Issue No. 9

Massachusetts Architectural Access Board Issues Amendments

A series of proposed amendments to 521 CMR, the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board Regulations, is available for downloading at the MAAB website, www.state.ma.us/aab/ . Public hearings regarding these amendments will be held as follows: November 1st (Worcester), November 2nd (Hyannis), and November 6th (Boston). Debbie Ryan, Executive Director of the MAAB will be the guest speaker at the December 19th meeting of the BSA Codes Committee to discuss the promulgation and enforcement of access regulations. See schedule below for more information.

Department of Housing and Community Development Building Code Subcommittee approves Recommendations for Codes and Permits

After studying the code enforcement and permitting structures in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to identify barriers to the construction of new housing units the Department of Housing and Community Development has accepted recommendations from its Building Code Subcommittee which could have a significant impact on the future of the construction industry in Massachusetts. These recommendations include: 1) the creation of a code coordinating council at the state level to coordinate all construction codes and the process for the promulgation of regulations, licensing, inspections and appeals; 2) require minimum training and continuing education requirements for local officials, regulators and design professionals; 3) use current technology to make code compliance and enforcement a more user-friendly efficient process; 4) increase funding and staffing of local building departments; 5) establish six Regional Building Support Centers under the auspices of the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Fire Services; and 6) provide appropriate training for municipal regulators, planning boards and legal counsels in an effort to prevent the creation of local building codes that represent a barrier to building construction, especially residential development.

New Energy Requirements for Existing Buildings:Draft Released, Comments Sought

The Energy Advisory Committee of the State Board of Building Regulations and Standards
has released draft revisions to the energy conservation section of Chapter 34, governing existing buildings. These proposed requirements are designed to bring Chapter 34 into line with the requirements of the revised Chapter 13, which governs energy conservation for new construction. (To view draft recommendations view attachment to this e-mail.)

Buildings and Codes after September 11

BSA President Robert Brown would like opinions regarding the impact of the September 11th events on future building codes, design, and construction. This topic will be on the agenda of the BSA Codes Committee on October 17th. Please come to share your ideas or send me an e-mail at avw@rwsullivan.com.

BSA Codes Committee Upcoming Schedule:

October 17th Chapter 34: What will it look like in the 7th edition? Also:
Buildings and Codes after September 11th.

November 14th The Future of Existing Building Codes (at BuildBoston)
B79 6-7:30 PM
Introduction to the New Jersey Rehabilitation Subcode and the ICC
International Existing Building Code. Discussion of what to incorporate into Massachusetts= Chapter 34.

December 19th What=s Up with the Access Code?
Special Guest: Debbie Ryan, Executive Director

January 16, 2002 Construction Control for one- and two-family dwellings:
Is it in the best interest of Architects and the general public?
(Code Amendment Proposal by Anatol Zukerman)

February 20, 2002 New Energy Requirements for Existing Buildings: David Weitz
Special joint meeting with the AGC Codes Committee

All meetings except November 14th are held in the 5th floor conference room of the Architect=s Building at 52 Broad Street in Boston.