The user manual shall provide thorough explanation of the following:

1. Software capabilities. A section that discusses the program capabilities. Reference may be made to other sections of the user manual for more complete descriptions if appropriate.
2. Preparing basic input. Description of the basic use of the compliance software for compliance. This section shall include a complete summary of all inputs and commands necessary for compliance.
3. Checklist for compliance submittal. A checklist of all items that must be included in a compliance submittal to the enforcement agency using the compliance software.
4. Sample compliance documentation. Complete set of compliance documentation for a sample building. The example shall include all documentation and standard reports that would normally be submitted to an enforcement agency. This example shall be usable as a model for compliance software users and enforcement agencies to demonstrate a proper compliance submittal.
5. Compliance statement. The following statement shall appear within the first three pages of the user manual, “[Compliance software name] may be used to show compliance with California 2025 Building Energy Efficiency Standards.”
6. Related publications. References to the Building Energy Efficiency Standards, Residential Compliance Manual, and Nonresidential Compliance Manual and where to find these publications

The Commission may take the following actions on an application submitted pursuant to this section:

1.  Approve the application unconditionally;
2. Restrict approval to specified occupancies, designs, materials, or devices; or
3. Reject the application.

1. Updated ACM compliance software shall comply with the approval process in 10-116(c) and 10-110. The Energy Commission schedule will be based on extent of change to the Energy Commission public domain software and is no shorter than 90 days.
2. Incorporate changes from the Energy Commission public domain program by directly incorporating the new version of the Energy Commission public domain program or updating alternative nonresidential energy simulation engines to produce results that are accurate to the new version of the Energy Commission public domain program.
3. Upon approval of updated ACM compliance software, previous versions of the ACM compliance software will expire 90 days after approval of the new version.

1. If the Energy Commission determines that the minor change must be incorporated on a specific schedule, updated ACM compliance software must go through the approval process based on the Energy Commission schedule. The Energy Commission schedule will be based on extent of change to the Energy Commission public domain software and is no shorter than 45 days.
2. Incorporate changes from the Energy Commission public domain program by directly incorporating the new version of the Energy Commission public domain program or updating alternative nonresidential energy simulation engines to produce results that are accurate to the new version of the Energy Commission public domain program.
3. Upon approval of updated ACM compliance software, previous versions of the ACM compliance software will expire 60 days after approval of the new version.

Rules established in the Alternative Calculation Method Reference Manual will be updated no more than twice annually in January and July. If ACM compliance software relies on rules that are updated in the Alternative Calculation Method Reference Manual, then the ACM compliance software must be updated. ACM compliance software that is not updated will be decertified.

1. Submit review request. Written communication to the Energy Commission’s Executive director with copies to the Building Standards Office including name of the ACM compliance software and version, nature of error, explanation for why error requires decertification and appropriate data or other information relevant to evaluate error.
2. Correspondence with interested parties. The Executive Director shall notify and make a copy of the initial written communication available to the vendor of the ACM compliance software and any known interested parties within 30 days of receipt. Interested parties shall have 45 days from the date of the notification provided by the Executive Director to submit comments to the Energy Commission relating to the request.
3. Correspondence with initiating parties. The Executive Director may request additional information needed to evaluate the identified error within 75 days of receipt of the written communication. The initiating party must respond withing 30 days of the request for additional information.
4. Workshop. The Executive Director may convene a workshop within 75 days of receipt of the written communication to gather additional information from the initiating party, the vendor of the ACM compliance software, and interested parties. All parties shall have 15 days after a workshop to submit additional information regarding the error.
5. Determination. Within 90 days of receipt of the written communication, or within 30 days of receipt of complete additional information requested of the initiating party, whichever is later, the Executive Director shall either determine that the ACM compliance need not be decertified or submit to the Commission a written recommendation that the ACM compliance software be decertified.
6. Decertification. If it is determined that the ACM compliance software be decertified, it shall take effect 60 days later. Within the first 30 days of the 60 day period, the Executive Director shall send out a notice to building officials and interested parties announcing the decertification.

All initiating parties have the burden of proof to establish that the review of ACM compliance software errors should be performed. The decertification process may be terminated at any time by mutual consent of the initiating party and the Executive Director.

The vendor of the ACM compliance software may use the period outline here to update the compliance software, obtain approval by the Energy Commission, and release a revised version that corrects the error initially brough to the attention of the Commission.