NFPA (Quincy, MA) and ASHRAE have announced an agreement to partner on an energy code. The code will incorporate ASHRAE's widely used energy standards, Standard 90.1 and Standard 90.2, and become part of a full set of comprehensive codes developed by NFPA and its partners.

"An energy code, based on the widely used ASHRAE standards, will be an important element of this full set of codes," said George D. Miller, president of NFPA. "As a result of this agreement, state and local governments that adopt our codes set will have in place the latest advances in heating, refrigeration, cooling, and lighting design, resulting in significant energy savings."

The resulting Energy Code will incorporate the 2001 editions of the 90.1 and 90.2, and reflect any updates or addenda to those standards. The code will apply to all buildings, including low-rise residential structures.

The full codes set from NFPA and its partners will be developed through a process accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), as are all NFPA codes and standards. ANSI is a private, non-profit organization that administers and coordinates the U.S. voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system.

"ASHRAE standards have been accredited by ANSI for many years, and we are glad to be involved in a full codes set developed through ANSI-accredited processes," said Frank M. Coda, executive vice president, ASHRAE. "We look forward to a strong, long-standing relationship with NFPA."

The 200 technical committees responsible for developing and updating all NFPA codes and standards include 6,000 volunteers, representing enforcing authorities, installation and maintenance, labor, research and testing, insurance, special experts, consumers, and other users. All NFPA members have the opportunity to vote before a document is published. Virtually every building, process, service, design, and installation in society today is affected by NFPA's codes and standards.

In addition to the Energy Code, the full set of codes being developed by NFPA and its other partners (International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, Western Fire Chiefs Association) will include: NFPA 70, National Electrical Code; NFPA 101, Life Safety Code; NFPA 5000, Building Code; and NFPA 1, Uniform Fire Code - a combination of the two most widely adopted fire codes in the United States. The codes set will also include the Uniform Plumbing Code and the Uniform Mechanical Code.