Why the IES Supports the IGCC
The Illuminating Engineering Society of North America
Rita M. Harrold, Director of Technology
The Illuminating Engineering Society represents 8,000 members dedicated to improving
the lighted environment by bringing together those with lighting knowledge and
translating that knowledge into actions that benefit the public.
IES is a technical standards developing organization that disseminates recommendations
on quality and quantity of light through its recommended practices, design guides,
testing procedures, educational workshops, seminars and webcasts, either solely or in
collaboration with other organizations for industry and user audiences. IES correlates
lighting research results, investigations, and discussions through its technical
committees to guide lighting experts on research- and consensus-based
recommendations.
Collaboration with other organizations that have expertise in technical standards and
code development is a significant and welcome extension to the work of IES. For many
years the IES has enjoyed a co-sponsorship agreement with ASHRAE on energy
standards (ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standards 90.1, Energy Standard for Buildings Except LowRise Residential Buildings and 100, Energy Conservation in Existing Buildings) and with
partners ASHRAE, AIA, and USGBC on the Advanced Energy Design Guide series of
publications. IES is also a partner with ASHRAE and USGBC on ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES
Standard 189.1, Standard for the Design of High-Performance Green Buildings.
This year, the agreement among ASHRAE, USGBC and IES to join ICC in the International
Green Construction Code initiative provides a unified approach to joining technical
information with code development to reach a broader and more diverse audience than
any one organization can achieve alone. Referencing Standard 189.1 as a jurisdictional
compliance path within the IGCC is a significant initial step for ongoing team efforts to
ensure a more sustainable built environment.
The strength of the agreement lies not only in the diversity of the partners’
constituencies and what each brings in technical expertise and knowledge of the code
development process, but also in the shared common goals to ensure that collectively
the organizations provide the appropriate guidance and tools to help jurisdictions with
their green construction regulations.
IES will continue its work on the development of a design guide through its own
Sustainable Lighting committee and share its recommendations with the partners. The
Society will also provide local IES Section members with an understanding of the
collaborative efforts among the organizations. IES Sections can then become a local
resource for the design community to learn about codes and their impact on green
building construction, and for jurisdictions to gain technical knowledge through Section
programs and seminars.
Rita Harrold has staff responsibility for the development of IES standards and
educational materials through committees, outside contractors, and jointly with other
organizations on co-sponsored standards and codes. A past President of IES (1984-85),
she serves on interdisciplinary committees with organizational partners, chairs the ANSI
Board of Standards Review, and is a member of the DOE Commercial Building Alliance
steering committee.
Illuminating Engineering Society of North America
www.ies.org