[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 67 (Friday, April 7, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17652-17653]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-8486]



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[[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