Energy codes, first develped by the various states and now an ICC energy code have been developing and are not yet necessarily consistent with each other nor with the provisions of the structural and fire safety code. Generally energy codes seek to seal buildings to prevent air loss and sometimes that conflicts, for example, with the requitremnt to have a 2" air space around masonry chimneys. A wholistic approach toward ventilation and balancing the ventilation system for the whole house would go a long way to improve these energy codes.

Several proposals to required gasketed fireplace doors engendered rare cooperation between the masonry industry and the hearth products industry that cooperated to defeat the gasketed door proposals, pointing out that gasketed fireplace doors would be a fire hazard and that "tight-fitting" dampers would be much better. See the testimony. There are still loose ends. For example dampers are required to be removed or blocked open in gas logs are installed in a fireplace.

Green building standards and codes such as LEED and the California and ICC Green Building Codes are also not entirely consistent with the rest of the ICC code. The ICC Green Building Code development hearings are scheduled in the next few months. Some "green" issues that the masonry industry needs to developed include: Durability of Masonry Chimneys Thermal Mass

Page objectives: 1) energy savings as well as the "green" building benefits of building with masonry. 2) work to make the "green" and energy codes rational and consitent with the building codes.

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