The Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) will be holding its final public hearing before adopting the 10th Edition of 780 CMR (MA State Building Code). (more…)
The Board of Fire Prevention Regulations voted to approve the Amendments to 527 CMR 12.00 (Massachusetts Electrical Code based on the 2023 edition of NFPA 70 National Electrical Code). The 2023 Massachusetts Electrical Code is in effect as of February 17, 2023. See below for a link to the unofficial 2023 Massachusetts Electrical Code: (more…)
Members of the Board of Building Regulations & Standards (BBRS) votes November 7, 2020 as the end of the concurrency period for the Ninth Edition Amendment to the Energy Code based on the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). (more…)
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure Office of Public Safety and Inspections – Memo Released.
At its July 14, 2020 meeting, the Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) approved the filing of an emergency regulation to extend the concurrency period of the updated energy code based on the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code as amended (Energy Code) from August 7, 2020 to November 7, 2020. (more…)
The Secretary of State has assigned February 7, 2020, as the effective date for the adoption of the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) with Massachusetts amendments. In updating the 9th edition energy code, the BBRS actions included granting time to adjust to the updated code. For this reason, the BBRS voted that building permit applicants can elect to utilize the energy code provision in the 2015 IECC along with the Massachusetts amendments until August 7, 2020, at which time this option will conclude. (more…)
As you may be aware, late last year Congress extended the $1,000 tax credit for each ENERGY STAR home completed through 2020 and made the credit retroactive to include homes completed in 2018 and 2019. During this period, we launched Version 2 of the ENERGY STAR requirements. SBRA is currently developing program rules that will apply to Version 2 homes. We will post information as it becomes available. (more…)
Please be aware of the definition and egress requirements of a habitable attic as it relates to dwellings built from the 2012 IRC. The 2009 and 2015 IRC verbiage is similar and still applicable. Attics that meet the size and ceiling height criteria of the “Habitable Attic” definition in Chapter 2 are considered habitable. This is applicable to finished and unfinished spaces. Habitable attics require a vertical access and emergency escape and rescue opening. Vertical access can be a fixed internal stair, ramp, or exterior stair. (more…)