BECS Committee Energy Conservation Task Force to Hold an Initial Coordination Call Next Week for Responding to New Buildings Institute (NBI) 2021 IECC Code Amendment Initiative.
As discussed in the last two “Friday Updates,” NBI has developed 2021 IECC code amendment proposals to be introduced at state and local energy code adoption proceedings.  The NBI summary document of its proposals is provided on the BECS Committee website and is available here.  The initial discussion of the Task Force will be to discuss a strategy for supporting AGA member companies in responding to the NBI proposals, other proposals working against direct use of natural gas, and potential reintroduction of AGA proposals originally drafted for the IECC to implement provisions that recognize the benefits for the natural gas direct use natural gas.  It is expected that follow up calls of the Task Force will be expanded to include the broader membership of the BECS Committee as well as allied organizations anticipating energy code adoption activity at the state and local levels. It should be noted that there is increased legislation efforts in the states (See State Activity below for Virginia and Iowa), to adopt the 2021 version of the International Energy Conservation Code. In light of the recent appeals of a number of provisions in the 2021 IECC, it would be prudent if the federally legislated required determination by the DOE of energy savings be completed on the new provisions in the 2021 IECC to assess whether or not the provisions do indeed save energy, are neutral on energy savings or increase energy usage prior to adoption.  This is a requirement that DOE must perform whenever the IECC is updated. The link to the 2018 IECC  DOE determination is here and also provides the details of the DOE’s requirements to make the determination on each new edition of the IECC.
 
AGA Involvement in ICC Board Task Force on Pandemics Ramping Up.
Since offering to serve on the ICC Board Task Force in November 2020 and as discussed in earlier “Friday Updates,” BECS Committee staff has been standing by for ICC to kick off the Task Force with it initial work.  AGA was informed last week that ICC has appointed the Task Force co-chairs is now preparing to convene the Task Force.  ICC anticipates that the Task Force will complete:
 
  • A comprehensive review of current building code requirements as they relate to prevention of the transmission of diseases and other serious health concerns and develop suggested revisions to current code requirements based upon this assessment.
 
  • A comprehensive review of existing guides, executive orders, white papers, and reports and standards as they relate to design standards, preparedness, health considerations, and tools for operating buildings during a pandemic.
 
  • An Identification of best practices and guides to address the design and configuration of new and existing buildings.
 
  • A comprehensive package of public information materials.
 
AGA staff brings to the Task Force, its work with the ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force covering residential building measures to prevent spread of airborne and surface distributed pathogens, including general guidance for residential HVAC design and operation, guidance for residences with infected occupants, and guidance for protecting high-risk household members.
AHRI Releases December 2020 Heating and Cooling Equipment Shipment Data.
For those interested in shipment trends for residential and commercial gas and electric storage type water heaters, residential gas and oil furnaces, electric heat pumps and air-conditioners, click here for the February 12, 2021 Air-Conditioning Heating, & Refrigeration (AHRI) Press Release that provides the December 2020 U.S. Heating and Cooling Equipment Shipment Data. You may also wish to share this information with other groups or individuals within your organization that would be interested in water heater and HVAC equipment shipment trends.
State Codes Activity Update
 
[This is a weekly feature of the “Friday Update” covering state code calendar activities as presented by the online utility “Fiscal Note,” which is sponsored by APGA and AGA Code and Standards. AGA staff continues to request your comments on retaining this feature for future End Use Codes and Standards Update]
 
Recent and Upcoming Activity Alerts
State/Body
Date
Title
Florida
1/12/2021
Florida Building Commission reviews letter to DOE
On January 12, the Florida Building Commission reviewed “Letter of Certification of Equivalence to DOE” – comparing the residential energy portion of the Florida Building Code, 7th Edition, (2020), Energy Conservation, to the Updated Edition of the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). They also received information regarding the Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023).
California
2/2/2021
Building Electrification – CITYWIDE
The City of Santa Cruz posted an explanation of the Building Electrification – CITYWIDE, which is a prohibition of natural gas infrastructure.
Wisconsin
2/8/2021
Commercial Building Code Council distributes ICC Material
The Commercial Building Code Council will hold an update on the distribution of the International Code Council (ICC) Code Materials for Council Members.
Massachusetts
2/9/2021
Board of Building Regulations and Standards to review and vote on adoption schedule for next building code edition
The Board of Building Regulations and Standards will vote on the draft adoption schedule for the next building code edition. They will also discuss the 10th edition progress update.
Ohio
2/9/2021
Code Committee to review and discuss the 2021 IMC and the 2021 IBC Chapter 11 & ICC/ANSI A117.1
The Board of Building Standards Code Committee will review and discuss the 2021 IMC and the 2021 IBC Chapter 11 & ICC/ANSI A117.1.
Massachusetts
2/10/2021
Geotechnical Advisory Committee to review proposed amendments and new content of 2021 IBC, Chapter 18 for the Tenth Edition of the Massachusetts Building Code
The Geotechnical Advisory Committee will review and vote on proposed amendments and new content of 2021 IBC, Chapter 18, for inclusion in the Tenth Edition of the Massachusetts Building Code (780 CMR).
 
 
Recent and Upcoming Code Body Meetings
State
Body
Date
Agenda
Indiana
Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission
03/02/2021
Agenda
Washington
TAG Meeting Fire Code
2/18/2021
Agenda
California
Code Adoption Committee Meeting
2/18/2021
Agenda
California
Commission Meeting
2/18/2021
Agenda
Washington
Building Code Council Legislative Committee
2/12/2021
Agenda
Massachusetts
Geotechnical Advisory Committee (GAC) of the Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS)
2/10/2021
Agenda
Ohio
Code Committee Special Meeting
2/9/2021
Agenda
West Virginia
Fire Commission
2/9/2021
Agenda
Massachusetts
Board of Building Regulations and Standards
2/9/2021
Agenda
 
Bills with Recent Activity
State
Bill #
Bill Title
Primary Sponsor(s)
Last Action
Last  Action Date
SD
HB 1113
Revise certain references to the International Building Code.
Ernie Otten
 
Scheduled for hearing
2/8/2021
This bill amends section 11-10-5. New construction standards–Building code ordinance. It provides that if a governing body of any local unit of government adopts any ordinance prescribing standards for new construction, the ordinance must comply with the 2021 edition of the International Building Code as published by the International Code Council, Incorporated. The governing body may amend, modify, or delete any portion of the International Building Code before enacting such an ordinance. Additional deletions, modifications, and amendments to the municipal ordinance may be made by the governing body and are effective upon their adoption and filing with the municipal finance officer.
FL
FL HB 401
Florida Building Code
Elizabeth Fetterhoff
Now in Regulatory Reform Subcommittee
2/8/2021
This bill provides that assisting living facilities are exempt from certain compliance standards and authorizes a substantially affected person to file a petition with the Florida Building Commission to review local government regulations. It also prohibits local governments from requiring certain contracts for issuance of building permits.
CT
SB 845
AN ACT CONCERNING THE STATE FIRE PREVENTION AND FIRE SAFETY CODES
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security
Public Hearing 02/11
2/5/2021
The bill renames the advisory committee to the Fire Prevention Code Committee. It provides that the state code shall be based on the nationally recognized model fire and life safety codes and shall be revised as deemed necessary to incorporate advances in technologies and improvements in construction materials and any subsequent revisions to the code not later than eighteen months following the date of first publication of such revisions to the code, unless the State Fire Marshal and the committee certify that a revision is not necessary for such purpose. On and after the effective date of the adoption of the 2020 Fire Safety Code, the code shall provide for reasonable safety from fire, smoke and panic therefrom, in all buildings and areas adjacent thereto constructed on and after January 1, 2006, except in private dwellings occupied by one or two families and upon all premises.
VA
HB 2227
Uniform Statewide Building Code; amendments, energy efficiency and conservation
Kaye Kory
Senate: Continued to 2021 Sp. Sess. 1 in General Laws and Technology (14-Y 0-N)
2/5/2021
Requires the Board of Housing and Community Development to adopt amendments to the Uniform Statewide Building Code within one year of publication of a new version of the International Code Council’s International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) to address changes related to energy efficiency and conservation. The bill requires the Board to adopt Building Code standards that are at least as stringent as those contained in the new version of the IECC.
IA
SF 216
A bill for an act relating to the state building code and including effective date provisions.
Joe Bolkcom
Subcommittee: Whiting, Giddens, and Schultz
2/4/2021
The bill requires that the rules adopted by the state building code commissioner, with the approval of the state building code advisory council, conform to the most recent edition of the International Code Council’s International Energy Conservation Code. Additionally, the bill provides that nothing in the state building code shall be construed to prohibit a governmental subdivision from adopting building regulations that contain more stringent energy conservation requirements than those in the state building code. The bill takes effect on the date the ICCl publishes the 2021 edition of the IECC.
NH
SB 15
Relative to ratification of amendments to the state building code
Sharon Carson
Ought to Pass: RC 23Y-1N, MA; OT3rdg; 02/04/2021; SJ 3
2/4/2021
This bill ratifies certain amendments to the state building code and state fire code adopted by the fire marshal and state building code review board in 2015, 2016, 2019, and 2020.
The bill provides that the following amendments shall expire as provided in 2019, 250:4:
I. RE-15-33-18, an amendment to International Residential Code (IRC) 2015, table N1102.1.2, relative to climate zone 6, wood frame wall r-value.
II. RE-15-37-18, an amendment to IRC 2015, section N1101.5, relative to information on construction documents.
III. RE-15-39-18, an amendment to IRC 2015, section N1102.1, relative to the building thermal envelope.
IV. RE-15-40-18, an amendment to IRC 2015, section N1102.4.1.2, relative to testing.
V. RE-15-42-18, an amendment to IRC 2015, section N1103.6, relative to mechanical ventilation.
VI. RE-15-43-18, an amendment to IRC 2015, table N1102.1.2, relative to insulation and fenestration requirements by component.
NE
LB 220
Change applicability provisions for building codes
Justin Wayne
Notice of hearing for February 09, 2021
2/2/2021
This bill adds that for the construction or repair of any building or structure beginning on or after January 1, 2022, which is owned by the state or any state agency, the applicable state agency shall comply with local building and construction codes enacted, administered, or enforced to the extent that such codes meet or exceed the standards of the state building code.
NE
LB 161
Provide for the applicability of state and local construction codes
Senate Committee on Urban Affairs
Notice of hearing for February 09, 2021
2/2/2021
This bill amends section 71-6405, providing that the state building code shall be the legally applicable code in all buildings and structures owned by the state or any state agency regardless of whether the state, state agency, or applicable county, city, or village has provided for the administration or enforcement of the state building code.
NV
SB 33
Revises certain provisions relating to natural resource management. (BDR 47-312)
Senate Committee on Natural Resources
Read for the first time. To committee
2/1/2021
This bill adds Sec. 17. 1, providing that a residential or commercial building must not be constructed, altered, changed or repaired in any area designated by the State Fire Marshal as fire hazardous if the construction uses roofing materials other than fire retardant roofing materials meeting the standards set by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection 5 of NRS 477.030.