Public Meeting Notice  BBRS Energy Advisory Committee Meeting - 5.18.26

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In accordance with the provisions of G.L. c. 30A § 20, notice is hereby given that the Board of Building Regulations and Standards 11^th Edition Energy Advisory Subcommittee will be convening a regular meeting. 

If you need reasonable accommodation to participate in the meeting, please reach out to Cheryl Yebba at 617- 701-8711. The Agency will make best efforts to accommodate requests received in a timely manner.

In accordance with the provisions of G.L. c. 30A § 20, the Board of Building Regulations and Standards Energy Advisory Committee convened a regular monthly meeting on:

Microsoft Teams Meeting May 18^th, 2026

The topics shown below were discussed at the aforementioned meeting: 10:02 AM Chair Ian Finlayson called the open meeting to order.

Informational note: All votes were taken by roll call whereby each member was called on to record their vote. Where each member voted in favor, the vote will be reported as unanimous.

Committee Members Present:

• Ian Finlayson, DOER
• Rebecca Ansolabehere, Mechanical Engineer
• Michael Browne, HERS Rater
• Nathan Darling, Municipal Building Official
• Tarica Leskiw, BBRS Member
• Paulette McGhie, RESNET Members
• Brianna Skowyra, DOL Members
• Rebecca Rahmlow, Architect (joined at 10:06 AM)

Committee Members Absent:

• Vineet Nair, BBRS Member

DOL Members Present:

• Tammy Gropman, Executive Director
• Charles Kilb, Senior Board Counsel

Acknowledged Public Attendees:

• Shilpa Surana, DOER

1. Reviewed Meeting Minutes for April 27^th, 2026
2. Nathan Darling motioned to approve meeting minutes, seconded by Brianna Skowyra. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, Tarica Leskiw abstained. Motion passed with majority.
3. Stretch Energy Code Public Comment Update
4. Members received an update regarding proposed amendments to the Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Code. Chair Finlayson explained that the proposed changes are limited in scope and are primarily intended to address district energy systems such as university campuses, hospital systems, and downtown steam networks. 
5. Chair Finlayson noted that additional revisions may also be included, along with minor updates related to accessory dwelling units, but emphasized that the existing HERS requirements and Specialized Code framework would remain largely unchanged. 
6. Members were informed that the proposed amendments were expected to be posted publicly on the DOER website following approval for public comment. Chair Finlayson stated that the public hearing was anticipated for June 16^th, 2026, and the public comment deadline was expected to occur on June 24^th, 2026. 
7. Reviewed and Voted Code Change Proposal Forms and Front-End Amendments
   1. IECC 2024 C401
      1. Members reviewed proposed front-end amendment language for IECC Section C401 concerning allowable compliance pathways under the Massachusetts commercial energy code. 
      2. Chair Finlayson explained that the amendments would continue allowing compliance through the IECC prescriptive path or ASHRAE 90.1 while also permitting base code communities to voluntarily comply with the Stretch Energy Code. Members discussed carrying forward existing Massachusetts requirements for EV-ready infrastructure and solar-ready provisions from prior code editions. 
      3. Members reviewed amendments replacing the IECC simulated performance path with Massachusetts-specific pathways utilizing HERS Index compliance for residential buildings and Passive House methodologies for whole-building performance compliance.
      4. Members further discussed retaining site energy comparisons for ASHRAE Appendix G modeling in place of energy cost comparisons in order to better align with emissions-related goals and avoid complications associated with changing energy prices. Members discussed that multifamily reference values had been added to Appendix G tables because the model code lacked default multifamily window-to-wall ratio assumptions. Members generally agreed that the proposed amendments largely reflected continuation of existing Massachusetts practices rather than major new policy changes.
8. Nathan Darling motioned to approve proposed language for discussion, seconded by Michael Browne. Nathan Darling amended motion to recommend the proposed C401 language to the BBRS, seconded by Tarica Leskiw. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously.
9. IECC 2024 C406
   1. Members continued discussion regarding proposed amendments to IECC Section C406 concerning additional efficiency package options. The Committee reviewed efforts to simplify the structure of the code by reducing the number of climate-zone and occupancy-specific tables and consolidating them into broader building categories. Members discussed simplifying the point structure while preserving flexibility for designers and owners. Chair Finlayson explained that the proposed framework would reduce the number of optional measures while still maintaining meaningful compliance choices.
      1. Members discussed proposed revisions to the renewable energy compliance option. Chair Finlayson explained that the Massachusetts proposal would replace the IECC gross-floor-area formula with a methodology currently used in the Massachusetts Specialized Code based on the conditioned floor area of the three largest floors of the building. Members noted that the revised approach was intended to better accommodate high-rise construction where roof area limitations can make solar compliance difficult. Members discussed clarifying the language associated with “rated capacity” and whether the provision should instead be presented as an equation to improve readability and enforceability. Members generally agreed that the equation format would provide greater clarity for users and enforcement officials.
      2. Members also discussed proposed renewable energy exceptions for buildings with high ventilation demands and limited roof area availability. Members explained that these exceptions were largely carried forward from existing Stretch and Specialized Code provisions developed in response to stakeholder feedback from laboratories and healthcare facilities.
      3. Members further reviewed the remaining efficiency package options, including HVAC load management controls, automated shading systems, battery storage, chilled water storage, and service hot water storage. Chair Finlayson explained that certain options, including lighting load management and thermal mass provisions, were proposed for removal because they were either redundant with other measures or unlikely to provide meaningful benefit within Massachusetts climate conditions. Members discussed the broader intent of simplifying the compliance framework while retaining flexibility and cost-effective energy savings strategies. Members stated that additional cleanup and formatting work would occur before the section returned for a formal vote at a future meeting.
10. Review/Discuss/Vote 2024 IECC Commercial Chapters
    1. IECC 2024 C403
       1. Members reviewed proposed amendments to IECC Section C403 concerning mechanical systems. Shilpa Surana explained that the amendments incorporated a combination of 2024 IECC language and selected provisions from the draft 2027 IECC where the newer language was considered clearer, more cost-effective, or better aligned with ASHRAE standards. Shilpa noted that much of the proposed work focused on ventilation systems, energy recovery systems, fan power limitations, and duct leakage testing.
       2. Members discussed proposed revisions to demand control ventilation requirements. Shilpa Surana explained that the draft 2027 IECC shifts demand control ventilation thresholds away from occupant density calculations and toward outdoor airflow metrics tied to ASHRAE 62.1 requirements. Nathan Darling raised question regarding the use of the term “high occupancy areas” without a corresponding definition and emphasized the need for clearer enforceable language for plan review and permitting purposes. Members discussed whether additional definitions should be incorporated into Chapter 2 in order to clarify applicability.
       3. Members also discussed balancing tolerances and airflow verification concerns associated with minimum outdoor air requirements. Discussion focused on the practical challenges of verifying exact minimum airflow setpoints in the field and the need to account for real-world system variability and balancing tolerances. Members discussed whether language allowing airflow rates to exceed minimum design airflow requirements by a defined percentage would improve enforceability and operational reliability.
       4. Members reviewed proposed amendments concerning Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems (DOAS). Chair Finlayson explained that DOAS systems consistently received high efficiency scores within the IECC point structure and therefore proposed relocating the provisions from optional efficiency credits into mandatory prescriptive requirements. Members discussed requirements concerning integrated fan controls, minimum outdoor air delivery, economizer operation, and energy recovery integration. Rebecca Ansolabehere raised questions regarding applicability of the DOAS requirements to existing buildings under Chapter 5, and members discussed the possibility of exemptions for existing building retrofits.
       5. Members discussed revisions to energy recovery ventilation requirements for both dwelling units and nonresidential occupancies. Shilpa Surana explained that several of the proposed revisions aligned the Massachusetts code language with existing Stretch Code provisions and incorporated clarifications requested previously by manufacturers. 
11. Members reviewed proposed language concerning sensible energy recovery ratios, enthalpy recovery requirements, outdoor air delivery provisions, and AHRI testing standards. Shilpa Surana explained that some proposed amendments extended moisture recovery requirements into Massachusetts climate conditions despite the IECC limiting those provisions to warmer climate zones.
12. Members reviewed proposed updates to fan power limitation calculations originating from draft 2027 IECC provisions and ASHRAE 90.1 development work. Shilpa Surana explained that the revisions reduced the threshold at which fan power limitations apply, expanded applicability to smaller systems, and shifted calculations from motor horsepower to total fan system electrical input power. Members discussed updated supply and exhaust fan allowance tables and reviewed associated new definitions and test procedures that would later be incorporated into Chapter 6 reference standards and Chapter 2 definitions.
13. Members additionally discussed new duct leakage testing requirements for central ventilation and exhaust systems operating below three inches of static pressure. Shilpa Surana explained that the proposed requirements were intended to reduce unnecessary fan energy consumption associated with leakage in continuously operating ventilation systems. Members reviewed testing thresholds, documentation requirements, and applicability criteria associated with the proposal.
14. Members noted that additional formatting and cleanup of the front-end amendment language would occur prior to the next meeting and recommended postponing formal votes on Sections C403 and C406 until members had additional time to review the proposed revisions. Members also noted that future review of Chapter 6 reference standards and Chapter 5 existing building provisions would depend upon final decisions regarding the incorporation of draft 2027 IECC provisions.
15. IECC 2024 Chapter 6
    1. No items were discussed. 
16. Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated 48 Hours in Advance of Meeting
17. Chair Finlayson introduced topic of matters not reasonably anticipated 48 hours in advance of meeting. Members noted the next two meeting dates would be June 1^st, 2026, and June 15^th, 2026.
18. Adjournment – The next meeting will be held on June 1^st, 2026. 
19. Michael Browne motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Nathan Darling. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously. 
20. Meeting adjourned at 11: 53 AM.

Items Relied Upon

• Meeting Agenda
• Draft Meeting Minutes
• 2024 IECC Chapters 4 with possible amendments

It is anticipated that the topics shown below will be discussed at the aforementioned meeting: 

1. Review/Vote Minutes of the following meetings: 
   1. Energy Advisory minutes from April 27, 2026
2. Update Stretch Energy Code Public Comment
3. Review/Discuss/ Vote Code Change Proposal Forms and Front-End Amendments
   1. IECC 2024 C401
   2. IECC 2024 C406
4. Review/Discuss/Vote 2024 IECC Commercial Chapters
   1. IECC 2024 C403
   2. IECC 2024 Chapter 6
5. Discuss matters not reasonably anticipated by the chair, 48 hours in advance of the meeting

Adjournment – the next scheduled meeting is June 1, 2026