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Housing Innovation-The University Housing Research Centers and the Building Codes

(a session sponsored by the National Consortium of Housing Research Centers at the International Builder's Show)

Developed by:  Pennsylvania Housing Research Center

Date:  2002

Table of Contents

“Residential Mechanical Ventilation: The Minnesota Code Experience” – Mr. Patrick H. Huelman and Marilou Cheple, University of Minnesota

“The Development of an Alternative to Chapter 11 of the IRC 2000 for use in Pennsylvania” – Dr. Eric F. P. Burnett and Mr. Mark Fortney, Pennsylvania Housing Research Center, Penn State University

“Building Rehabilitation Code in Michigan: Evolution and Implementation” – Dr. Matt Syal and Mr. Chris Shay, Michigan State University

Preface

This educational session is sponsored by the National Consortium for Housing Research Centers. The Consortium comprises sixteen Universities and the research centers of the NAHB and the State Farm Insurance Company. The mission of the Consortium is:

1.                  To organize and operate a national cooperative network of housing research centers to promote the research needs of the residential and light construction industry.

2.                  To disseminate information and facilitate adoption of technological and work organization innovations by the residential and light construction industry.

3.                  To develop and disseminate housing policy studies and recommendations for federal, state and local governments, and the private and non-profit shelter-related industries.

4.                  To develop and facilitate an information exchange network among vConsortium members.

5.                  To continue to improve the quality of U.S. housing science.

The Consortium, with the cooperation of the NAHB, hosts at least one seminar session at each National Convention. This year, in Atlanta, our session involves three presentations. The first paper by Pat Huelman and Marilou Cheple of the University of Minnesota addresses a topical issue of great concern to both the NAHB and ASHRAE, namely residential mechanical ventilation. The second paper is from the Pennsylvania Housing Research/Resource Center and it relates their experience in writing the PA-Alternative to Chapter 11 in the IRC 2000. The third paper, from the Housing Education and Research Center at Michigan State, documents the evolution and implementation of a Building Rehabilitation Code. 

Each paper addresses residential buildings and code-related issues. Collectively, they demonstrate that the Housing Research Centers at various Universities do get involved in the regulatory process (often as third party agents). In addition to their R and D involvement, the Universities do have a significant role to play in the delivery and quality of the housing product.

The authors need to be thanked for their participation and assistance in putting both the session and this publication together. The assistance of Mark Nowak of the NAHB/RC is acknowledged. Michelle McMullen of the PHRC coordinated and produced this publication. Costs for publication were provided by the Hankin Endowment and the PHRC.

Both the seminar session and this publication serve all five of the objectives listed in the mission statement for the Consortium. Both also serve the larger mission of the PHRC.

Eric F. P. Burnett
Chair, National Consortium of Housing Research Centers;
Bernard and Henrietta Hankin Chair in Residential Construction; and
Director, Pennsylvania Housing Research Center