Utah recently passed its Construction Code Modifications bill, updating the commercial building energy efficiency code from the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) to the 2018 IECC effective July 1, 2019.

The adoption to the 2018 IECC permits the use of the ASHRAE/IES 90.1-2016 standard, giving building owners and design teams an alternative compliance path to the 2018 IECC. Any plans submitted for permitting on or after the effective date are required to follow 2018 IECC new energy code requirements.

The updated code will increase energy efficiency and lower energy operation costs for commercial buildings. Harold Jepsen, Vice President of Standards and Industry Affairs, Building Control Systems at Legrand, has outlined important lighting control changes in the code as well as recommended solutions that meet these requirements.

Lighting Control Provision Changes

• Occupancy sensor control shut off time delay is lowered to 20 minutes from 30 minutes.
• Occupancy sensor controls for lighting shut off are required for open plan offices. Additionally, open plan offices must limit the size of the occupancy sensor-controlled area to separate 600 square foot zones. When occupancy is no longer detected in these individual zones, general lighting must automatically shut off or reduced by at least 80 percent. When all individual lighting zones no longer detect occupants, the entire open office space must shut general lighting completely off.
• A new code provision addresses the use of Luminaire Level Lighting Control (LLLC) technologies as an alternate lighting control option as long as the luminaires have embedded occupancy sensors, daylight sensing controls, dimming, wireless zoning capability, along with other setpoint and adjustment parameters.
• An exception was made that allows a trade-off for daylighting controls that requires an overall reduction of total building lighting power allowance equal to 40 percent of the allowed power for any daylight responsive zones using the exception.

 Additional Code Changes

Two more measure options were added to the Additional Efficiency Package Options, increasing the compliance choices from six options to eight. One added measure is to increase building envelope performance and the second measure is for reduced air infiltration. Neither of the two lighting specific efficiency options were changed from the 2015 IECC code.

Solutions

Legrand is prepared to assist with the new code by offering compliant products and solutions, including Wattstopper Digital Lighting Management (DLM) system products:

• In open plan office areas, products like the LMDC-100 low profile Dual Technology Ceiling Mount Occupancy Sensor are ideal where using just one detection technology could result in false triggers.
• A wide range of Wattstopper occupancy sensors - including the LMPC-100 low profile Digital PIR Ceiling Mount Occupancy Sensor (with room controller) - automatically turns lighting on and off based on occupancy. In addition, the NEW DCLV2 0-10V Decorator Dimmer, which controls and dims low voltage lighting loads, can be set for Manual-On or Partial-On to meet code.

• Automatic daylight-responsive controls like the Wattstopper LMLS-500 photosensors automatically switch or dim lighting based on ambient light and/or daylight levels.

Resources
 

• IECC (2018) Quick Guide to Commercial Lighting and Electrical Control Requirements
• IECC® (2018) Design Guides for DLM and IECC® Room Categories
• Legrand Energy Code Resources
• Distributors and Contractors: Wattstopper Spaces Training is a program intended to help you choose the right type of lighting control product for the right application space. For more information about this program, please contact Regional Sales.
• Architects and Engineers: Legrand and our local sales teams are available to conduct in-person training on these code changes. Reach out to our Local Agent:

 www.legrand.us.