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Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about Title 24

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Frequently Asked Questions about LEED

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  • What is LEED?
    LEED is the Green Building Rating System developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.
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  • What is the purpose of LEED?
    LEED was developed to encourage building design and construction practices to decrease energy consumption and reduce the impact of buildings on the environment and occupants.
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  • How does LEED work?
    LEED utilizes a point based system. Points are awarded for incorporating design features and building products that meet high energy and environmental standards. The points are divided among five categories. A building can become LEED certified once a minimum level of points are obtained. Roofing systems and materials can help gain points in three of those categories: Sustainable Site; Energy and Atmosphere; and Materials and Resources.
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  • What are the LEED requirements for roofing?
    LEED requires a highly reflective, ENERGY STAR® compliant (reflectivity: 0.65 initial and 0.50 after three years) and emissivity (minimum 0.90 according to ASTM E 408). Other roofing products that enhance a building's energy performance, such as roof insulation, can also meet the LEED requirements.
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  • What is solar reflectivity and why is it important?
    Solar reflectivity (or reflectance) is the fraction of the solar energy that is reflected by a surface (i.e., roofing membrane) back to the sky. White membranes have the highest solar reflectivity, while black have the lowest. It's important because, when the sun's rays are reflected, less heat is transferred into the building, requiring less energy for cooling.
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  • What is emissivity and why is it important?
    Infrared emissivity (or emittance) is a measure of the ability of a surface to shed some of its heat (in the form of infrared radiation) away from the surface (i.e., roofing membrane). High infrared emissivity helps keep surfaces cool. Metallic surfaces have a low infrared emissivity. This property can make a significant difference in controlling the "urban heat island effect."
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  • What is the "urban heat island effect”?
    Heat islands occur where many buildings and paved surfaces in close proximity are designed with dark materials that absorb heat from the sun. Studies have shown an urban area can become 2º to 8ºF warmer than the surrounding countryside.
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  • What city, county, state or federal agencies are requiring LEED certification?
    Any building project can submit for LEED certification. An increasing number of cities, counties and states across the nation are adopting LEED certification for certain projects. In addition, branches of the federal government (including the Department of Defense, General Services and the EPA) are also encouraging LEED certification for their projects. Please visit www.usgbc.org for the most current information.
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  • What types of building projects can apply for LEED certification?
    LEED has standards for new commercial construction, major renovation projects, existing buildings, commercial interiors, core and shell projects, homes and neighborhood developments. LEED has programs designed specifically for new construction (NC) and existing buildings (EB).
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  • What qualifies as "innovative design"?
    Designs that demonstrate exceptional environmental or energy performance above the current LEED requirements, or identify a new area for measure can be awarded up to 4 LEED points. All innovation design credits must undergo a review process.
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  • What roofing products already qualify for LEED standards?
    JM's UltraGard® white single ply systems, including PVC and TPO roofing membranes, as well as BUR and modified bituminous systems with JM's white TopGard® coatings, can meet the standards if the coating is installed to a minimum thickness of 20 mils (0.02”).
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  • Are LEED requirements the same as Title 24, ENERGY STAR®, or SPiRiT?
    No. LEED and SPiRiT (Sustainable Project Rating Tool) requirements are similar. The ENERGY STAR® standard for reflectivity (0.65) is recognized by LEED. However, LEED also has an emissivity requirement (0.90). ENERGY STAR® currently has no requirement for emissivity. Title 24 is legislation specific to the state of California. California requires non-residential buildings to meet a pre-defined energy budget. Buildings can get credit in meeting that budget by having roofing products that meet 0.70 reflectivity and 0.75 emissivity.
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  • What energy savings may be achieved with compliance to LEED?
    “Cool” roof products can decrease the amount of heat transferred into a building and reduce peak cooling demand, resulting in lower air conditioning bills. As always, actual savings will depend on the whole building design (i.e., windows, insulation, etc.).
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  • Are there any other benefits to applying for LEED certification?
    Not only do you receive recognition for quality buildings and environmental stewardship, but you gain the ability to compete in a growing market among corporations, universities and government agencies that have discovered green buildings provide better work environments and cost less to operate. You gain further marketing exposure through the web site of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the organization that developed the LEED system and administers the certification program. In addition, you can qualify for state and local government incentives in states where they are offered.
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  • What is the benefit of Platinum versus the basic LEED certified building?
    Higher level certifications require additional points resulting in the incorporation of more energy efficient and environmentally sound designs. The higher the level, the more energy efficient the building, resulting in higher energy savings over the life of the building.
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Frequently Asked Questions about ENERGY STAR®

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  • What is ENERGY STAR®?
    The Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR® program, created in 1992, is a voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products, including roofing products.
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  • What does the ENERGY STAR® label signify?
    Products bearing the ENERGY STAR® label are more energy efficient than other similar products, thereby saving energy and money.
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  • What does it take for a roofing product to earn the ENERGY STAR® label?
    To earn the ENERGY STAR® label, roofing products must be highly efficient at reflecting the sun’s rays – without compromising product quality and performance. By reflecting the sun’s rays, they can keep surface temperatures lower, decrease the amount of heat transferred into a building and reduce energy demand for cooling. The criteria for roofing products are as follows:
    • Low slope roofs must have an initial reflectivity
      >= 0.65. After three years, the reflectivity must be
      >= 0.50.
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  • What is solar reflectivity?
    Solar reflectivity (or reflectance) is the fraction of the solar energy that is reflected by a surface (i.e., roofing membrane) back to the sky. White membranes have the highest solar reflectivity, black have the lowest.
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  • What types of roofing products will carry the ENERGY STAR® label?
    ENERGY STAR® roof specifications are not restricted to any particular type of roof product. The most common roofing products currently rated for ENERGY STAR® include: metal, single ply membranes and roof coatings. JM offers UltraGard® white, single ply membranes and TopGard® 4000 and TopGard® 5000 roof coatings with the ENERGY STAR® label.
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  • What about roof insulation? Does it qualify for the ENERGY STAR® label?
    ENERGY STAR® does not include a specification for roof insulation. However, roof insulation plays an important role in reducing building energy consumption for heating and cooling. The higher the R-value, the less heat or conditioned air is lost from the building envelope.
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  • Why did the EPA create the ENERGY STAR® program?
    Ninety percent of the energy in the United States is generated by burning fossil fuels, which creates smog, acid rain and global climate change. By reducing the amount of energy needed to cool buildings, roofing products bearing the ENERGY STAR® label help reduce these effects on the environment. Additionally, they can help reduce the “urban heat island effect.” Heat islands occur where many buildings and paved surfaces in close proximity are designed with dark materials that absorb heat from the sun. This can cause cities to actually become 2° to 8°F warmer than the surrounding countryside.
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  • What are some other benefits of roofing products with the ENERGY STAR® label?
    Save money and energy. According to the EPA, about $40 billion is spent annually in the U.S. to air condition buildings – one-sixth of all electricity generated in a year. ENERGY STAR® roofing products reduce the amount of air conditioning needed and can reduce energy bills.
    • Increase roof product life. Roofing products that qualify for ENERGY STAR® maintain a more constant temperature and help prevent thermal shock that occurs when cool rain hits a hot roof. With such sudden temperature changes, roofing materials can expand and contract, causing stress and degradation of the roof.
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  • How much can businesses save by installing ENERGY STAR® required roofing products?
    Savings will depend on the geographic location and climate. Buildings located in hot, sunny climates will realize the greatest reduction in cooling cost. Savings also depend on existing insulation levels in the building, the type of roof it replaces, the type of roof installed, and how well it is kept clean and maintained.
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  • Can I expect the same level of savings over the entire lifetime of my roof?
    Due to normal wear and tear, some degradation of roof reflectivity can be expected, particularly within the first few years. Low-slope roofs may accumulate more dirt and debris because they’re not as easily washed by rain. Good maintenance procedures can minimize degradation and maximize energy savings.
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  • How do products with the ENERGY STAR® label compare in terms of durability?
    ENERGY STAR® understands that water tightness, durability and longevity of a roof are the primary concerns of building owners. Participating manufacturers must back their roof products with warranties that are comparable to the other roof products.
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  • How do I find roof products that have qualified for ENERGY STAR®?
    The ENERGY STAR® label will appear on the packaging and in the advertising of all products that have qualified. If you are installing a new roof or replacing an old one on a commercial building, be sure to ask your roofing contractor or manufacturer about ENERGY STAR®.
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Frequently Asked Questions about SPiRiT

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  • What is SPiRiT?
    SPiRiT is the Sustainable Project Rating Tool developed by the U.S. Department of Defense and derived from the USGBC’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program. Like the USGBC’s LEED program, SPiRiT awards points for building design features and products that are environmentally preferable.
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  • What is the purpose of SPiRiT?
    The rating system was developed to encourage building design and construction practices that will decrease energy consumption and reduce the negative impact of buildings on the environment and occupants.
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  • How does SPiRiT work?
    The SPiRiT system grants points for incorporating design features and building products that meet high standards for energy and environmental responsibility. Points toward SPiRiT compliance may be earned in five key categories. Roofing systems and materials can help gain points in three of those categories: Sustainable Site; Energy and Atmosphere; and Materials and Resources.
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  • What are the SPiRiT requirements?
    SPiRiT contains standards and requirements for every component of the building envelope. For roofing in particular, in order to earn SPiRiT points, the roof must meet ENERGY STAR® standards for reflectivity (0.65 for initial reflectivity and 0.50 for reflectivity after thee years) and it must have an emissivity rating of 0.90 or better. Other roofing products that enhance a building’s energy performance, like roof insulation, can also help meet SPiRiT requirements.
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  • What is solar reflectivity and why is it important?
    Solar reflectivity (or reflectance) is the fraction of the solar energy that is reflected by the surface (i.e., roofing membrane) back to the sky. White membranes have the highest solar reflectivity, while black have the lowest. It’s important because, when the sun’s rays are reflected, less heat is transmitted into the building, and less energy is required for cooling.
    « Go Back
  • What is emissivity and why is it important?
    Infrared emissivity (or emittance) is a measure of the ability of a surface to shed some of its heat (in the form of infrared radiation) away from the surface (i.e., roofing membrane). High infrared emissivity helps keep surfaces cool. Metallic surfaces have a low infrared emissivity. This property can make a significant difference in controlling the “urban heat island effect.”
    « Go Back
  • What is the “urban heat island effect”?
    Heat islands occur where many buildings and paved surfaces in close proximity are designed with dark materials that absorb heat from the sun. This can cause cities to actually become 2o to 8oF warmer than the surrounding countryside.
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  • Who will implement and drive SPiRiT?
    • The Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management (ACSIM) has mandated Sustainable Design and Development (SDD) for all new Army facilities.
    • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers districts will implement SDD in their projects.
    • Installations will program and budget for SDD on Department of Defense form 1931.
    • Architects, engineers and contractors will implement SDD using SPiRiT.
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  • What products already meet the SPiRiT standards?
    JM’s UltraGard® white single ply systems, including PVC and TPO roofing membranes, as well as bituminous BUR systems with JM’s white TopGard® coatings, can meet the standards if the coating is installed to a minimum thickness of 20 mils (0.02”).
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  • Are SPiRiT requirements the same as Title 24, LEED or ENERGY STAR®?
    SPiRiT and LEED requirements are essentially the same. The ENERGY STAR® standard for reflectivity is the standard used for SPiRiT. But SPiRiT also has an emissivity requirement. ENERGY STAR® has no standard for emissivity.
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  • How much can businesses save by installing SPiRiT required roofing products?
    Savings will depend on the geographic location and climate. Buildings located in hot, sunny climates will realize the greatest reduction in cooling cost. Savings also depend on existing insulation levels in the building, the type of roof it replaces, the type of roof installed, and how well it is kept clean and maintained.
    « Go Back
  • What energy savings may be achieved with compliance to SPiRiT?
    “Cool” roof products can decrease the amount of heat transferred into a building and reduce peak cooling demand, resulting in lower air conditioning bills. As always, actual savings will depend on the whole building design (i.e., windows, insulation, etc.).
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Glossary of Terms

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  • Addition
    Any change to a building that increases conditioned floor area and conditioned volume. See also, “Newly Conditioned Space”.
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  • Albedo
    Albedo is another word for reflectivity. A roofing product that has high reflectivity has high albedo.
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  • Alteration
    Any change to a building’s water heating system, space conditioning system, lighting system, or envelope that is not an addition. See also, “Addition”
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  • Alternative Calculation Method (ACM)
    Different approved techniques for calculating a building’s energy performance including: The California Energy Commission’s Public Domain Computer Programs, one of the Commission’s Simplified Calculation Methods, or any other calculation method approved by the Commission.
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  • APP (Atactic Polypropylene)
    A group of high molecular weight polymers formed by the polymerization of propylene. APP is used as a modifier to asphalt flux to improve performance qualities of the asphalt.
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  • ASHRAE
    The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers.
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  • ASTM
    The American Society for Testing and Materials.
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  • Building Envelope
    The exterior and demising partitions of a building that enclose the conditioned space; sometimes called just “Envelope”.
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  • Btu
    British thermal unit. The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of liquid water by one degree on the Fahrenheit scale.
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  • BUR (Built-Up Roofing)
    A roof membrane consisting of layers of bitumen, which serves as the waterproofing component, with plies of reinforcement fabric installed between each layer. The reinforcement material can consist of bitumen-saturated felt, coated felt, polyester felt or other fabrics. A surfacing is generally applied and can be asphalt, aggregate, emulsion or a granule-surfaced cap sheet.
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  • CABEC
    The California Association of Building Energy Consultants.
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  • CEC
    The California Energy Commission.
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  • Climate Zones
    The 16 geographic areas of California for which the CEC has established typical weather data, prescriptive packages and energy budgets. Climate zone boundary descriptions are in the document, “California Climate Zone Descriptions”, July, 1995.
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  • Coatings
    Products, such as water-based acrylic, soy, etc., that can be field applied with a brush, roller or spray equipment, over a bituminous roofing system for purposes of weatherproofing and/or increasing reflectivity and emissivity.
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  • Condition
    To equip (as a building) with an apparatus for washing air and controlling its humidity and temperature.
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  • Conditioned Floor Area (CFA)
    The floor area (in square feet) of enclosed conditioned space on all floors of a building, as measured at the floor level of the exterior surfaces of exterior walls enclosing the conditioned space.
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  • Conditioned Space
    Space in a building that is directly conditioned, indirectly conditioned, or semi-conditioned.
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  • Conditioned Volume
    The total volume (in cubic feet) of the conditioned space within a building.
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  • Cool Roofs
    A roof with reflective and emissive properties that help improve the energy efficiency of the building and/or mitigate the “urban heat island effect”.
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  • CRRC
    The Cool Roof Rating Council is the sole supervising entity for the standards and testing of Title 24 compliant roofing products, and is responsible for administering the certification program relating to reflectivity and emissivity ratings for those roofing products.
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  • Design Heat Gain Rate
    The total calculated heat gain through the building envelope under design conditions.
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  • Design Heat Loss Rate
    The total calculated heat loss through the building envelope under design conditions.
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  • Directly Conditioned Space
    An enclosed space that is provided with wood heating, mechanical heating that has a capacity exceeding 10 Btu/(hr•ft2), or mechanical cooling that has a capacity exceeding 5 Btu/(hr•ft2).
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  • Emissivity
    Infrared emissivity (or emittance) is a measure of the ability of a surface to shed some of its heat (in the form of infrared radiation) away from the surface (i.e., roofing membrane). High infrared emissivity helps keep surfaces cool. Metallic surfaces have a low infrared emissivity.
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  • Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER)
    The ratio of net cooling capacity (in Btu/hr) to total rate of electrical energy (in watts), of a cooling system under designated operating conditions, as determined using the applicable test method in the California Appliance Efficiency Regulations.
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  • Energy Factor (EF)
    The ratio of energy output to energy consumption of a water heater, expressed in equivalent units, under designated operating conditions over a 24-hour use cycle, as determined using the applicable test method in the California Appliance Efficiency Regulations.
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  • ENERGY STAR
    A voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products, including roofing products, developed by the Environmental Protection Agency.
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  • EPDM (Ethylene-propylene-diene monomer)
    Commonly known as a thermoplastic rubber membrane with high tear strength that can be cross-linked by both peroxides and sulfur, EPDM falls into the category of single ply roofing.
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  • Gross Exterior Roof Area
    The sum of the skylight area and the exterior roof/ceiling area.
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  • Heat Flux
    The amount of energy flowing through any surface of one square meter per second.
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  • Infiltration
    Uncontrolled inward air leakage from outside a building, or unconditioned space, including leakage through cracks and holes, around windows and doors, and through any other exterior or demising partition, or pipe or duct penetration.
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  • LEED
    Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) green building rating system. The objective of LEED is to decrease the energy consumption and environmental impact of buildings.
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  • Low-e Coatings
    Low emissivity metallic coatings for roofs.
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  • Newly Conditioned Space
    Any space being converted to directly conditioned or indirectly conditioned space. Newly conditioned space must comply with the requirements for an “Addition” in the California Title 24 regulations.
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  • Non-Residential Building
    A building is considered non-residential when it has a low-sloped roof (slope less than 2:12), and is mechanically air-conditioned or heated. Some examples of non-residential buildings include: office buildings, grocery stores, restaurants, assembly/ conference areas, commercial/industrial warehouses, schools, churches, theaters, hotels and motels. Requirements for high-rise residential buildings and hotels/motels are included in the non-residential sections of Part 6.
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  • Non-Residential Manual
    The manual developed by the California Energy Commission, under Section 25402.1(c) of the Public Resources Code, to aid designers, builders and contractors in meeting the energy efficiency requirements for non-residential, high-rise residential, and hotel/motel buildings.
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  • PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
    A thermoplastic polymer that can be compounded into flexible and rigid forms through the use of plasticizers, stabilizers, fillers, and other modifiers; rigid forms are used in pipes; flexible forms are used in the manufacture of sheeting and roof membrane materials. PVC falls into the category of single ply roofing.
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  • Reflectivity
    Solar reflectivity (or reflectance) is the fraction of the solar energy that is reflected by the surface (i.e., roofing membrane) back to the sky. White membranes have the highest solar reflectivity, while black have the lowest.
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  • SBS (Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene)
    A group of high molecular weight polymers. SBS is used as a modifier to asphalt flux to improve performance qualities of the asphalt.
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  • Semi-Conditioned Space
    An enclosed non-residential space that is provided with wood heating, cooling by direct or indirect evaporation of water, mechanical heating that has a capacity of 10 Btu/(hr•ft2) or less, mechanical cooling that has a capacity of 5 Btu/(hr•ft2) or less, or is maintained for a process environment as set forth in the definition of “Directly Conditioned Space”.
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  • Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)
    The ratio of the solar heat gain entering the space through the window area to the incident solar radiation. Solar heat gain includes directly transmitted solar heat and absorbed solar radiation, which is then reradiated, conducted, or convected into the space.
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  • SPiRiT
    Sustainable Project Rating Tool is the U.S. Department of Defense’s green building rating system that is derived from the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED program. It is designed to award points for building design features and products that are environmentally preferable.
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  • Title 24
    The California Regulations that set energy efficiency design and construction standards for residential and non-residential buildings in California.
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  • TPO (Thermoplastic Olefin)
    A synthetic that becomes soft and pliable when heated, without a change in its intrinsic properties. TPO falls into the category of single ply roofing.
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  • Urban Heat Island Effect
    Building and pavement construction materials and high density structures that cause cities to actually become 2º to 8ºF warmer than the surrounding countryside.
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  • U-Value
    The overall coefficient of thermal transmittance of a construction assembly, in Btu/(hr•ft2•ºF), including air film resistance at both surfaces.
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