of this Drive-up
400 W per drive-through 400 W per drive-through 400 W per drive-through 400 W per drive-through
windows/doors
table.)
Parking near
800 W per main 800 W per main 800 W per main 800 W per main 34
24-hour
entry entry entry entry
retail
Section 506 – ADDITIONAL EFFICIENCY PACKAGE OPTIONS
506.1 Requirements. Buildings shall comply with at least one of the
following:

a. 506.2 Efficient Mechanical Equipment

b. 506.3 Efficient Lighting System Requirement

c. 506.4 On-Site Supply of Renewable Energy

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Section 506.2- Efficient Mechanical Equipment

Equipment Type Size Unit Full Load IPLV Full Load IPLV
Section Section Section Section
503 503 506 506
Water cooled > 600 T kW/T 0.57 0.539 0.55 0.51
centrifugal chiller

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Section 506.3- Efficient Lighting System Requirements

Facility Whole building Whole building

W/m2 W/m2
Section 505 Section 506
Healthcare Clinic 10.76 9.58

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Section 506.4- Renewable Energy

506.4 On-site Supply of Renewable Energy- The building or

surrounding property shall supply 3% or more of building energy
use with on-site renewable energy.

On-site power generation using nonrenewable sources does not

meet this requirement.

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Section 507- Total Building Performance
507.1 Scope- The following systems and loads shall be used to calculate the
total building performance:

• Cooling systems
• Heating systems
• Service water heating
• Fan systems
• Lighting power
• Receptacle loads
• Process loads

507.2 Mandatory requirement- compliance with the following sections:

• 502.4- Air leakage

• 503.2-Provisions applicable to all mechanical systems
(calculation of cooling loads, equipment sizing ASHRAE 183)
• 504-Service hot water heating
• 505- Electrical power & lighting systems

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Thank You

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