501- GENERAL

C501.4 Compliance. Alterations, repairs, additions and changes of occupancy to, or relocation of, existing buildings and structures shall comply with the provisions for alterations, repairs, additions and changes of occupancy or relocation, respectively, in this code and the Puerto Rico Building Code, Puerto Rico Existing Building Code, Puerto Rico Fire Code, Puerto Rico Fuel Gas Code, Puerto Rico Mechanical Code, Puerto Rico Plumbing Code, Puerto Rico Private Sewage Disposal Code, NFPA 70 and the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority's Reglamento Complementario al Código Eléctrico Nacional (Complementary Code). In case of a conflict between the Complementary Code and the NFPA 70, the Complementary Code will prevail. They shall also comply with either the Reglamento para Interconectar Generadores con el Sistema de 787 Distribución Eléctrica de la Autoridad de Energía Eléctrica y Participar en los Programas de Medición Neta (Regulation 8915) or the Reglamento para Interconectar Generadores con el Sistema de Transmisión Eléctrica de la Autoridad de Energía Eléctrica y Participar en los Programas de Medición Neta (Regulation 8916), as applicable. CHAPTER 6 [CE] - REFERENCE STANDARDS PREPA Puerto Rico Power Authority PO Box 364267 San Juan, PR 00936-4267 5676-1997: Reglamento Complementario al Código Eléctrico Nacional (Complementary Code) C501.4 8915-2017: Reglamento para Interconectar Generadores con el Sistema de Distribución Eléctrica de la Autoridad de Energía Eléctrica y Participar en los Programas de Medición Neta C501.4 8916-2017: Reglamento para Interconectar Generadores con el Sistema de Transmisión Eléctrica de la Autoridad de Energía Eléctrica_y Participar en los Programas de Medición Neta C501.4. JCA Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board Apartado 11488 Santurce, PR 00910 8786-2016: Reglamento para el Control y la Prevención de la Contaminación Lumínica C406.10 APPENDIX CA - SOLAR-READY ZONE - COMMERCIAL No amendments 788 CHAPTER 1 [RE] - SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION PART 1-SCOPE AND APPLICATION SECTION R101 SCOPE AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS R101.1 Title. This code shall be known as the Puerto Rico Energy Conservation Code, and shall be cited as such. It is referred to herein as "this code." R101.2 Scope. This code applies to residential buildings and the building sites and associated systems and equipment. R101.3 Intent. This code shall regulate the design and construction of buildings for the effective use and conservation of energy over the useful life of each building. This code is intended to provide flexibility to permit the use of innovative approaches and techniques to achieve this objective. This code is not intended to abridge safety, health or environmental requirements contained in other applicable codes or ordinances. R101.4 Applicability. Where, in any specific case, different sections of this code specify different materials, methods of construction or other requirements, the most restrictive shall govern. Where there is a conflict between a general requirement and a specific requirement, the specific requirement shall govern. R101.4.1 Mixed residential and commercial buildings. Where a building includes both residential building and commercial building portions, each portion shall be separately considered and meet the applicable provisions of the PRECC-Commercial Provisions or PRECC-Residential Provisions. R101.5 Compliance. Residential buildings shall meet the provisions of PRECC -Residential Provisions. Commercial buildings shall meet the provisions of PRECC - Commercial Provisions. R101.5.1 Compliance materials. The code official shall be permitted to approve specific computer software, worksheets, compliance manuals and other similar materials that meet the intent of this code. SECTION R102 ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS, DESIGN AND METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION AND EQUIPMENT R102.1 General. The provisions of this code are not intended to prevent the installation of any material or to prohibit any design or method of construction not specifically prescribed by this code. The code official shall have the authority to approve an alternative material, design or method of construction upon application of the owner or the owner's authorized agent. The code official shall first find that the proposed design is satisfactory and complies with the intent of the 789 provisions of this code, and that the material, method or work offered is, for the purpose intended, not less than the equivalent of that prescribed in this code for strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability and safety. Where the alternative material, design or method of construction is not approved, the code official shall respond to the applicant, in writing, stating the reasons why the alternative was not approved. R102.1.1 Above code programs. The code official or other authority having jurisdiction shall be permitted to deem a national, state or local energy-efficiency program to exceed the energy efficiency required by this code. Buildings approved in writing by such an energy-efficiency program shall be considered to be in compliance with this code. The requirements identified as "mandatory" in Chapter 4 shall be met. PART 2-ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT The administrative provisions of Part 2 of this Code are derived from provisions established by the Act 161-2009, as amended and the Joint Regulation. SECTION R103 - ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS R103.1 General. The administrative provisions and compliance of this Code will be those established by the Puerto Rico Energy Conservation Code, the Puerto Rico Building Code, the OGPe, the Puerto Rico Planning Board and the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau. CHAPTER 2 [RE] - DEFINITIONS ABOVE-GRADE WALL. A wall more than 50 percent above grade and enclosing conditioned space. This includes between-floor spandrels, peripheral edges of floors, roof and basement knee walls, dormer walls, gable end walls, walls enclosing a mansard roof and skylight shafts. ACCESSIBLE. Admitting close approach as a result of not being guarded by locked doors, elevation or other effective means (see "Readily accessible"). ADDITION. An extension or increase in the conditioned space floor area, number of stories or height of a building or structure. AIR BARRIER. One or more materials joined together in a continuous manner to restrict or prevent the passage of air through the building thermal envelope and its assemblies. AIR-IMPERMEABLE INSULATION. An insulation that functions as an air barrier material. ALTERATION. Any construction, retrofit or renovation to an existing structure other than repair or addition. Also, a change in a building, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system that involves an extension, addition or change to the arrangement, type or purpose of the original installation. 790 APPROVED. Acceptable to the code official. APPROVED AGENCY. An established and recognized agency that is regularly engaged in conducting tests furnishing inspection services, or furnishing product certification, where such agency has been approved by the code official. AUTOMATIC. Self-acting, operating by its own mechanism when actuated by some impersonal influence, as, for example, a change in current strength, pressure, temperature or mechanical configuration (see "Manual"). BASEMENT WALL. A wall 50 percent or more below grade and enclosing conditioned space. BUILDING. Any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy, including any mechanical systems, service water heating systems and electric power and lighting systems located on the building site and supporting the building. [A]BUILDING OFFICIAL. The Auxiliary Secretary of the Permits Management Office of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (OGPe-DDEC), or a duly authorized representative. BUILDING SITE. A contiguous area of land that is under the ownership or control of one entity. BUILDING THERMAL ENVELOPE. The basement walls, exterior walls, floors, ceiling, roofs and any other building element assemblies that enclose conditioned space or provide a boundary between conditioned space and exempt or unconditioned space. CIRCULATING HOT WATER SYSTEM. A specifically designed water distribution system where one or more pumps are operated in the service hot water piping to circulate heated water from the water-heating equipment to fixtures and back to the water-heating equipment. CLIMATE ZONE. A geographical region based on climatic criteria as specified in this code. CODE OFFICIAL. The officer or other designated authority of the government agency having jurisdiction responsible for the enforcement of the pertaining code, or a duly authorized representative. COMMERCIAL BUILDING. For this code, all buildings that are not included in the definition of "Residential building." CONDITIONED FLOOR AREA. The horizontal projection of the floors associated with the conditioned space. CONDITIONED SPACE. An area, room or space that is enclosed within the building thermal envelope and that is directly or indirectly heated or cooled. Spaces are indirectly heated or cooled where they communicate through openings with conditioned spaces, where they are separated from 791 conditioned spaces by uninsulated walls, floors or ceilings, or where they contain uninsulated ducts, piping or other sources of heating or cooling. CONTINUOUS AIR BARRIER. A combination of materials and assemblies that restrict or prevent the passage of air through the building thermal envelope. CONTINUOUS INSULATION (ci). Insulating material that is continuous across all structural members without thermal bridges other than fasteners and service openings. It is installed on the interior or exterior, or is integral to any opaque surface, of the building envelope. CRAWL SPACE WALL. The opaque portion of a wall that encloses a crawl space and is partially or totally below grade. CURTAIN WALL. Fenestration products used to create an external no-load-bearing wall that is designed to separate the exterior and interior environments. DEMAND RECIRCULATION WATER SYSTEM. A water distribution system having one or more recirculation pumps that pump water from a heated water supply pipe back to the heated water source through a cold water supply pipe. DUCT. A tube or conduit utilized for conveying air. The air passages of self-contained systems are not to be construed as air ducts. DUCT SYSTEM. A continuous passageway for the transmission of air that, in addition to ducts, includes duct fittings, dampers, plenums, fans and accessory air-handling equipment and appliances. DWELLING UNIT. A single unit providing complete independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation. ENERGY ANALYSIS. A method for estimating the annual energy use of the proposed design and standard reference design based on estimates of energy use. ENERGY COST. The total estimated annual cost for purchased energy for the building functions regulated by this code, including applicable demand charges. ENERGY SIMULATION TOOL. An approved software program or calculation-based methodology that projects the annual energy use of a building. ERI REFERENCE DESIGN. A version of the rated design that meets the minimum requirements of the 2006 Puerto Rico Energy Conservation Code. EXTERIOR WALL. Walls including both above-grade walls and basement walls. FENESTRATION. Products classified as either vertical fenestration or skylights. 792 Skylights. Glass or other transparent or translucent glazing material installed at a slope of less than 60 degrees (1.05 rad) from horizontal. Vertical fenestration. Windows that are fixed or operable, opaque doors, glazed doors, glazed block and combination opaque/glazed doors composed of glass or other transparent or translucent glazing materials and installed at a slope of not less than 60 degrees (1.05 rad) from horizontal. FENESTRATION PRODUCT, SITE-BUILT. A fenestration designed to be made up of fieldglazed or field-assembled units using specific factory cut or otherwise factory-formed framing and glazing units. Examples of site-built fenestration include storefront systems, curtain walls and atrium roof systems. HEATED SLAB. Slab-on-grade construction in which the heating elements, hydronic tubing, or hot air distribution system is in contact with, or placed within or under, the slab. HIGH-EFFICACY LAMPS. Compact fluorescent lamps, light-emitting diode (LED) lamps, T- 8 or smaller diameter linear fluorescent lamps, or other lamps with an efficacy of not less than the following: 1. 60 lumens per watt for lamps over 40 watts. 2. 50 lumens per watt for lamps over 15 watts to 40 watts. 3. 40 lumens per watt for lamps 15 watts or less. HISTORIC BUILDING OR PROPERTY. Any building or site, object, place, location, district or zone, or collection of structures and their associated sites, deemed of importance to the history, architecture or culture of an area by an appropriate local, state or federal governmental jurisdiction and as defined by the Joint Regulation. This includes historical buildings or properties: 1. Listed or certified as eligible for listing by the State Historic Preservation Officer or the Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places, in the National Register of Historic Places. 2. Designated as historic or having historic significance under an applicable state or local law, ordinance or resolution. 3. Designated as historic or having historic significance by the Puerto Rico Planning Board in the Register of Historic Places and Zones, Board of Directors of the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, and the Puerto Rico Legislative Assembly. 4. Certified as a contributing or eligible resource within a National Register, state designated or locally designated historic district or zone. INFILTRATION. The uncontrolled inward air leakage into a building caused by the pressure effects of wind or the effect of differences in the indoor and outdoor air density or both. 793 INSULATED SIDING. A type of continuous insulation with manufacturer-installed insulating material as an integral part of the cladding product having an R -value of not less than R-2. INSULATING SHEATHING. An insulating board with a core material having an R -value of not less than R-2. (JOINT REGULATION) JOINT PERMITS REGULATIONS FOR THE EVALUATION AND ISSUANCE OF PERMITS RELATED TO DEVELOPMENT, LAND USE AND BUSINESS OPERATION. As defined in the "Reglamento Conjunto de Permisos para Obras de Construcción y Uso de Terrenos de Puerto Rico, (Reglamento Conjunto)" as established by the Act No. 161 of December 1, 2009, "Ley para la Reforma del Proceso de Permisos de Puerto Rico, as amended". LABELED. Equipment, materials or products to which have been affixed a label, seal, symbol or other identifying mark of a nationally recognized testing laboratory, approved agency or other organization concerned with product evaluation that maintains periodic inspection of the production of such labeled items and whose labeling indicates either that the equipment, material or product meets identified standards or has been tested and found suitable for a specified purpose. LISTED. Equipment, materials, products or services included in a list published by an organization acceptable to the code official and concerned with evaluation of products or services that maintains periodic inspection of production of listed equipment or materials or periodic evaluation of services and whose listing states either that the equipment, material, product or service meets identified standards or has been tested and found suitable for a specified purpose. LOW-VOLTAGE LIGHTING. Lighting equipment powered through a transformer such as a cable conductor, a rail conductor and track lighting. MANUAL. Capable of being operated by personal intervention (see "Automatic"). (OGPe-DDEC) Permits Management Office: As defined in the Act 141, of July 10, 2018, "Ley de Ejecución del Plan de Reorganización del Departamento de Desarrollo Económico y Comercio". OPAQUE DOOR. A door that is not less than 50-percent opaque in surface area. PROPOSED DESIGN. A description of the proposed building used to estimate annual energy use for determining compliance based on total building performance. (PRPB) PUERTO RICO PLANNING BOARD. Government Agency created by ACT No. 75 of June 1975 as amended, hereinafter PRPB. In addition, it is the State Agency Coordinator of the National Flood Insurance Program. RATED DESIGN. A description of the proposed building used to determine the energy rating index. 794 READILY ACCESSIBLE. Capable of being reached quickly for operation, renewal or inspection without requiring those to whom ready access is requisite to climb over or remove obstacles or to resort to portable ladders or access equipment (see "Accessible"). REPAIR. The reconstruction or renewal of any part of an existing building for the purpose of its maintenance or to correct damage. REROOFING. The process of recovering or replacing an existing roof covering. See "Roof recover" and "Roof replacement." RESIDENTIAL BUILDING. For this code, includes detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses as well as Group R-2, R-3 and R-4 buildings three stories or less in height above grade plane. ROOF ASSEMBLY. A system designed to provide weather protection and resistance to design loads. The system consists of a roof covering and roof deck or a single component serving as both the roof covering and the roof deck. A roof assembly includes the roof covering, underlayment and roof deck, and can also include a thermal barrier, an ignition barrier, insulation or a vapor retarder. ROOF RE-COVER. The process of installing an additional roof covering over a prepared existing roof covering without removing the existing roof covering. ROOF REPAIR. Reconstruction or renewal of any part of an existing roof for the purposes of its maintenance. ROOF REPLACEMENT. The process of removing the existing roof covering, repairing any damaged substrate and installing a new roof covering. R -VALUE (THERMAL RESISTANCE). The inverse of the time rate of heat flow through a body from one of its bounding surfaces to the other surface for a unit temperature difference between the two surfaces, under steady state conditions, per unit area (h ft2 °F/Btu) [(m2 K)/W]. SERVICE WATER HEATING. Supply of hot water for purposes other than comfort heating. SOLAR HEAT GAIN COEFFICIENT (SHGC). The ratio of the solar heat gain entering the space through the fenestration assembly to the incident solar radiation. Solar heat gain includes directly transmitted solar heat and absorbed solar radiation that is then reradiated, conducted or convected into the space. STANDARD REFERENCE DESIGN. A version of the proposed design that meets the minimum requirements of this code and is used to determine the maximum annual energy use requirement for compliance based on total building performance. 795 SUNROOM. A one-story structure attached to a dwelling with a glazing area in excess of 40 percent of the gross area of the structure's exterior walls and roof. THERMAL ISOLATION. Physical and space conditioning separation from conditioned spaces. The conditioned spaces shall be controlled as separate zones for heating and cooling or conditioned by separate equipment. THERMOSTAT. An automatic control device used to maintain temperature at a fixed or adjustable setpoint. U- FACTOR (THERMAL TRANSMITTANCE). The coefficient of heat transmission (air to air) through a building component or assembly, equal to the time rate of heat flow per unit area and unit temperature difference between the warm side and cold side air films (Btu/h ft2 °F) [W/(m2 K)]. VENTILATION. The natural or mechanical process of supplying conditioned or unconditioned air to, or removing such air from, any space. VENTILATION AIR. That portion of supply air that comes from outside (outdoors) plus any recirculated air that has been treated to maintain the desired quality of air within a designated space. VISIBLE TRANSMITTANCE [VT]. The ratio of visible light entering the space through the fenestration product assembly to the incident visible light, Visible Transmittance, includes the effects of glazing material and frame and is expressed as a number between 0 and 1. WHOLE HOUSE MECHANICAL VENTILATION SYSTEM. An exhaust system, supply system, or combination thereof that is designed to mechanically exchange indoor air with outdoor air when operating continuously or through a programmed intermittent schedule to satisfy the whole house ventilation rates. ZONE. A space or group of spaces within a building with heating or cooling requirements that are sufficiently similar so that desired conditions can be maintained throughout using a single controlling device. CHAPTER 3 [RE] - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS No amendments CHAPTER 4 [RE] - RESIDENTIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY SECTION R401 - GENERAL R401.1 Scope. This chapter applies to residential buildings. 796 R401.1.1 For the RESIDENTIAL PROVISIONS of this code, Residential Buildings includes detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses as well as Group R-2, R-3 and R-4 buildings including over three stories in height R401.2.1 Tropical Zone. Residential Buildings in the tropical zone at elevations less than 2,400 feet (731.5 m) above sea level shall be deemed to be in compliance with this chapter provided that the following conditions are met: 1. Not more than one-half of the occupied space is air conditioned. 2. The occupied space is not heated, 3. Solar, wind or other renewable energy source supplies not less than 80 percent of the energy for service water heating. 4. Glazing in conditioned spaces has a solar heat gain coefficient of less than or equal to 0.40 or has an overhang with a projection factor equal to or greater than 0.30, (refer to Table 5.5.4.4.1 from ASHREA 90.1, 2016.), 5. Permanently installed lighting, where is in accordance with Section R404. 6. The exterior roof surface complies with one of the options in Table C402.3 or the roof or ceiling has insulation with an R-value of R-15 or greater. Where attics are present, attics above the insulation are vented and attics below the insulation are unvented. 7. Roof surface have a slope of not less than one fourth unit vertical in 12 unit horizontal (21 percent slope). The finished roof does not have water accumulation areas. 8. Operable fenestration provides a ventilation area of not less than 14 percent of the floor area in each room. Alternatively, equivalent ventilation is provided by a ventilation fan, 9. Bedrooms with exterior walls facing two different directions have operable fenestration walls facing two directions. 10. Interior doors to bedrooms are capable of being secured in the open position. 11. A ceiling fan or ceiling fan rough-in is provided for bedrooms and the largest space that is not used as a bedroom. R401.3 Certificate (Mandatory). A permanent certificate shall be completed by the builder or other approved party and posted on a wall in a utility room or an approved location inside the building. Where located on an electrical panel, the certificate shall not cover or obstruct the visibility of the circuit directory label, service disconnect label or other required labels. The certificate shall indicate the predominant R-values of insulation installed in or on ceilings, roofs, walls, ; U-factors of fenestration and the solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) of fenestration, and the results from any required duct system and building envelope air leakage testing performed on 797 the building. Where there is more than one value for each component, the certificate shall indicate the value covering the largest area. The certificate shall indicate the types and efficiencies of heating, cooling and service water heating equipment. Where a gas-fired unvented room heater, electric furnace or baseboard electric heater is installed in the residence, the certificate shall indicate "gas-fired unvented room heater," "electric furnace" or "baseboard electric heater," as appropriate. An efficiency shall not be indicated for gas-fired unvented room heaters, electric furnaces and electric baseboard heaters. SECTION R402 - BUILDING THERMAL ENVELOPE R402.3 Fenestration (Prescriptive). In addition to the requirements of Section R402, fenestration shall comply with Sections R402.3.1 through R402.3.5. R402.3.1 U-factor. An area-weighted average of fenestration products shall be permitted to satisfy the U-factor requirements. R402.3.2 Glazed fenestration SHGC. An area-weighted average of fenestration products more than 50-percent glazed shall permitted to satisfy the SHGC requirements. Dynamic glazing shall be permitted to satisfy the SHGC requirements of Table R402.1.2 provided that the ratio of the higher to lower labeled SHGC is greater than or equal to 2.4, and the dynamic glazing is automatically controlled to modulate the amount of solar gain into the space in multiple steps. Dynamic glazing shall be considered separately from other fenestration, and area-weighted averaging with other fenestration that is not dynamic glazing shall be prohibited. Exception: Dynamic glazing shall not be required to comply with this section where both the lower and higher labeled SHGC comply with the requirements of Table R402.1.2. For demonstrating compliance in vertical fenestrations shaded by opaque permanent projections that will last as long as the building itself, the equivalent SHGC of the fenestration product shall be reduced by using the multipliers in Table 402.3.2. The following formula should be used to calculate the required estimated overhang projection factor, the projection factor will be the range applicable to the respective calculated SHGC Multiplier: 798 SGHC Multiplier = SGHC required in Table 402.3.2 SGHC Equipment Table 402.3.2 (NEW) A SHGC Multipliers for Permanent Projections B Projection SHGC Multiplier SHGC Overhang Protection (All other Factor = A/B Factor Multiplier orientations) (North-Oriented) >0-0.10 1.00 1.00 >0.10-0.20 0.91 0.95 >0.20-0.30 0.82 0.91 >0.30-0.40 0.74 0.87 >0.40-0.50 0.67 0.84 >0.50-0.60 0.61 0.81 >0.60-0.70 0.56 0.78 >0.70-0.80 0.51 0.76 >0.80-0.90 0.47 0.75 >0.90-1.00 0.44 0.73 R402.3.3 Glazed fenestration exemption. Not greater than 15square feet (1.4 m²) of glazed fenestration per dwelling unit shall be exempt from the U- factor and SHGC requirements in Section R402.1.2. This exemption shall not apply to the U- factor alternative in Section R402.1.4 and the Total UA alternative in Section R402.1.5. R402.3.5 Sunroom fenestration. Sunrooms enclosing conditioned space shall comply with the fenestration requirements of this code. *(1)New fenestration separating the sunroom with thermal isolation from conditioned space shall comply with the building thermal envelope requirements of this code. R402.5 Maximum fenestration U-factor and SHGC (Mandatory). The area-weighted average maximum fenestration SHGC permitted using tradeoffs from Section R405 in Climate Zone 1 shall be 0.50. SECTION R403 - SYSTEMS R403.3 Ducts. Ducts and air handlers shall be installed in accordance with Sections R403.3.1 through R403.3.7. 799 R403.3.6 Ducts buried within ceiling insulation. Where supply and return air ducts are partially or completely buried in ceiling insulation, such ducts shall comply with all of the following: 1. The supply and return ducts shall have an insulation R-value not less than R-8. 2. At all points along each duct, the sum of the ceiling insulation R-value against and above the top of the duct, and against and below the bottom of the duct, shall be not less than R- 19, excluding the R-value of the duct insulation. 3. In Climate Zones 1A, the supply ducts shall be completely buried within ceiling insulation, insulated to an R-value of not less than R-13 and in compliance with the vapor retarder requirements of Section 604.11 of the Puerto Rico Mechanical Code or Section M1601.4.6 of the Puerto Rico Residential Code, as applicable. R403.10 Pools and permanent spa energy consumption (Mandatory). The energy consumption of pools and permanent spas shall be in accordance with Sections R403.10.1 through R403.10.3. R403.10.1 Heaters. All pool heaters shall be equipped with a readily accessible on-off switch to allow shutting off the heater without adjusting the thermostat setting. Pool heaters are allowed only with renewable or alternate energy source. SECTION R404 - ELECTRICAL POWER AND LIGHTING SYSTEMS R404.1 Lighting equipment (Mandatory). Not less than 90 percent of the permanently installed lighting fixtures shall contain only high-efficacy lamps. R404.1.1 Lighting equipment (Mandatory). Fuel gas lighting systems shall not have continuously burning pilot lights. R404.2 Solar-Ready Provisions for Distributed Generation Systems Installation (Mandatory). Solar-ready provisions included as Appendix RA of this code shall be applicable to new construction of one- and two-family dwelling and townhouses. Although solar systems are not required to be installed, it is required the space(s) for installing such systems, providing pathways for connections and requiring adequate structural capacity of roof systems to support them. R404.3 Environmental Luminaries. Any luminary or sign on building with illumination shall be replaced with full-cutoff lamps and shall comply with the Reglamento para el Control y la Prevención de la Contaminación Lumínica issued by the Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board. 800 SECTION R406 - ENERGY RATING INDEX COMPLIANCE ALTERNATIVE R406.4 ERI-based compliance. Compliance based on an ERI analysis requires that the rated design be shown to have an ERI less than or equal to the appropriate value indicated in Table R406.4 when compared to the ERI reference design. TABLE R406.4 MAXIMUM ENERGY RATING INDEX CLIMATE ZONE ENERGY RATING INDEX a 1 57 CHAPTER 5 [RE] - EXISTING BUILDINGS SECTION R501 GENERAL R501.4 Compliance. Alterations, repairs, additions and changes of occupancy to, or relocation of, existing buildings and structures shall comply with the provisions for alterations, repairs, additions and changes of occupancy or relocation, respectively, in this code and the Puerto Rico Building Code, Puerto Rico Existing Building Code, Puerto Rico Fire Code, Puerto Rico Fuel Gas Code, Puerto Rico Mechanical Code, Puerto Rico Plumbing Code, Puerto Rico Private Sewage Disposal Code, NFPA 70 and the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority's Reglamento Complementario al Código Eléctrico Nacional (Complementary Code). In case of a conflict between the Complementary Code and the NFPA 70, the Complementary Code will prevail. CHAPTER 6 [RE] - REFERENCE STANDARDS PREPA Puerto Rico Power Authority PO Box 364267 San Juan, PR 00936-4267 5676-1997: Reglamento Complementario al Código Eléctrico Nacional (Complementary Code) R501.4 8915-2017: Reglamento para Interconectar Generadores con el Sistema de Distribución Eléctrica de la Autoridad de Energía Eléctrica y Participar en los Programas de Medición Neta R501,4 8916-2017: Reglamento para Interconectar Generadores con el Sistema de Transmisión Eléctrica de la Autoridad de Energía Eléctrica_y Participar en los Programas de Medición Neta R501.4 801 JCA Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board Apartado 11488 Santurce, PR 00910 8786-2016: Reglamento para el Control y la Prevención de la Contaminación Lumínica R404.3 APPENDIX RA - Solar Ready Provisions - Detached One and Two- Family Dwelling and Townhouses SECTION RA103 - SOLAR-READY ZONE RA103.1 General. New detached one- and two-family dwellings, and townhouses with not less than 600 square feet (55.74 m2) of roof area oriented between 110 degrees and 270 degrees of true north shall comply with Sections RA103.2 through RA103.8. Exceptions: 1. New residential buildings with a permanently Installed on-site renewable energy System. 2. A building with a solar-ready zone that is shaded for more than 70 percent of daylight hours annually. 3. Low income housing units. RA103.2 Construction document requirements for solar-ready zone. Construction documents shall indicate the solar-ready zone. RA103.3 Solar-ready zone area. The total solar-ready zone area shall be not less than 300 square feet (27.87 m2) exclusive of mandatory access or set back areas as required by the Puerto Rico Fire Code. New townhouses three stories or less in height above grade plane and with a total floor area less than or equal to 2,000 square feet (185.8 m2) per dwelling shall have a solar-ready zone area of not less than 150 square feet (13.94 m2). The solar-ready zone shall be composed of areas not less than 5 feet (1524 mm) in width and not less than 80 square feet (7.44 m2) exclusive of access or set back areas as required by the Puerto Rico Fire Code. RA103.4 Obstructions. Solar-ready zones shall be free from obstructions, including but not limited to vents, chimneys, and roof-mounted equipment. RA103.5 Roof load documentation. The structural design loads for roof dead load and roof live load shall be clearly indicated on the construction documents. 802 RA103.6 Interconnection pathway. Construction documents shall indicate pathways for routing of conduit or plumbing from the solar-ready zone to the electrical service panel or service hot water system. RA103.6.1 Installation of a 5"x 5"x2 1/2" junction box connected to the Main meter box by a 1" PVC empty conduit. The. junction box shall have a waterproof cover for a future disconnect switch. Location must be accessible to Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) personnel. RA103.6.2 Installation of a 1" PVC empty conduit from the ¹/2" junction box to roof level at location where Solar systems will be located. Empty PVC pipe will be installed with pull wire for future installation of cables, properly capped and sealed 6"above roof deck. RA103.6.3 (optional) Installation of a 1/2" PVC empty conduit from roof to ground level, properly capped and sealed for future installation of ground. RA103.7 Electrical service reserved space. The main electrical service panel shall have a reserved space to allow installation of a dual pole circuit breaker for future solar electric installation and shall be labeled "For Future Solar Electric." The reserved space shall be positioned at the opposite (load) end from the input feeder location or main circuit location. RA103.8 Construction documentation certificate. A permanent certificate, indicating the solarready zone and other requirements of this section, shall be posted near the electrical distribution panel, water heater or other conspicuous location by the builder or registered design professional. 803 804 PREBC Puerto Rico Exisiting Building Code PUERTO RICO EXISTING BUILDING CODE 2018 As amended from INTERNATIONAL EXISTING BUILDING CODE 2018 "This AMENDMENTS to the 2018 INTERNATIONAL EXISTING BUILDING CODE contains copyrighted material from the 2018 International Existing Building Code, which is a copyrighted work owned by the International Code Council, Inc. Without advance written permission from the copyright owner, no part of this book may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including, without limitation, electronic, optical or mechanical means (by way of example and not limitation, photocopying, or recording by or in an information storage retrieval system). For information on permission to copy material exceeding fair use, please contact: Publications, 4051 West Flossmoor Road, Country Club Hills, IL 60478-5771. Phone 1-888-ICC- SAFE (422-7233). Trademarks: "International Code Council," the "International Code Council" logo and the "International Existing Building Code" are trademarks of the International Code Council, Inc." 807 808 CHAPTER 1 - SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION PART 1 SCOPE AND APPLICATION SECTION 101 - GENERAL [A]101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Puerto Rico Existing Building Code, hereinafter referred to as "this code." [A]101.2 Scope. The provisions of this code shall apply to the repair, alteration, change of occupancy, addition to and relocation of existing buildings. Exception: Detached one and two-family dwellings and multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) not more than three stories above grade plane in height with aseparate means of egress, and their accessory structures not more than three stories above grade plane in height, shall comply with this code or the Puerto Rico Residential Code. [A]101.3 Intent. The intent of this code is to provide flexibility to permit the use of alternative approaches to achieve compliance with minimum requirements to safeguard the public health, safety and welfare insofar as they are affected by the repair, alteration, change of occupancy, addition and relocation of existing buildings. [A]101.4 Applicability. This code shall apply to the repair, alteration, change of occupancy, addition and relocation of existing buildings, regardless of occupancy, subject to the criteria of Sections 101.4.1 and 101.4.2. [A]101.4.1 Buildings not previously occupied. A building or portion of a building that has not been previously occupied or used for its intended purpose, in accordance with the laws in existence at the time of its completion, shall be permitted to comply with the provisions of the laws in existence at the time of its original permit unless such permit has expired. Subsequent permits shall comply with the Puerto Rico Building Code or Puerto Rico Residential Code, as applicable, for new construction. [A]101.4.2 Buildings previously occupied. The legal occupancy of any building existing on the date of adoption of this code shall be permitted to continue without change, except as is specifically covered in this code, the Puerto Rico Fire Code, or as is deemed necessary by the code official for the general safety and welfare of the occupants and the public. [A]101.5 Safeguards during construction. Construction work covered in this code, including any related demolition, shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 15. [A]101.6 Appendices. The code official is authorized to require retrofit of buildings, structures or individual structural members in accordance with the appendices of this code if such appendices have been individually adopted. 809 [A]101.7 Correction of violations of other codes. Repairs or alterations mandated by any property, housing, or fire safety maintenance code or mandated by any licensing rule or ordinance adopted pursuant to law shall conform only to the requirements of that code, rule, or ordinance and shall not be required to conform to this code unless the code requiring such repair or alteration so provides. SECTION 102 - APPLICABILITY [A]102.1 General. Where there is a conflict between a general requirement and a specific requirement, the specific requirement shall be applicable. Where in any specific case different sections of this code specify different materials, methods of construction or other requirements, the most restrictive shall govern. [A]102.2 Other laws. The provisions of this code shall not be deemed to nullify any provisions of local, state, or federal law. [A]102.3 Application of references. References to chapter or section numbers or to provisions not specifically identified by number shall be construed to refer to such chapter, section, or provision of this code. [A]102.4 Referenced codes and standards. The codes and standards referenced in this code shall be considered part of the requirements of this code to the prescribed extent of each such reference and as further regulated in Sections 102.4.1 and 102.4.2. Exception: Where enforcement of a code provision would violate the conditions of the listing of the equipment or appliance, the conditions of the listing shall govern. [A]102.4.1 Conflicts. Where conflicts occur between provisions of this code and referenced codes and standards, the provisions of this code shall apply. [A]102.4.2 Conflicting provisions. Where the extent of the reference to a referenced code or standard includes subject matter that is within the scope of this code, the provisions of this code, as applicable, shall take precedence over the provisions in the referenced code or standard. [A]102.5 Partial invalidity. In the event that any part or provision of this code is held to be illegal or void, this shall not have the effect of making void or illegal any of the other parts or provisions. PART 2-ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT The administrative provisions of Part 2 of this Code are derived from provisions established by the Act 161-2009, as amended and the Joint Regulation and the Puerto Rico Building Code. 810