BACKGROUND
On April 4, 2024, the ASHRAE Standard 90.1 Project Committee overwhelmingly voted & approved the use of “AHJ” (authority having jurisdiction) as the entity responsible for the acceptance or rejection of the design and installation of a construction project within a community where ASHRAE Standard 90.1, Energy Standard for Sites and Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, has been adopted.
HISTORY
So, back in ancient Egyptian times, who oversaw building that pyramid and all its intricate tunnels and secret tomb compartments? Did they have a “Building Official”? It was most likely a group of “Master Architects” who detailed the exact shape, size and placement of every single stone in the project.
Later, in Colonial times, communities created ordinances aimed at brick and stone construction practices for fire safety protection. The first known construction code in the United States is believed to be the New York City “Tenement House Act of 1867.” Architects generally acted as both designers and approvers of all construction projects. Many architectural “guidelines” were used to enforce safety measures in construction projects of all types and sizes.
The 1938 New York City Building Code was a good example of a document intended to regulate and enforce fire and life safety measures in building construction. Municipalities generally began employing “Building Officials” as the local authority having acceptance/rejection authority at all construction projects.
Local ordinances, “architectural guidelines” and local building codes continued in use until around the 1970s energy crisis forced rethinking about the need for energy efficiency in building construction and its later occupancy to reduce dependence on foreign oil production. Based on the studies from a national symposium of building design experts, the first ASHRAE Standard 90 was published with the intent of local jurisdictions adopting it as their design and construction energy efficiency code.
Various other similar documents were gradually developed with a similar goal of achieving energy efficiency. One group was created specifically to exceed ASHRAE Standard 90 by establishing a system of “LEED” where the “rating authority” would control project design and construction details of safety and efficiency. Other groups also emerged including the International Code Council, International Energy Efficiency Code and the Green Building Code—ASHRAE Standard 189.
Result …. Too many fingers in the pie!