Decoding CBECC-Com

Let's Talk about the New

NRCC-PRF Form

Host: Guest Speaker:

Gina Rodda Sally Blair
Gabel Associates, LLC NORESCO

This program is funded by California utility customers under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission and in support of the California Energy Commission.
Welcome
Welcome
 Who are we?
 Our goal today
 More about you

 What We Heard From you

 Let’s Talk
 Next Steps
 Wrap Up
 Recording For Future Use
This session is being recorded.

3
 Brought to you by…

California Statewide Codes & Standards

This program is funded by California utility customers under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission and in support of the California Energy Commission.

4
Who Are We?
Host
Gina Rodda, Gabel Associates, LLC
gina@gabelenergy.com
Gina Rodda, our host for the Decoding Talk series, is a
Certified Energy Analyst (CEA), Certified Energy Plans
Examiner (CEPE) and LEED Accredited Professional (AP).
She is involved in providing residential and non-residential
energy calculations for a variety of building types throughout
California; an instructor of full day trainings; and host of
various webinars specific to Title 24 (Part 6) Building Energy
Efficiency Standards.
Gina has been in the energy modeling field since 1991,
through the course of seven California building energy code
cycles.

5
Who Are We?
Guest Speaker
Sally Blair, NORESCO

sblair@noresco.com

Sally works for NORESCO, where she has gained more than a
decade of experience in energy and sustainability consulting.

She is a core team member leading initiatives for California’s

investor-owned utilities (IOUs) for identifying gaps and
implementing recommendations to improve compliance and
enforcement of the Title 24, Part 6 energy code.

Ms. Blair has been instrumental in collaborating with building

department staff, market actors in the compliance supply
chain, the CEC and the IOU Statewide Codes and Standards
Program to create and implement an action plan for code
compliance. She is currently supporting SCE, SDG&E, SoCal
Gas and PG&E on code compliance improvement projects
under the auspices of the CPUC and in support of CEC.

6
 Our Goal Today

Review the “new” nonresidential performance “Certificate of

Compliance” report NRCC-PRF form showing compliance under
the 2013 energy standards:
 Where to look for what
 How the format of the form can help you
 Where to get help when troubleshooting
7
We Want To Hear From You
 Welcome

We Want To Hear from You

 Most common challenges

 Let’s Talk
 Next Steps
 Wrap Up
 Our?2U-1
Our Question To You

What are your top 3 concerns regarding the new NRCC-PRF form
for nonresidential performance compliance?

1. too long Verifying that the PRF that is

hardcopy was generated by
2. no enforcement CBECC-com (or other
3. no training prior to approved).
today My understanding is that the PERF
pages go on the plans. What pages
go on the plans?

Understanding when to
require which forms, TI Understanding what other
vs. new construction.
forms are required(missing)
lighting, mechanical, etc.

9
Code: CEC Documents

http://energycodeace.com/content/reference-ace-2013-tool 10
What’s Under The Hood?

http://www.energy.ca.gov/title24/2013standards/index.html 11
 Let’s Talk
 Welcome
 What We Heard from You

Let’s Talk
 Here, Now and Next
 Next Steps
 Wrap Up
Challenges (Phase of Project)

 Challenge A
A  Let’s Get Organized

 Challenge B
B  NRCC-PRF

 Challenge C
C  How to use the NRCC-PRF

 Challenge D
D  Troubleshooting

13
 Our?2U-2
Our Question To You

How do you prepare for modeling/reviewing/inspecting the NRCC-

PRF form produced by Energy Pro, IESVE and CBECC-Com?

Preparing to model a building for Develop a list of building

compliance is a significant endeavor specifications and review this list
that you cannot really prepare for and alongside the drawing set and the
reviewing and inspecting are very NRCC-PRF. Next I move to the
similar.
I have not put much model itself to review in more
thought into every aspect detail.
of the form other than my
compliance percentage to
Mostly trial and error, my be honest.
modeling hasn't changed but I By reviewing the plans and building
need more time to navigate the components
reports for error checking.

14
 Challenge A

Challenge A Let’s Get Organized

15
Challenge A: Organize Yourself
Questions to Ask Yourself

What is your role? What are my responsibilities?

 Review Features  Review Features

 Energy Consultant  Review that features are
 Architect/Designer documented correctly and
make sense
 Engineer

 Verify Features  Verify Features

 Plans Examiner  Verify that features of design
match documentation
 Building Inspector

 Install/Test Features  Install/Test Features

 Contractor  Install and test features
 ATT/HERS rater documented in field
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Use Your Time Wisely
User Oriented Form Features
 Review: Making sure what is being shown for compliance
is the intent of the design and cohesive with code.

 Verify: Reviewing design against NRCC-PRF to make sure

features modeled accurately.

 Install/Test: Pulling out features that must be installed in

building (or better) and trigger testing.

Project General Information “A”
Compliance Results “B” and “C”
Above and beyond minimum compliance “D”, “E”, “F”
Compliance Path and Documentation “G”, “H”
Envelope “I”, “J”, “K”, “L”
Mechanical  “M”, “N”, “O”, “P”
Indoor Lighting in conditioned spaces “Q”, “R”
Covered Process “S”
Unmet Load Hours “T”
Signatures 17
 What Are My Responsibilities?
Review Features
 Energy Consultant
 Architect
 Designer
 Engineer

18
 What Are My Responsibilities?
Verify Features
 Plans Examiner
 Building Inspector

19
 What Are My Responsibilities?
Install/Test Features
 Installing Contractor
 General Contractor
 ATT
 HERS Rater

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 Let’s Talk Challenge A

Check your understanding

 Let’s Talk Challenge A

Drag and drop

 Challenge B

Challenge B Navigating the NRCC-PRF-01

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 Navigating the Form

Process for form re-design

Tips for Success Overview of form layout
How things are documented

24
Re-designing the Form- Why?
• Hearing from Plans Examiners it was hard to work with the 2013
NRCC-PRF-01 form & from Energy Consultants all the prescriptive
back up was overkill

• Partnered with CEC & CBECC-Com software team to address issue

with plans examiners as target audience

• Engaged CALBO Energy Committee, various ICC Chapters and

building departments directly, as well as Energy Code Ace
Instructors

• Interviewed to understand needs, then created draft and

distributed for comments. Implemented comments as much as
possible

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Why Are the Forms Glowing?

Executive Details
Summary Sections

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Form Layout- “Executive Summary”
EXAMPLE
Envelope Executive Summary:
I. Envelope General Info
J. Fenestration Assembly Summary
K. Opaque Surface Assembly Summary
L. Roofing Product Summary

?
Similar Exec Summaries for:
• HVAC
• lighting and
<< Red Flag! • covered process

27
 Form Layout- “Detail Sections”
EXAMPLE
-ENV-DETAILS-SECTION START-
A. Opaque Surface Assembly
Details
B. Overhang Details
C. Opaque Door Summary

Similar Detail Sections for:

-HVAC-DETAILS-SECTION START-

-LTI-DETAILS-SECTION START-

Starts After Signature Block

28
Form Features- Tables B & C

29
Form Features- Table G

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Form Features- Table G Cont.

31
Form Features- Table H

32
Form Features- Compliance Credit Checks

A “Yes” here means to dig deeper under “details” ^

How should we deal with features that can’t be modeled as

designed? See Table F “Additional Remarks”

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Mechanical Documentation

34
 Challenge C

Challenge C How to Use the NRCC-PRF

35
 Components Modeled
Project General Information
Compliance Compliance Results / Above and Beyond
Compliance Path and Documentation

Fenestration
Envelope Opaque Assemblies
Roofing

Equipment (Dry and Wet)

Mechanical/Covered
Process Economizers and Fans
Controls and Distribution

Occupancy of Room
Lighting Light type, wattage and # of fixtures
Controls
36
Compliance
Project General Information “A”
Compliance Compliance Results/Above and Beyond “B-F”
Compliance Path and Documentation “G“,”H”

37
Compliance: Table “A”

38
Compliance: Table “B”

Look for “Building Complies”

39
Compliance: Table “C”

I changed fan BHP slightly

40
Compliance: Table “D, E, F”

“Additional Remarks”
opportunity to provide
clarity on
code difficulties
and establish communication.

41
Compliance: Table “G”

Where’s the DHW?

42
Compliance: Table “G”

Where is everything?
Prescriptive and mandatory forms
are NOT integrated
into NRCC-PRF

43
Compliance: Table “H”

44
Envelope
Fenestration “I”, “J”
Envelope Opaque Assemblies “K”
Roofing “L”

45
Envelope: Table “I”

46
Envelope: Table “J”

Overhangs and sidefin

information (if applicable)
can be found
after signatures.

47
Envelope: Table “K”

Assembly details
can be found
after signatures.

48
Envelope: Table “L”

49
 Mechanical/Covered Process
Equipment (Dry and Wet) “M”
Mechanical/Covered
Process Economizers and Fans “N”
Controls and Distribution “O”, “P”

50
Mechanical: Table “M”

Energy Pro changes

the name by adding
numbers to the end.
51
Mechanical: Table “N”

Ventilation details
can be found
after signatures.
52
Mechanical: Table “O”

What would it look like

if it was a system
that had controls?
53
Mechanical: Table “P”

Remember, digging
deeper for details
can be found
after signatures.

54
Covered Process: Table “S”

These are covered

process features
that can be traded
in performance model.

55
Unmet Hours: Table “T”

Currently this
is only to warn the
Mechanical
Engineer, next code
cycle it will need
to be enforced. 56
Lighting
Occupancy of Room
Lighting Light type, wattage and # of fixtures
Controls

57
Lighting: Table “Q”

Occupancy sets
LPD allowance
and PAF credits.

58
Lighting – Table “Q” Tailored

59
Lighting “R”

LED lights cannot

be found in NA8 and
must be submitted as
§130.0(c) “cutsheet”

60
Signatures
 Documentation
Signature Author
 Who filled out the
forms based on
information
provided (non
liability signature
and can be
electronic)

 Designer(s)
 Who is taking
responsibility for
the design features
(liability signature
and should be wet
signed)

61
 Challenge D

Challenge D Troubleshooting

62
 Our?2U
Our Question To You
If you could wave your magic wand, performance compliance forms
(NRCC-PRF) would include which features to make your job easier?

Better ability to generate

Everything that the previous
PERF 1 Forms included, including the Bar Graph that reports on large building
used to to reside on this sheet. It seems trite but the calcs.
Architects have grown used to
perusing that Color bar graph and they have
commented on it's absence.
I plan to read every entry/line on the
form with plans and bld file open. I
look for anything that seems in error,
odd, or not what I was expecting.

Lots of coffee, and a brief

period of weeping. Tell me which forms are
required on the plans

63
 How to Get More Information
Something Doesn’t Make Sense
Something Doesn’t Match Plans or Install
Troubleshooting
It Feels Like Something’s Missing
I Can’t Find a Straight Answer
It is Still Not Working

64
 Something Doesn’t Make Sense

Review Verify Inspect/Install

Look at prescriptive Check “remarks” or Check “remarks” or
requirements for “details” on NRCC- “details” on NRCC-
envelope and PRF-01 form PRF-01 form
lighting
Make a plan check Ask for installer to
Look at ACM for comment explain
mechanical
Call the permit Provide a field
CBECC-Com beta applicant correction notice
version has report
that lists baseline

65
 Something Doesn’t Match Plans or Install

Photo Credit: Environmental Protection Agency

 Check “remarks” on NRCC-PRF-01-E form

 Is it “better” than what is modeled?
 Make a plan check comment or field correction notice
 Request report be revised to include altered features to verify compliance

66
 I Feel Like Something’s Missing

 Check Tables G & H on NRCC-PRF-01 form

 Use Energy Code Ace Trigger Sheets and/or
Reference Ace
67
 I Can’t Find a Straight Answer

 Use Energy Code Ace Fact Sheets & CEC Blueprints

 Call/email CEC hotline: Title24@energy.ca.gov
68
It Is Still Not Working
Beta Versions of CBECC-Com
 Beta version fixes form size

 Added report on “baseline”

features

 And many other great things 

Seek Out Additional Training

 Part 1 and 2 of “Decoding Talk–CBECC-Com”

 Standard Essentials “traditional” and “virtual”

 Self study for lighting

69
 Wrap up

Wrap Up
 Welcome
 What We Heard from You
 Let’s Talk
 Next Steps

Wrap Up
 Thank you!
 Questions?
 CEUs
A new website developed by the Statewide Codes & Standards Program
to help you meet the requirements of Title 24, Part 6
We offer FREE

A variety of tools to Classroom and online Fact Sheets, Trigger

help you identify the trainings on Title 24, Sheets, Checklists,
forms, installation Part 6. and FAQs to help
techniques, and you understand when
building energy Title 24, Part 6 is
standards relevant to “triggered” and how
building projects in to correctly comply
California when it is

visit us at
www.EnergyCodeAce.com
 Thank you!

Contact Role Email Phone

Gina Rodda Presenter gina@gabelenergy.com (510) 428-0803
ext 204

Sally Blair Co-Presenter sblair@noresco.com (303) 459-7420

Kathryn Fortin eLearning Technology & kfortin@fortech.net (510) 825-3508

Design Consultant

Energy Code Ace Webinar Registration decoding.request@energycodeace.com

CEC Hotline Energy Standards Hotline title24@energy.ca.gov (800) 772-3300

Jill Marver PG&E Course Manager JKZ1@pge.com (925) 415-6844

                 NR
RCC‐P
PRF‐01
1‐E  

“Install/Test”” Key to
o 2013 N
NRCC‐P
PRF Form
m (Contractoor/ATT/HERS) 
Project Geeneral Inform
mation “A”  
 L
Location   Do yyou have the riight building?
Compliancce Results “BB” and “C”  
Above and d beyond minimum com mpliance “D””, “E”, “F” 
 H HERS measure es are listed h
here 
Compliancce Path and Documenta ation “G”, “H”” 
 PProvide all forrms applicable (Performannce / Prescripttive / Mandattory) 
Envelo ditioned); Ind oor Lighting ((unconditioneed); Outdoor Lighting; Sign
ope; Mechanical; Indoor LLighting (cond n 
Lighting; Plumbingg (DHW and So olar Hot Water); Commisssioning; Electrrical; Coveredd Process 
N
NRCI:  Installatiion certificatess provided by innstalling contra
actors 
N
NRCA: Acceptan nce certificatess provided by A
ATT or contractor (as requireed) 
N
NRCV:  HERS fo orms 
Envelope “I”, “J”, “K”, “LL” (as modeleed “or better””) 
 N NRCI‐ENV‐01‐‐E For all opaq que and fenestration featuures.  To be pprovide by insstalling or gen
neral contracttor 
 N NRCA‐ENV‐02 2‐E For all NFR RC rated fene
estration.  To be provide byy installing orr general conttractor 
Mechanical  “M”, “N”, ““O”, “P” (as m
modeled “or better”) 
 N NRCI‐MCH/PLLB/STH‐##‐E FFor all mechanical featuress.  To be provvide by installing or generaal contractor
 N NRCA‐MCH‐## #‐A For mech hanical features triggering acceptance ttesting by app propriate insttalling contracctor (or ATT 
w
when approve ed by CEC) 
 N
NRCA‐MCH/P LB‐##‐H For m mechanical fe eatures trigge ering HERS ratter.  MUST BEE REGISTERED D WITH HERS PROVIDER 
Indoor Ligghting in con
nditioned sp paces “Q”, “R”” (as modeledd “or better”)) 
 N NRCI‐LTI‐##‐E For all lightin
ng and contro ol features.  TTo be provide  by installing or general co
ontractor 
 N
NRCA‐LTI‐##‐AA For control  features trigg
ger acceptan ce testing by  ATT.  MUST BBE REGISTERE ED WITH ATTT PROVIDER 
Lighting in
n Unconditiooned Spacess / Outdoor Lighting / Siign Lighting  
 N NRCI‐LTI/LTO//LTS‐##‐E Forr all lighting and control features.  To bee provide by iinstalling or ggeneral contractor 
 N NRCA‐LTI/LTO
O‐##‐A For con ntrol featuress trigger acce
eptance testinng by ATT.  MUST BE REGISSTERED WITH H ATT PROVID
DER 
Electrical 
 N NRCI‐ELC‐01‐EE For all electrical featuress.  To be provide by installiing or generaal contractor 
Covered P Process  
 N NRCI‐PRC‐##‐E For all cove ered process ffeatures.  To be provide byy installing orr general conttractor  
Refrig
gerated Ware ehouse 
 N
NRCA‐PRC‐##‐F For all coveered process features.  To be provide bby installing co
ontractor  
Comp pressed Air; Kiitchen Exhausst; Garage Exhaust; Refrigeerated Warehhouse 
 
                 NR
RCC‐P
PRF‐01
1‐E  

““Review
w” Key for 201
13 NRCC
C‐PRF Fo
orm (Enerrgy Consultantt/Architect/Enggineer) 
P
Project Geneeral Informa ation “A” (whaat does it definne) 
 Loca
ation (zip cod
de and climate  Baselin ne envelope annd some HVAC ffeatures 
zone) 
 Con
nditioned flooor area  Baselin
ne lighting LPDD allowances; H HVAC system tyype; Cx type
 Uncconditioned floor area  Baselin
ne outdoor LPD D allowances
 Nummber of Storiees  Sets ba
aseline HVAC eequipment typee
 Nummber of dwelling units  baselin
ne DHW budgeets
 Buillding Orientattion  Baselin
ne fenestrationn WWR allowannces; Cooling lloads based on n heat 
gain off sun 
C
Compliance Results “B” aand “C” (what features are heelping or hurti ng the compliaance TDV marggin) 
 Com mpliance total  Compliiance to Title 224 Part 6 % (buuilding departm
ment submittal)
l)
 Totaal  All energy using featuures (NOT FOR R COMPLIANCEE) % 
A
Above and b
beyond minimum compliance “D”, “EE”, “F” 
 Verify that all of the features are  Use thee “remarks” too help the buildding departmennt and contracctors 
plicable 
app understand what is bbeing modeled if alterative syystems and feaatures 
need too be modeled ddue to softwarre or code limittations. 
CCompliance Path and Do ocumentatio on “G”, “H” 
 Verify that scopee of work shown  NRCI:  IInstallation cerrtificates proviided by installing contractorss
accu
urately  NRCA: Acceptance ceertificates provvided by ATT orr contractor (ass 
requireed) 
EEnvelope “I”,, “J”, “K”, “L” –– Primary featuures for compliance (further ddetails are doccumented afterr the signaturees, if 
aapplicable) 
 Verify fenestratioon per orienttation (WWR)) and skylight s; fenestratio on type; overh hangs and sid defins 
 Verify opaque asssemblies (concentrate on frame type aand insulation n features);  
cool roof properties for roof ((if applicable
M
Mechanical  “M”, “N”, “O”, “P” ‐ Primaryy features for compliance (furrther details arre documentedd after the signnatures, 
iff applicable) 
 Equuipment type,, heating and cooling output, minimum m efficiency (ddry – air systems / wet – hyydronic 
systtems); fan CFM and BHP (sso important)); economizerrs; controls; ssolar hot wateer (if applicab ble) 
Indoor Lighting in condittioned spaces “Q”, “R” (unconditioned llighting cannott be included in performancee 
ccalculation) Primary features for compliance (further detaails are docum ented after thee signatures, iff applicable) 
 Occcupancy of spaces 
 Lighhting type, nuumber of fixtuures, wattage associated w with fixture 
C
Covered Process “S” (feattures that may be modeled via the perform
mance method)) 
 Equuipment type,, features andd controls 
U
Unmet Load Hours “T” 
 Thiss is not a codee requiremennt at this timee, but will be ffor the 2016 code.  PAY ATTTENTION TO
O THESE 
NOW
W. 
SSignatures 
 Signn (this is the ##1 plan checkk comment) 
 
        NRC
CC‐PRFF‐01 –E 
–  
 

“Veerify” K
Key to 2
2013 NR
RCC‐PRFF Form (Plans Examinner / Building Inspector) 
Projeect General Information
n “A” (what dooes it define) 
 PE Location  
L Baselline envelope aand some HVACC features 
 PE Conditioned flo
C oor area  Baselline lighting LPPD allowances; HVAC system type; Cx type
 PE Unconditioned
U d floor area  Baselline outdoor LPPD allowances
 PE Number of Sto
N ries  Sets bbaseline HVAC  equipment typpe
 PE Number of dwe
N elling units  Baselline DHW budggets
 PE Building Orient
B tation  Baselline fenestratioon WWR allow wances; Cooling g loads based oon heat gain off 
sun 
 BI Has anything c
H hanged from p permit  Chang ges to any of thhe features listted above WILL change comp pliance and 
review? 
r shoulld be rerun andd verified by plaan check. 
Commpliance Results “B” and ““C” (what featuures are helpinng or hurting thhe compliance TDV margin) 
 PE Compliance tot
C tal  Comp pliance to Title  24 Part 6 % (bbuilding departtment submittaal.  Spend some e 
extra time on the 1sst and 7th placeed features (besst and worst)
 PE Total 
T All en
nergy using feaatures (NOT FO OR COMPLIANC CE) % 
Abovve and beyo ond minimum m compliance “D”, “E”, “FF” 
 PE These are listed
T d as features that are providing “extra creddit”; additionall verification and understand d what is being 
modeled if alte
m erative systemss and features need to be moodeled due to software or co ode limitationss. 
 BI These features
T s are typically ffield verified.  P
Please coordin ate with generral contractor 
Commpliance Path h and Docum mentation “G”, “H” 
 NRCC:  List of  f
N features are included in this ccompliance paackage (spate  N NRCC forms mmay be required d by others for 
  complete subm
c mittal) 
 BI NRCI:  Installat
N tion certificatess provided by installing contrractors 
  NRCA: Accepta
N ance certificatees provided by A ATT or contracctor (as requireed) 
Enveelope “I”, “J”, “K”, “L” – Primmary features ffor compliance e (further detaiils are documeented after thee signatures, if applicable) 
 PE Verify fenestra
V tion per orienttation (WWR) and skylights;  fenestration tyype; overhangs and sidefins
 PE Verify opaque 
V assemblies (cooncentrate on fframe type andd insulation features);  
cool roof prope
c erties for roof (if applicable)
 BI Review NRCI &
R & NRCA forms.  Has fenestratiion and insulattion been provvided as docum mented? 
Mechanical  “M”, “N”, “O”, “P”” ‐ Primary feattures for comppliance (furtherr details are doocumented after the signaturres, if 
appliccable).  DHW m
may not be included in perforrmance and co ould be docum ented via presscriptive metho od 
 PE Equipment typ
E pe, heating andd cooling outpu ut, minimum effficiency (dry –– air systems / wet – hydroniic systems); fann 
CFM and BHP (
C (so important);; economizers;; controls; solaar hot water (iff applicable) 
 BI Review NRCI &
R & NRCA forms.  Has equipmen nt been tested  per NRCA form ms?
Indooor Lighting in condition ned spaces “Q Q”, “R” (uncon nditioned lightiing cannot be included in performance calcculation) 
Primaary features for compliance (further detailss are documentted after the s ignatures, if ap pplicable) 
 PE Occupancy of s
O spaces (sets LP
PD budgets and d control allow
wances)
 PE Lighting type, n
L number of fixtu ures, wattage aassociated wit h fixture; conttrols (mandatory and PAF)
 BI Review NRCI &
R & NRCA forms.  Have controlss been tested bby ATT with NR RCA forms? 
Coveered Processs “S” (features that may be m modeled via the performancee method) 
 PE Equipment typ
E pe, features and d controls
 BI Review NRCI &
R & NRCA forms.  Has equipmen nt been tested  per NRCA form ms?
Unmmet Load Hou urs “T” 
 PE This is not a co
T de requiremen nt at this time, but will be forr the 2016 cod de.  
Signaatures 
 PE Signatures prov
S vided