Energy Conservation

[[Page 17653]]

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

41 CFR Part 101-20

[FPMR Amendment D-93]

RIN 3090-AF50

Energy Conservation

AGENCY: Public Buildings Service, General Services Administration.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This rule eliminates the General Services Administration's

existing operating standards and allows for the maintenance of building

temperatures in a manner satisfactory to users and consistent with

local commercial practices. In addition, it deletes the minimum

ventilation rate and replaces it with the ventilation standards

specified by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-

Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE Standard 62 Ventilation for Acceptable

Indoor Air Quality).

EFFECTIVE DATE: April 7, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jim Carelock, Office of Property Management, Washington, DC 20405,

(202) 501-1430.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Executive Order 12862, Setting Customer

Service Standards, states that in order to carry out the principles of

the National Performance Review, the Federal Government must be

customer-driven. GSA, in an effort to become more customer driven,

seeks to improve customer satisfaction, by changing regulations that

have direct effect on three areas of low customer satisfaction. GSA's

customers, building tenants have indicated by their responses to

customer surveys that they have very low satisfaction levels for the

following: ventilation, 42 percent satisfied; indoor air quality, 44

percent satisfied; summer temperature, 53 percent satisfied; and winter

temperature, 56 percent satisfied.

The two sections of the Federal Property Management Regulations

(FPMR) addressed in this regulation mandate space temperatures and

ventilation rates that contribute to low customer satisfaction. These

changes will permit the Buildings Managers to control building

temperatures and mandate adherence to the latest air ventilation

guidelines. The proposed regulation was published in the Federal

Register on September 13, 1994, for comment (59 FR 46951). No comments

were received during the comment period.

Executive Order 12866

The General Services Administration (GSA) has determined that this

rule is not a significant regulatory action for the purposes of

Executive Order 12866.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

GSA has determined that this rule will not have a significant

economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the

Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).

List of Subjects in 41 CFR Part 101-20

Fire prevention, Blind, Safety, Concessions, Crime, Federal

buildings and facilities, Government property management, Security

measures.

For the reasons set out in the preamble, 41 CFR Part 101-20 is

amended as follows:

PART 101-20--MANAGEMENT OF BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS

1. The authority citation for Part 101-20 continues to read as

follows:

Authority: Sec. 205(c), 63 Stat. 390; 40 U.S.C. 486(c).

Subpart 101-20.1--Building Operations, Maintenance, Protection, and

Alterations

2. Section 101-20.107 is amended by revising paragraph (c)(1) and

paragraph (e) to read as follows:

Sec. 101-20.107 Energy conservation.

* * * * *

(c) * * *

(1) Temperatures will be maintained to maximize customer

satisfaction by conforming to local commercial equivalent temperature

levels and operating practices. GSA will seek to minimize energy use

while operating its buildings in this manner. During non-working hours,

heating temperatures shall be set no higher than 55 degrees Fahrenheit

and air-conditioning will not be provided except as necessary to return

space temperatures to a suitable level for the beginning of working

hours.

* * * * *

(e) During working hours in periods of heating and cooling, provide

ventilation in accordance with ASHRAE Standard 62, Ventilation for

Acceptable Indoor Air Quality where physically practical. Where not

physically practical, provide the maximum allowable amount of

ventilation during periods of heating and cooling and pursue

opportunities to increase ventilation up to current standards. ASHRAE

Standard 62 is available from ASHRAE Publications Sales, 1791 Tullie

Circle NE, Atlanta, GA 30329-2305.

* * * * *

Dated: March 24, 1995.

Julia M. Stasch,

Acting Administrator of General Services.

[FR Doc. 95-8486 Filed 4-6-95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6820-23-M