Technology Assessment Division

Commercial Building Energy Conservation Code

Current Code

Effective July 20, 2011, all commercial buildings, not including low-rise multi-family residential buildings, in the State of Louisiana must meet the requirements of ASHRAE 90.1-2007

All low-rise (3 stories or less), multi-family residential buildings must meet the requirements of 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).  

In Louisiana, commercial buildings are defined as all buildings designed for human occupancy, except one and two family dwellings.  The code applies to new commercial buildings and buildings that undergo major renovation. Exempt from the code are (1) buildings less than 1,000 square feet gross floor area; and (2) areas of buildings intended primarily for manufacturing, commercial, or industrial processing.  In addition, special allowances are made for historic buildings (as defined in Act 91-2005).

Implementation of the code for state owned buildings is via plan review in the State Office of Facility Planning and Control and in the State Fire Marshal's office for all other commercial buildings.  It has been incorporated into their existing plan review processes.  After evaluation of building plans, the reviewer provides the designer and owner with a letter of apparent compliance or a letter of apparent noncompliance.  Owners, Contractors or the Professional of Record can appeal the issuance of a letter of apparent noncompliance, if they so desire.

Complying with the Energy Code

Documenting compliance with ASHRAE 90.1-2007 is done via the use of the software COMcheck™.  COMcheck™ can be downloaded without cost at www.energycodes.gov.  After downloading the software and selecting the applicable code (ASHRAE 90.1-2007), the required design characteristics of the proposed building are entered into each tab via pull-down menus.  After entering all data, the compliance forms (Envelope, Lighting and Mechanical) are printed, signed and mailed to the State Fire Marshal's office with the contract documents.

For low-rise multi-family structures, use REScheck™ (and select 2009 as the code) in place of COMcheck™.  REScheck™ is also available without cost at www.energycodes.gov.

For more information, view DENR’s Commercial Building Energy Code Fact Sheet.

History

The 1997 Louisiana Legislature enacted the Commercial Building Energy Conservation Code.  The state legislation was mandated by Congress as part of the Nation Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct), which requires that states incorporate energy efficiency standards into their building codes for commercial buildings.

The intent of Congress was to develop a national energy strategy that protects U.S. national security interests by reducing reliance on imported energy supplies, enhances the competitiveness of U.S. companies in a global economy by reducing energy costs and protects the environment and quality of life of US citizens.

It is estimated EPAct mandated building energy codes will prevent 6.5 million metric tons of carbon from being dispersed into the atmosphere, result in energy savings equivalent to almost 1,000 new fossil-fueled power plants, and save occupants over $1.5 billion per year in energy costs.

Louisiana's original legislation was prepared by a comprehensive commercial building industry advisory committee, representing all facets of the commercial building industry.  This first code went into effect on January 1, 1999.

In 2005, the State of Louisiana adopted ASHRAE 90.1-2001 as its Commercial Building Energy Conservation Code (CBECC).  This ASHRAE standard applied to commercial buildings and multi-family residential structures over three (3) stories.  The CBECC applicable code for multi-family structures three (3) stories or less was the IECC-2000. The CBECC is R.S. 40:1730.41.

In 2011, the Office of the State Fire Marshal completed a review of ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1-2007 and IECC 2009.  Both were determined to be beneficial and were adopted, effective July 11, 2011.

Other Information

Louisiana Revised Statute 40:1730.41

The legal basis for the code is Louisiana Revised Statute 40:1730.41-1730.48 (Title 40, Sections 1730.41 through 1730.48).  Click the above link to begin reading at section 1730.41.  At the top of that page, you can click “Next Section” to read through all applicable sections.

Office of the State Fire Marshal's Energy Code Requirements and Links
Information about the Commercial Energy Conservation Code from the Office of the State Fire Marshal

U.S. Government Accountability Office Report - Energy Efficiency
Important Challenges Must Be Overcome to Realize Significant Opportunities for Energy Efficiency Improvements in Gulf Coast Reconstruction

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)

International Code Council