March 13, 2002—After a lengthy public review in 2001, the City of Seattle has adopted revisions to the energy code requirements for nonresidential spaces (other than Group R occupancy). These changes will result in a 2002 Seattle Energy Code that will take effect on July 1, 2002.
The key changes are:
- Minimum HVAC equipment efficiencies have been updated to national standards, ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2001.
- Air intake, exhaust, and relief to have motorized dampers in most cases; dampers to have air leakage limits, similar to ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2001.
- Economizer required for HVAC serving computer rooms, electronic equipment, radio equipment, and telephone switchgear.
- Economizer threshold now 20,000 Btu/hour and larger for units on roof and in mechanical rooms adjacent to the outdoors.
- Water economizer criteria and documentation specified; integrated operation required for air and water systems (with exceptions); humidification criteria specified.
- Water economizer is limited to 500 tons per building.
- Air economizer to be base case in RS-29 analysis.
The revisions were published in the Washington State Register 02-01-112. For more information, contact the Washington State Building Code Council.
