The Department of Buildings (DOB) Green Building division integrates the review and inspection of the DC Energy Conservation Code (ECC) and Green Construction Code (GCC) into DOB's Third-Party Program.
Energy and Green Third-Party Agency Qualifications
All Notice of Intent (NOI) applications from project teams and owners may indicate an approved third-party inspection agency (TPIA) to either conduct an "energy review" and "green review" at plan review, and for inspections. Approved TPIAs must comply with the following criteria:
- Attend or have attended DOB-led Green and Energy Third-Party training for relative discipline (see below). It is the TPIA’s responsibility to adhere to training requirements.
- Provide evidence and/or obtain the minimum qualifications (for each discipline as applicable).
- TPIAs must have a Tertius profile:
- See minimum qualifications in the DOB Third-Party Program Manual
- See the Tertius User Guide For Third-Party Agencies.
- How to create a Tertius profile.
A list of approved third-party agencies can be found here.
Energy and Green Third-Party Code Inspections Process
Following is an overview of the third-party green and energy code inspection process.
Inspection Authorization
The TPIA must submit a request for authorization to conduct GCC and ECC inspections on each project number. Upon inspection authorization, the TPIA may conduct inspections.
Inspection Notification
In addition to submitting a request for inspection authorization, TPIAs must notify the Green Building Division of upcoming green and energy inspections.
Energy Inspections
Inspectors verify that the construction complies with the building code. The Energy Verification Sheet (EVS) includes a list of applicable ECC elements that were identified during the plan review and serve as an inspection checklist at the time of Insulation and Final Energy Inspection. The EVS will help the building team and the inspector start off on the same page at each stage.
The following are mandatory inspections for all projects subject to the ECC:
1. Insulation Inspection: at the time of the first Building Insulation Inspection or after Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Rough inspections are complete but prior to installing drywall.
2. Energy Final Inspection: at the time of Building Final Inspection or after finishes, plumbing fixtures, and light controls are installed.
Green Inspections
Green inspections are required on projects subject to the GCC that have elected to pursue the GCC or ASHRAE 189.1 compliance pathways. Green inspections include a Green Demolition, Green Rough, and Green Final Inspection. When demolition is not part of a project's scope of work a Green Demolition Inspection is not required. Similarly, if a project is only performing demolition then a Green Rough-In and Green Final Inspection is not required.
The following clarifies when each inspection must be conducted.
1. Demolition Inspection: at the time of indoor air quality plan implementation but prior to starting construction activities likely to produce dust or odors.
2. Green Rough-In Inspection: at the time of the first Building Insulation Inspection or after Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Rough Inspections are complete but prior to installing drywall.
3. Green Final Inspection: at the time of Building Final Inspection or after finishes, plumbing fixtures, and light controls are installed.
The Green and Energy Compliance System (GECS) includes a list of applicable GCC elements dentified during plan review and serve as an inspection checklist at the time of Green Demolition, Green Rough-in, and Green Final Inspection. While the inspector may identify any unaddressed code requirements, the generated GECS inspection checklist will help both the building team and the inspector start off on the same page at each inspection.
Documentation Submittal
Supporting documentation shall be required for some ECC projects and all GCC projects. This includes but is not limited to product submittals, manufacturers’ literature, and testing results. The following are among the most commonly collected ECC and GCC documents:
ECC
- Building Envelope Air Leakage Test Result
- Duct Leakage Test Result
GCC
- Indoor Air Quality Plan
- Construction Waste Management Summary and Tickets
- Commissioning Report
- Material Selection Calculation
DOB Quality Assurance
DOB will administer the TPIA oversight protocol, professional-in-charge, and inspector in accordance with the Third-Party Program Procedural Manual. If the project is noncompliant, DOB will:
1. Send feedback to the TPIA for lessons learned.
2. Record errors associated with the review and apply disciplinary measures per the manual.
Certificate of Occupancy Process for Third-Party Projects
Third-party plan review and inspection projects are subject to the same review as non-third-party projects. The Green Building Division verifies inspections have been approved and documents have been approved. All third party inspection results and documents should be sent to the assigned DOB point of contact for your agency or contact us.
Please click here for additional information on the Certificate of Occupancy Process.
