Update on End Use Codes and Standards: April 16, 2021 | American Society of Gas Engineers

Mark Your Calendar: BECS Committee to Hold Virtual Meeting on Wednesday, May 12^th from 11 am to 3 pm EDT——Details to Follow

International Code Council (ICC) Beings the 2021 Committee Action Hearings – View On Line.

The International Code Council Committee Action Hearings started this past Monday, April 11 and will run through May 5, 2021. This year’s virtual hearings offer AGA members and other natural gas supporters the opportunity to provide input on the proposed code changes to the Group A International Codes (I-Codes) that includes the International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC). The ICC published the 2021 Group A code change agenda that can be accessed at this link. The public can access the live hearings at this site that also includes signing up for testifying on issues of interest. The IFGC hearing is scheduled to begin a noon on Sunday, April 25. BECS Committee members who serve on the IFGC Code Change Committee are Chris Byers, Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Kevin Carney, SoCal Gas, Ralph E. Euchner, Dominion Energy North Carolina, Bill Hamilton, UGI Utilities, Inc., Andrea L. Papageorge, Southern Company Gas, and Jason Stanek, Metropolitan Utilities District. Attached is a list of the AGA positions on the IFGC Code proposals. AGA BECS staff will actively participate in the IFGC hearing as well as other hearings that can impact the direct use of natural gas in homes and businesses. AGA has also submitted a code proposal to the International Plumbing Code (P9-21) that will require insulated copper tracer wires or another approved conductor installed for plastic sewer piping that will help in locating the buried piping and help minimize cross boring incidents with buried natural gas lines. We will provide the results of the Hearings when available.

DOE Issues Preliminary Determination of Energy Savings for Commercial Buildings.

Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that its preliminary determination of energy savings for ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2019, preliminarily affirming that the updated code will increase energy efficiency in commercial buildings. The Department’s analysis, performed by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), reports that it “indicates that buildings meeting Standard 90.1-2019 (as compared to the previous 2016 edition) would result in national average energy savings of approximately:

4.7 percent site energy
4.3 percent source energy
4.3 percent energy cost
4.2 percent carbon emissions “

DOE is inviting public comments within 30 days from publication of this Notice in the Federal Register. By law, DOE is required to issue its determination following the publication of an updated edition of Standard 90.1. Doe reports that “more information, including supplemental energy and cost savings analysis, is available via the DOE Building Energy Codes Program. Learn more “.

AGA BECS staff will be reviewing the analysis and assessing its impact on the direct use of natural gas applications. Once finalized by DOE, by law, states will have two years to adopt this new edition or provide justification why it will not do so.

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.

Recent Code Body Meetings

State	Body	Date	Agenda Link
Minnesota	Minnesota Board of Electricity Meeting	4/13/2021	Agenda
Florida	Florida Building Commission Meeting	4/13/2021	Agenda
Arkansas	Arkansas Fire Protection Licensing Board Meeting	4/13/2021	Agenda
Idaho	Idaho Building Code Board Meeting	4/13/2021	Agenda
Louisiana	Louisiana State Mineral and Energy Board Meeting	4/14/2021	Agenda
California	California Energy Commission Meeting	4/14/2021	Agenda
Connecticut	Connecticut Code and Standards Committee Meeting	04/14/2021	N/A
Georgia	Georgia Energy, Residential, and Building Amendments Subcommittee Meeting	4/14/2021	Agenda
Michigan	Michigan Construction Code Commission Meeting	4/14/2021	Agenda
Colorado	Colorado State Electrical/Plumbing Board Joint Stakeholder Meeting	4/14/2021	Agenda
New Mexico	New Mexico Public Regulation Commission Meeting	4/14/2021	Agenda
Massachusetts	Massachusetts Fire Prevention and Fire Protection Advisory Committee Meeting	4/14/2021	Agenda
Oregon	Oregon Board of Boiler Rules Meeting	4/14/2021	Agenda
DC	DC TAG (Fire and Life Safety) Meeting	4/14/2021	Agenda
DC	DC TAG (Mechanical) Meeting	4/14/2021	Agenda

Recent Activity Alerts

Fire

State/Body	Date	Title
Idaho	4/7/2021	Administrative Bulletin, Volume 21-4
Idaho has published the April 7 version of their Administrative Bulletin, Volume 21-4. The bulletin includes an abridged index of all active rulemakings. Rules include Adoption of Pending Fee and Adoption of the International Fire Code.
West Virginia	4/15/2021	Discussion of Amendments
On April 15, the Fire Marshal Legislative and Codes Committee will discuss amendments to rules 87CRS1, 87CSR6 and 87CSR8.

Energy

State/Body	Date	Title
Rhode Island	4/9/2021	Rhode Island Energy Conservation Code Update
Rhode Island filed a proposed rule on April 9 to update the Energy Conservation Code. Among other changes, all references to the IEC 2015 have been changed to the 2018 edition. Public Comments are open until 5/10/2021.

Building

State/Body	Date	Title
Massachusetts	4/8/2021	Climate Policy Bill Enactment
On April 13, the Board of Building Regulations and Standards will discuss the Climate Policy bill enactment. They will also discuss and vote on the 10th edition progress update by reviewing the IMC and IBC.
Rhode Island	4/9/2021	Rhode Island Property Maintenance Code Update
Rhode Island filed a proposed rule on April 9 to update the Property Maintenance Code. Among other changes, all references to the IPMC 2015 have been changed to the 2018 edition. Public Comments are open until 5/10/2021.
Rhode Island	4/9/2021	Rhode Island Building Code Update
Rhode Island filed a proposed rule on April 9 to update the Building Code. Among other changes, all references to the IBC 2015 have been changed to the 2018 edition. Public Comments are open until 5/10/2021.
Rhode Island	4/9/2021	Rhode Island State One and Two Family Dwellings Code Update
Rhode Island filed a proposed rule on April 9 to update the One and Two-Family Code. Among other changes, all references to the IRC 2015 have been changed to the 2018 edition. Public Comments are open until 5/10/2021.
Wisconsin	4/12/2021	SPS Suggested Code Changes
On April 12, the Commercial Building Code Council will discuss SPS Suggested Code Changes. Specifically, the Council will review SPS 366 – Existing Buildings.
Hawaii	4/20/2021	2018 International Building Code
On April 20, the State Building Council will hear a report from the Subcommittee of Building Officials on the 2018 IBC amendment package and possibly vote to approve.

Miscellaneous

State/Body	Date	Title
Rhode Island	4/9/2021	Rhode Island Electrical Code Update
Rhode Island filed a proposed rule on April 9 to update the Electrical Code. Among other changes, all references to the NEC 2017 have been changed to the 2020 edition. Public Comments are open until 5/10/2021.
Rhode Island	4/9/2021	Rhode Island Fuel Gas Code Update
Rhode Island filed a proposed rule on April 9 to update the Fuel Gas Code. Among other changes, all references to the IFGC 2015 have been changed to the 2018 edition. Public Comments are open until 5/10/2021.
Rhode Island	4/9/2021	Rhode Island Swimming Pool and Spa Code Update
Rhode Island filed a proposed rule on April 9 to update the Swimming Pool and Spa Code. Among other changes, all references to the ISPSC 2015 have been changed to the 2018 edition. Public Comments are open until 5/10/2021.
Rhode Island	4/9/2021	Rhode Island Plumbing Code Update
Rhode Island filed a proposed rule on April 9 to update the Plumbing Code. Among other changes, all references to the IPC 2015 have been changed to the 2018 edition. Public Comments are open until 5/10/2021.
Rhode Island	4/9/2021	Rhode Island Mechanical Code Update
Rhode Island filed a proposed rule on April 9 to update the Mechanical Code. Among other changes, all references to the IMC 2015 have been changed to the 2018 edition. Public Comments are open until 5/10/2021.
Minnesota	4/13/2021	2020/2023 NEC Adoption Update
On April 13, the Board of Electricity will discuss an update on both the 2020 NEC Adoption and the 2023 NEC Adoption.
Oregon	4/14/2021	2021 Oregon Boiler and Pressure Vessel Specialty Code
The Building Codes Division announced that they are currently working with the Board of Boiler Rules to adopt the next edition of the 2021 Oregon Boiler and Pressure Vessel Specialty Code. They will hold a public Code Review meeting on April 14.

Bills with Recent Activity

State	Bill #	Bill Title	Primary Sponsor	Last Action	Date
OR	HB 2398	Relating to building codes	Ken Helm, Michael Dembrow, Lee Beyer	Work Session scheduled	4/12/2021
The bill requires Director of Department of Consumer and Business Services to ensure that the statewide Reach Code mandates achievement of not more than 90 percent of site energy use that other statewide residential and commercial building codes require. Also permits a municipality to adopt Reach Code and require adherence to code as minimum construction standard and method within municipality’s jurisdiction.
TX	SB 1210	Substitutes for hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants	Nathan Johnson, Paul Bettencourt	Placed on local & uncontested calendar	4/9/2021
Adds a new subchapter providing that a building code or other requirement applicable to commercial or residential buildings or construction may not prohibit the use of a substitute refrigerant.
ID	H 143	Building Codes Act – Mass Timber	House Committee on Business	Reported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to Senate	4/9/2021
Adds to existing law to require the building code board to adopt certain International Building Code provisions allowing for the use of mass timber.
CA	AB 113	Electric vehicles: building standards: tax credits.	Tasha Boerner Horvath	Re-referred to Com. on H. & C.D.	4/8/2021
This bill, commencing with the next triennial edition of the California Building Standards Code after January 1, 2022, would revise these requirements to, instead, require the commission to adopt, approve, codify, and publish mandatory building standards for the electric vehicle charging stations, as defined, in multifamily dwellings and nonresidential development. The bill would also revise these requirements to, instead, require HCD to propose mandatory building standards for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations with Level 2 or higher electric vehicle supply equipment in multifamily dwellings.
State	Bill #	Bill Title	Primary Sponsor	Last Action	Date
CA	SB 68	Building decarbonization	Josh Becker	Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on E., U. & C.	4/8/2021
This bill would require the Energy Commission to develop and publish on its internet website a guide for electrification of buildings and to submit to the Legislature a report on barriers to electrifying existing buildings and to adding energy storage or vehicle charging equipment to existing buildings.
TX	HB 738	Relating to the residential building codes of municipalities	Dennis Paul	Read 3rd time – Passed First Chamber	4/8/2021
The bill adds that a municipality may establish procedures to adopt local amendments to the International Residential Code that may add, modify, or remove requirements set by the code. The bill also adds subsection (e) to ¬ß214.212 which specifies that a municipality may not adopt a local amendment under Subsection (c) unless the municipality: (1) holds a public hearing on the local amendment before adopting the local amendment; and (2) adopts the local amendment by ordinance.
OK	SB 148	Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission	Dave Rader, Sheila Dills	Passed First Chamber	4/7/2021
This bill relates to the Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission; amending 59 O.S. 2011, Section 1000.21, as amended by Section 2, Chapter 223, O.S.L. 2014 (59 O.S. Supp. 2020, Section 1000.21), which relates to membership of the Commission. The bill would add certain members to the Commission, bringing the totally number of commissioners to 13. It would add one member who is a licensed electrical engineer from a state-recognized professional engineering firm and one member who is a licensed mechanical engineer from a state-recognized professional engineering firm.
MT	SB 178	Prohibiting state building codes from requiring mandatory fire sprinklers	Steve Fitzpatrick	Signed by President	4/7/2021
This bill adds that the department may not include in the state building code a requirement for the installation of a fire sprinkler system in a single-family dwelling or a residential building that contains no more than two dwelling units.
State	Bill #	Bill Title	Primary Sponsor	Last Action	Date
NH	HB 72	State Building Code and State Fire Code Amendments	Carol McGuire	Referred to Executive Departments and Administration	4/7/2021
“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.”
CT	SB 845	State Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Codes	Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security	Referred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/12/21	4/5/2021
The bill renames the Advisory Committee to the Fire Prevention Code Committee. It also 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.

Recent Regulations

State	Publication Date	Type	Title
ID	4/7/2021	Notice	Rules Of Building Safety (Building Code Rules)
The rule would amend the building codes adopted in IDAPA 24.39.30.004. Pursuant to House Bill 143, amendments would include adoption of the provisions of the 2021 International Building Code related to mass timber construction, including permitting mass timber construction types IV-A, IV-B, and IV-C and their corresponding maximum heights and fire safety features, which will allow Idaho builders to use mass timber in commercial and residential construction.