Bill Text: PA SB481 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Adding provisions relating to residential buildings with log walls.

Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Republican 11-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-02-10 - Referred to LABOR AND INDUSTRY [SB481 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2011-SB481-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 473
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 481 Session of2011
INTRODUCED BY BAKER, ALLOWAY, ARGALL, BRUBAKER, FOLMER, FONTANA, GORDNER, PILEGGI, RAFFERTY AND ROBBINS, FEBRUARY 10, 2011
REFERRED TO LABOR AND INDUSTRY, FEBRUARY 10, 2011
AN ACT
Amending the act of November 10, 1999 (P.L.491, No.45), entitled
"An act establishing a uniform construction code; imposing
powers and duties on municipalities and the Department of
Labor and Industry; providing for enforcement; imposing
penalties; and making repeals," adding provisions relating to
residential buildings with log walls.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 901 of the act of November 10, 1999
(P.L.491, No.45), known as the Pennsylvania Construction Code
Act, is amended by adding a subsection to read:
Section 901. Exemptions.
* * *
(f) Log walls.--Log walls with a minimum average wall
thickness of five inches or greater which comply with the
International Code Council Standard on the Design and
Construction of Log Structures, ICC 400-2007, or other successor
standard which the department may specify by regulation, shall
be permitted in residential buildings if:
(1) the area weighted average U-factor for fenestration
products in the log walls is a maximum of 0.31; and
(2) (i) the building heating equipment meets or exceeds
the following Department of Energy ratings:
(A) Gas furnace - 90 annual fuel utilization
efficiency (AFUE).
(B) Oil furnace - 85 annual fuel utilization
efficiency (AFUE).
(C) Boilers - 85 annual fuel utilization
efficiency (AFUE).
(D) Air source heat pumps - 8.2 heating seasonal
performance factor (HSPF) split systems.
(E) For water-to-air geothermal heat pumps:
(I) Closed loop water-to-air, an energy
efficiency rating of 14.1 and coefficient of
performance of 3.3.
(II) Open loop water-to-air, an energy
efficiency rating of 16.2 and coefficient of
performance of 3.6.
(F) For water-to-water geothermal heat pumps:
(I) Closed loop water-to-water, an energy
efficiency rating of 15.1 and coefficient of
performance of 3.0.
(II) Open loop water-to-water, an energy
efficiency rating of 19.1 and coefficient of
performance of 3.4.
(G) For direct geothermal exchange, an energy
efficiency rating of 15.0 and coefficient of
performance of 3.5;
or
(ii) the building heating equipment is qualified
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under the Energy Star program jointly operated by the
Department of Energy and the United States Environmental
Protection Agency as provided for in 10 CFR Pt. 430
(relating to energy conservation program for consumer
products); and
(iii) all energy efficiency requirements of this act
applicable to components other than log walls are met.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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