In its feature in the Building Safety Journal, the International Code Council (ICC) informed building code officials that they can accept certified RESNET HERS® Raters for undertaking required energy code inspections and testing in their jurisdiction. The feature stated that as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic Building safety departments across the country are facing a challenging question of whether to shut down, remain open or curtail some of their operations. Deemed essential by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and state governments across the U.S., code officials play a necessary role in the building and construction industry. Many building safety departments, however, are facing limited resources and increased demands on their time. ICC announced that it has partnered with RESNET on a new program that assists building safety departments that can supplement their operations while ensuring the energy provisions of the code are met in residential structures. The feature states, “Code officials can elect to accept RESNET HERS® Raters that are also currently certified by the Code Council as Residential Energy Inspectors/Plan Examiners for undertaking required energy code inspections and testing in their jurisdiction. These individuals can be recognized by their IECC/HERS® Compliance Specialist certification from the Code Council that confirms both building science and energy code competence.” ICC also announced that “RESNET has adopted a temporary 120-day emergency policy allowing remote inspection and testing for HERS® Raters that reside in areas where there are shelter-in-place and stay-at-home mandates. To download the policy, click on Revised Procedures for Remote Inspections and Testing Alternatives. To maximize public health building departments should consider the new RESNET emergency procedures.” ICC informed code officials that certified RESNET HERS® Raters bring the following qualifications that can assist building safety departments during this national emergency: • They have successfully completed a stringent training and certification process following industry-recognized national standards and have demonstrated their knowledge in the application of building science. • They have completed air leakage and duct tightness training in accordance with the ANSI/RESNET/ICC 380-2019: Standard for Testing Airtightness of Building Enclosures, Airtightness of Heating and Cooling Air Distribution Systems, and Airflow of Mechanical Ventilation Systems. This Code Council standard is adopted by reference in the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). • They adhere to strict quality assurance oversight standards set by RESNET. The feature also linked to the “RESNET HERS® Raters: Your Trusted Third-Party Code Inspector” infographic. To download the ICC announcement click on HERS® Raters Can Assist Building Safety Departments During National Pandemic HERS® Raters are urged to contact their local building departments and educate them of the ICC announcement and the role that they can play in assisting them to meet the demand for their services under the constraints of the current COVID-19 national emergency. RESNET Executive Director, Steve Baden remarked about the ICC announcement “For many years, HERS® Raters across the country have been trusted by their local building departments to conduct energy code compliance verification and testing. This announcement by ICC is tremendous validation for HERS® Rater involvement in energy code compliance.”
