HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0646.009 2018-2020 P/Council
�� MM.fAfd-I(o
International Union of Bricklayers and
� Allied Craftworkers Local #1 of Hawaii
2251 North School Street,Honolulu,HI 96819
r ' Phone: (808)841-8822 • Fax: (808) 777-3456
4167
January 7, 2020
Hawaii County Council
The Honorable Aaron Chung, Chair
The Honorable Karen Eoff,Vice Chair
25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawaii 96720 —
Statement of Local 1 in Support of Bill 126 t 3
Dear Chair Chung, Vice Chair Eoff, and Members:
The members and signatory contractors of International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Crafts
Local 1 perform work relating to concrete, brick,tile, stone, marble,terrazzo, cement, and
plaster. Some of this work directly relates to Subsection R402.2.5 of the International Energy
Conservation Code, regulating insulation for buildings and the use of mass walls made of
concrete block, concrete, insulated concrete form, masonry cavity, brick, earth, and solid
timber/logs. This specific subsection of the IECC is addressed in paragraph (35) of Bill 126.
In particular,we support the proposed underlined language in Paragraph (35) of Bill 126,
which would provide a local amendment to Subsection R402.2.5 of the International
Energy Code. This proposed local amendment will help the code to be best tailored to Hawaii's
unique climate to help consumers and builders alike achieve energy efficiency and cost savings.
As noted in Comment A. of Paragraph (35), "in a tropical climate, the impact of wall insulation
is diminished for commercial buildings with more importance placed on roof insulation and
window solar heat gain coefficient."Put in lay terms,the additional wall insulation originally
required by the IECC may not be appropriate for an environment like Hawaii County, and so the
exception will help to adapt the IECC to better fit our tropical climate.
Similarly, as noted in Comment B. of Paragraph (35), the proposed language to exempt concrete,
CMU, and similar mass walls which are 6 inches or greater in thickness "will reduce the
footprint of the structure when using mass wall, which will reduce construction costs."This is
important in a place like Hawaii County where high housing costs burden local families and high
construction costs impact local business' bottom lines.
We also support the proposed amendments submitted by Hawaii LECET, in regard to
Table R402.1.2 in Paragraph (29) of the bill.
In closing, we thank you in advance for your favorable consideration of the language proposed in
Paragraph (35) of Bill 126, and for your continued support of the hardworking men and women
in Hawaii's construction trades. (
(� �(} (�
Comm.No. `$L • -I
Ref.To:.P I councd.
Ref. Date JAN. -.8 202(1