Home Innovation Begins Preparations for 2015 National Green Building Standard Update

Home Innovation Research Labs, in its capacity as an ANSI-approved standard developer, has announced preparations for the development of the 2015 version of the National Green Building Standard (NGBS) are now officially underway. Home Innovation will again act as the secretariat, or administrator, of the standard development process. Once completed, the updated standard will again be submitted to ANSI for approval.

The 2015 version of the the National Green Building Standard (NGBS) will be the third iteration of this national residential standard. It was originally developed by a Consensus Committee and approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in January 2009, making it the first point-based rating system for green residential construction, remodeling, and land development to be approved by ANSI. As an ANSI-approved standard, the document is subject to periodic updates as a way to ensure that advances in building codes, technology, and other developments can be considered for incorporation. The NGBS was updated in 2012 and again approved by ANSI in January 2013.

To be eligible for ANSI approval, the development of the standard must follow an ANSI-approved process, which is now officially underway with Home Innovation Labs issuing a call for members of the Consensus Committee that will be charged with developing updates to the NGBS. Similar to the make-up of the first two committees convened to develop the 2008 and 2012 versions of the standard, the committee for the 2015 updated version will include government officials, advocacy groups, home builders, product manufacturers, and other affected industry stakeholders in residential construction.

The committee members and other interested parties will be assigned to task groups, each specializing in a different area of the NGBS — such as energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, or lot and site development. Those who would like to apply to serve on the Consensus Committee or a Task Group must submit their applications online by March 16, 2014.

Home Innovation is also announcing a call for proposed changes to the 2012 edition of the NGBS. Individuals and groups can submit their proposed changes to the NGBS online by March 24, 2014. Task groups will review the proposed changes and develop committee proposals in early 2014.

"ANSI rules for standards development provide checks and balances based on the principles of openness, consensus, balance, and due process, lending to the unmatched credibility of the National Green Building Standard in the residential industry," said Michael Luzier, president and CEO of Home Innovation Research Labs. "Because the ANSI process requires a balanced representation of stakeholders on the Consensus Committee and consideration of the views of all participants, this update provides an important opportunity for all those with an interest in bona fide green home building."

The entire Consensus Committee will hold two hearings in Washington, D.C., in 2014.

• At the first hearing, committee members will initiate the review of all proposed changes to the NGBS, which will include input from members of the relevant Task Groups.
   
• At the second hearing, Consensus Committee members will consider, discuss, and take formal action on all proposed changes.

Once the committee has completed its work, the newly updated National Green Building Standard will be submitted to ANSI for approval in 2015.

For additional information and for all future updates on the 2015 NGBS development process, visit www.HomeInnovation.com/NGBS.

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ABOUT: Home Innovation Research Labs, located in Upper Marlboro, Md., is a full-service research, testing, and consulting firm determined to improve the quality, durability, affordability, and environmental performance of single- and multifamily homes and home building products – in short, we aim to perfect the home. Founded in 1964 as a subsidiary of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), our team has been integral in solving many of our client’s most difficult product and technology issues, and helping to introduce some of the most groundbreaking innovations in construction. Through an interdisciplinary research approach – including market research, building science analysis, laboratory testing, and standards development – we help to find a home for innovation in the construction industry.

NOTE TO EDITORS ON STYLE USAGE: To identify this company and its work correctly, first reference should be "Home Innovation Research Labs." In subsequent mentions, “Home Innovation” should be used; we are not identified by an acronym. Prior to February 12, 2013, the company was known as the NAHB Research Center.