The State of Oregon updated three codes through the adoption process administered by the Building Codes Division. The three codes were formally adopted on October 1, 2019 with a 3-month phase-in period. During the phase-in period, either the previous code or the new code can be used. At the conclusion of the phase-in period, January 1, 2020, the new codes must be used.
Building-related codes in Oregon are based on industry standard code documents, referred to as the base code, with Oregon-specific amendments. The “building code” in Oregon is referred to as the Oregon Structural Specialty Code, or OSSC. The new building code is the 2019 OSSC with the 2018 International Building Code (IBC) as the base code.
The new codes are:
2019 Oregon Structural Specialty Code with the 2018 IBC, as the base code
2019 Oregon Mechanical Specialty Code with the 2018 IMC as the base code
2019 Oregon Zero Energy Ready Commercial Code with 2016 ASHRAE 90.1 as the base code
A state wide alternate is available for the energy code for commercial building to use the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code. Please note that the energy code is incorporated in the OSSC as Chapter 13, however Chapter 13 references the Oregon Zero Energy Ready Commercial Code as a separate document, which in turn references 2016 ASHRAE 90.1. The previous Oregon energy code was based on the IECC, therefore the change to a new base code document will require more training for code officials, inspectors, and the design and construction community.
Code Unlimited is leading a training session on January 10, 2019 at noon for an overview of the 2019 OSSC. The presentation will be at the Portland Center for Architecture with broadcast sites set up in Bend, Eugene, Salem, and the Medford area. Go here for more information. Reservations will be available on the AIA Oregon website by December 5, 2019.
In addition to changes to the energy code, Chapter 34 – Existing Buildings is expanded. AIA Oregon and Code Unlimited plan to announce additional classes that will focus on the energy code and existing building requirements. Please check future editions of the Thursday@Three for more information.
See the links below for more potential code related training opportunities.
Energy Code (ASHRAE training)
AIA GoToStage (Zero Code Renewable Energy)
If you are aware of other code training classes available to the design and construction community, please let us know, and we’ll share in our Events calendar and add notices in the Thursday@Three. If you have suggestions for other code-related training subjects, please let us know.
Respectfully,
Curt Wilson, AIA
Executive VP/CEO of AIA Oregon
cwilson@aiaoregon.org