BBRS & 10th Edition News

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November 12, 2024

Regular business was discussed and

voted.

Greer Spatz Croxford, general counsel of DPL indicated the action was an emergency amendment  extending the concurrency period to January 30, 2025.

Additionally there will be a public hearing December 2, 2024 for a  vote and promulgation of  the concurrency period until June 30, 2025.

A presentation by Katherine Antos the Undersecretary of Decarbonization and Resilience, EO of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

Asking the BBRS to consider adding a  Resilience Technical Advisory Committee to address matters regarding, flood and heat resilience standards in the building code. The BBRS thanked Ms. Antos and  may address at a future meeting. 

11th edition subcommittee reported progress with several more meetings needed to format full proposal to the Board. Next meeting November 20, 2024.

Solar subcommittee reported good progress, possibly  2 meetings away for proposal to the Board.  Next meeting later in November.

The Board continued discussion of 2 proposed advisories regarding refrigerants, the phasing out of one type and the replacement with a flammable refrigerant, with the impact of this change. Motion made and seconded to adopt a proposal (the text was unavailable to me) 7 in favor 5 opposed.

October 21, 2024

A special meeting was held to discuss the concurrency period for the 10th edition.

Information obtained is the the BBRS voted to extend the concurrence period to June 30, 2025 working within the  regulatory promulgation process.

At the November 12, BBRS meeting Greer Spatz Croxford, general counsel of DPL indicated the action was an emergency amendment  extending the concurrency period to January 30, 2025.

Additionally there will be a public hearing December 2, 2024 for vote and promulgation of  the concurrency period until June 30, 2025.

October 8, 2024

10th edition, as announce will be published October 11, 2024, with concurrency period ending December 31, 2024, Discussion included process for changing concurrency period, this would start a new regulatory filing process as the date is part of the regulation and would likely take longer to implement than the December 31 date.

Various stake holders voice opinions relating to their interest groups both for and against the need to extend the concurrency period.

Charles Kilb counsel for the Board, an emergency amendment not likely as there is not an emergency, there is research to be done exploring other possible options, including appeals to the BCAB for relief, guidance documents, or other in code relief. 

Obtaining copies of the 10th edition

Base volumes purchased from ICC, once posted by Secretary of the Commonwealth, MA amendments available from that office, will be changed from draft to unofficial at BBRS web site, and printed version from State House Bookstore possible a week later. ICC is in discussion for publishing a blended version.

October 8, 2024

 Sub Committees 

11th edition process, recommendation coming along, will present recommendation to Board when completed.

Solar, working through access pathway requirements

Other commits, staff has reached out to pate members for interest on continuing serving, waiting for replies.

A2l refrigerants and mechanical code, possible guidance document on A2L refrigerants revolving around section 102.1 & 104.11. Mechanical code, various options, amend current code, adopt 2024 IMC, amend and adopt 2024 IMC, potential issue with  ASHRAE 22, additional concerns with interplay with chapter 3 and quantities tripping H use groups.

BOCC, processing many form A. credit hours for Building Officials updated 9/23/24 linked here

September 10, 2024

The 10th edition is currently in internal Governor office  A&F review, as soon as it is released it will be filed with the Secretary of State for promulgation. 

Charles Kilb is in weekly contact to  express BBRS concern to move out of A&F, Deputy Director of  DPL is doing what they can to move it forward.

Subcommittees 11the edition and Solar continue to meet. Next meetings scheduled 

11th edition Sept 23 at 11AM

Solar Sept  27 at 9AM

BOCC report out past 2 month of actions, working with training providers to receive and process certification credits

Link to credit hours here

August 2024

No meeting 

Next meeting September 10, 2024

July 9, 2024

The 10th edition is currently in internal Governor office (possibly A&F) review, as soon as it is released it will be filed with the Secretary of State for promulgation. 

The direction of the Board is to had effective date the soonest the Secretary of State can publish in the Register, which comes out every other Friday.

The concurrency period is from date of publication until December 31, 2024. The full effect of the 10th edition is applications received after January 1, 2025.

The 11th edition subcommittee has meet, will be meeting again, hopeful to have recommendation for action in September. Once this is settled other subcommittees will be tasked with work.

The refrigerant subcommittee is to meet and proved recommended for amendment to the 10th edition regard flammable refrigerants for September.

No meeting in August

Next meting September 10th 

The 10th edition is currently in internal DPU review, as soon as it is released it will be filed with the Secretary of State for promulgation. 

The direction of the Board is to had effective date the soonest the Secretary of State can publish in the Register, which comes out every other Friday.

The concurrency period is from date of publication until December 31, 2024. The full effect of the 10th edition is applications received after January 1, 2025.

Amendments considered to the 10th edition.

1) Refrigerants – will vote on proposal in July, enacted after 10 is published

2) Solar setback -- a committee is being formed with Fire Services 

3) Greenhouse –keep current 9th edition language review for 11thedition

4) Manufactures Homes -- a committee is being formed, review for 11th edition

Energy Advisor committee being reconstituted to work with DOER stretch code and base code for the 11th edition.

BOCC is working with staff to update Building Official credit hours. Contact BOCC-MA@mass.gov with you BO number for an accounting of you courses credited.

Next meeting July 9, no meeting in August.

The Board ratified the draft 10th edition and send the finished document to promulgation. 

Next steps; some memos and internal work by DPL, then the document is sent to the Secretary of State for publication. Time line guessing 30 days or so.

The direction the Board is to had effective date the soonest the Secretary of State can publish in the Register, which comes out every other Friday.

The concurrency period is from date of publication until December 31, 2024. Full effect of the 10th edition is applications received after January 1, 2025.

June meeting agenda is consideration of procedures for any amendments to the 10th and 11th edition.

Discussion of process and methodology for review and adopting comments on 10th edition.

The Board received package of 10th edition comments and requested changes  Friday before Tuesday meeting.

The Board to meet remotely Wednesday March 27th 10am to discuss and possibly votes.

Inspectors Continuing Educating Subcommittee  reports and  BBRS votes to accept the report linked here

Tentative hearing dates for the 10 edition

February 14, in person, location TBD 

February 21, Virtual

February 28, in person, location TBD 

Start times 10AM

Stay tuned for updates

Link to proposed draft

Inspectors Continuing Educating Subcommittee  reports and  BBRS votes to accept the report linked here

Andrew Bridges reported continuing education credits to be updated by 

January 19, 2024 

BOCC updating their forms 

The Governor's Office released the draft 10th edition of the Massachusetts  State Building Code Monday December 11, 2023.

 Next Step Public hearings possibly starting week of January 29, 2024

Dates to be announced for  public hearings 1 per week, in person in the Boston and Springfield area, one virtual. 

Inspectors Continuing Educating Subcommittee  reports and  BBRS votes to accept the report linked here