Issue No. 6

New Energy Code Hits the Street

Since January 1 of this year revised energy requirements have been adopted for use in new construction. Between January 1 and June 30 2001 projects may utilize either the provisions of the revised Chapter 13 ("Energy Conservation") or the existing chapter. The revised Chapter 13 of the Massachusetts State Building Code is available on the BBRS website (www.state.ma.us/bbrs/) or at the State Bookstore (Room 116 of the State House), and must be used for all projects submitted for permit after June 30. Be aware that amendments to this document have already been issued (see below). The Sullivan Code Group will be offering a one-hour introduction to the new energy code requirements for groups 15 and over at architectural offices beginning March 1. Contact Vernon Woodworth, AIA at avw@rwsullivan.com for more information.

7th Edition of Massachusetts Building Code is in the Making

The State Board of Building Regulations and Standards has begun work on determining the structure and content for the 7th edition of the State Building Code. The 6th edition is based on BOCA -93 and all previous editions have been based on the BOCA format, however, with the formation of the International Code Council and the publication of the International Building Code (IBC) BOCA is no longer an option. The Board of Directors last year unanimously passed a motion supporting the adoption of the International Family of Codes in Massachusetts with a minimum of local amendments. This motion has been communicated to the State Board, and the BSA is working to form coalitions with other interest groups to pursue this outcome. Meanwhile the State Fire Marshal's Office is advocating the adoption of the new NFPA Building Code, a document that has yet to be completed.

BSA Codes Committee Tackles Zoning, Building, and Energy Codes

The BSA Codes Committee will be meeting on Wednesday morning, February 21, at 8:30 in the 5th floor conference room of the Architect's Building at 52 Broad Street to prepare for a full Spring agenda. The main point of discussion will be strategies for the promotion of the IBC as the basis for the 7th edition of the State Building Code in Massachusetts. Also on the agenda will be planning for the March meeting when the Boston Zoning Code will be the subject of discussion. Upcoming meetings in April and May will focus on the new energy code requirements and on the development of revised energy requirements for existing buildings. For more information contact Vernon Woodworth at avw@rwsullivan.com .

Code Amendments Issued

New Amendments to the State Building Code (780 CMR) effective January 19, 2001 are available through the Massachusetts Register, and are now on sale at the State Bookstore. Following is a summary of key amendments:

780 CMR Table 106 and 413.7, Requirement for annual inspection of special amusement buildings (defined in 780 CMR 413.2).

780 CMR 310.2, A definition of 'Lodging House' is added to the Residential Use Group section.

780 CMR 504.2, A building height increase for Use Group R occupancies is now allowed with the installation of an NFPA-13R system when "supervised in accordance with 780 CMR 923.1, method 1,2 or 3, but not to exceed a height of four stories or 60 feet". Formerly height increases were granted only for an NFPA-13 system.

780 CMR 504.6 and 504.7, these sections allow increases in height limitations for Type 3A and 2B construction under certain specific conditions. Like the allowance for R Use Groups utilizing 13R construction these amendments bring the Massachusetts Code back into closer alignment with the BOCA National Code.

780 CMR 707.5.3, Readers of "The Official Newsletter of the Board of Building Regulations and Standards" (also known as 'Codeword') are told in the January 2001 issue that the purpose of this amendment is to "allow for a less costly method of construction of true 'fire walls'". The original text mandated that a fire wall "shall not be supported on the structural frame in buildings of noncombustible construction unless such supporting frame has a fireresistance rating at least equal to that required for the wall". The new (amended) text states that "...such supporting frame and all members, which under fire conditions provide lateral support for the frame..." must have the same rating as the wall. This condition will save costs if a fire wall is being constructed in a Type 2A building, however otherwise it will probably increase projected costs.

780 CMR 914.2: This section formerly required Class III standpipes to be installed where standpipes were required. This amendment changes this requirement to Class I standpipes. Codeword states that this requirement was amended to "relax standpipe requirements". While there is some savings in this change, the intention appears to be to eliminate civilian connections hose cabinets in new construction.

780 CMR 2801.2.2, a new table has been added to Chapter 28, Mechanical Systems, specifying minimum distances of air intakes from grade, streets, and traffic areas. This section is intended to improve indoor air quality.

3603.16.8.1, in one- and two- family dwellings non-required alarm notification appliances are no longer required to activate required smoke detectors.

The bulk of the amendments to the building code are in the revised Chapter 13 "Energy Conservation". Here is a brief overview of some of the key revisions:

780 CMR 1304.1.2, a fourth exception has been added to the moisture control requirements in 1304.1.2 with regard to pre-engineered metal buildings.

1304.2.7, perhaps the most controversial requirement in the new energy section, that the entire area of a slab on grade shall be insulated with a minimum of R-5 rigid insulation, has been relaxed This requirement now only applies to "buildings of use group EW, including daycare; buildings of use group R-1, R-2, I-1 and I-2, and college and university buildings of B and A Use groups". The same revision has occurred in section 1304.2.8, "Slabs Below Grade". An additional requirement has been added, however, for insulation placed on the inside of a foundation wall, that in addition to extending downward to at least the bottom of the slab the insulation must then extend horizontally for a minimum total distance of at least 48 inches.

780 CMR 1304.2.9, Below Grade Walls, now requires that insulation always extend "from the top of the wall to the depth of the bottom of the floor slab". This requirement used to read "to a depth of 10 ft. below the outside finish ground level, or to the depth of the bottom of the floor slab, whichever is greater".

780 CMR 1304.3.4, which previously applied only to stairwell and elevator lobby doors, now requires all "doors and access openings leading to shafts, chutes, stairwells, and elevator lobbies shall either meet the requirements of 780 CMR 1304.3.3 or shall be equipped with weatherseals. (1304.3.3 sets air leakage limits for fenestration). An exception has been added stating that weatherseals are not required on elevator doors when a smoke control system is present.

A major architectural impact of the new code is the requirement for vestibules wherever a door separates conditioned space from the exterior. An exception to this requirement for doors that open directly from a space less than 2,000 s.f. has been amended and now exempts doors that open from a space less than 3,000 s.f. (780 CMR 1304.3.6).

780 CMR 1304.3.7, the requirement air-tight operable dampers be activated by the building fire alarm system has been removed from this section.

780 CMR 1309.1, this section formerly described "Building Design by Systems Analysis" for commercial or high rise residential buildings only. The new section does not limit the application of this method to any specific building type(s).

Publication of the Sullivan Code Group Newsletter occurs 4-5 times a year. If you would prefer not to receive this occasional update on code issues, or if you would like to add your name to the subscription list, please contact Vernon Woodworth at avw@rwsullivan.com All comments are welcome.