City of Southlake

Energy Code Policies

The city has established policies for enforcing the energy codes, which include the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code and the Energy Conservation chapter of the International Residential Code.

Background:

The Texas 76th Legislature adopted the 2000 IECC and IRC effective September 1, 2001. The Cities are required to enforce the codes not later than September 1, 2002. The City adopted the International Energy Conservation Code, 2000 Edition and the energy provisions of the International Residential Code effective January 1, 2002. Subsequently on March 4, 2008 the City Council adopted ordinances updating the construction codes for the City of Southlake. These codes are effective on projects submitted for permits on or after April 1, 2008. These new codes include the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code and the Energy Conservation chapter of the International Residential Code.

Policies:

• The Department of Energy software program COMcheck for commercial projects and the Texas A&M program, International Code Compliance Calculator, ICCC, are accepted when the printout is attached to the plans submitted for permit. The plans examiners will compare the building plans to the analysis on the printout. The inspectors will then use the check list from the program when inspecting the structure.
• In order to use the prescriptive method and the tables in the code, the same information must be submitted along with the plans as is included with the computer program. The details will be verified in plan review and field inspection according to the code.
• The Texas law also recognizes Energy Star as an above code alternate for residential construction.  The code analysis is required with plan submittal and a copy of the final approval by the third party Energy Star inspector must be submitted prior to request for building final inspection.
• When floor decking is fastened on joists above unconditioned space the concealed joist space must be insulated to a minimum of R-19 regardless if there are any intentions to finish a room over it in the future or not.
• Office or Commercial building shell construction will require demonstration of compliance of the building envelope requirements.
• Interior finish of space within those buildings will require demonstration of compliance of the mechanical, electrical and plumbing requirements.
• Existing shell buildings shall be considered legal with respect to the shell requirements but finish shall comply as above.
• Remodeling of previously finished space will only require justification with respect to energy code as it relates to items altered. For example if the envelope is altered then those altered elements shall comply at least to the prescriptive requirements of the code. Similarly if ductwork is extended, the new ducts shall be insulated as required by code but the unaltered portions may remain.
• Light fixtures may be relocated within an existing commercial space without calculating total power and allowable power but if new fixtures are added increasing the net power used for lighting then the space must be justified with respect to lighting power. Justification may be just the affected room or the entire suite at the designer's option.
• Newly conditioned spaces such as garage conversions, bonus rooms or additions to buildings shall comply to the same extent as new construction.