Public Meeting Notice  BBRS Energy Advisory Committee Meeting - 6.22.26

Microsoft Teams meeting link and dial-in number

Microsoft Teams Meeting Link 

Meeting ID: 268 567 461 008 39 

Passcode: pZ7Qk78z 

Need help? | System reference 

Dial in to the meeting 

Meeting phone number:+1 857-327-9245,,569962377# United States, Boston

Find a local number 

Phone conference ID: 569 962 377#

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 June 22nd, 2026

The topics shown below were discussed at the aforementioned meeting: 10:27 AM Chair Ian Finlayson called the open meeting to order.

Informational note: All votes were taken by roll call. 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
• Paulette McGhie, RESNET Members
• Rebecca Rahmlow, Architect

Committee Members Absent:

• Nathan Darling, Municipal Building Official
• Tarica Leskiw, BBRS Member
• Vineet Nair, BBRS Member
• Brianna Skowyra, DOL Members

DOL Members Present:

• Charles Kilb, Senior Board Counsel
• Andrew Chase, Associate Executive Director

Acknowledged Public Attendees:

• Shilpa Surana, DOER

1. Reviewed and Voted Minutes for May 18^th, 2026
   1. Staff noted meeting minutes were drafted however the subcommittee was not provided much time to review, thus the minutes will be reviewed at the next meeting. 
2. Reviewed, Discussed, Voted Code Change Proposal Forms and Front-End Amendments
3. IECC 2024 C402

• Members reviewed proposed amendments to IECC Section C402 relating to the commercial building envelope, with discussion centered on roof insulation calculations, thermal bridging, cold-formed steel framing, spandrel panels, and window performance requirements

. 

• Members discussed proposed revisions to Section C402.1.2.1 concerning tapered above-deck insulation and raised concerns regarding new 2024 IECC language that permits averaging insulation thickness to determine roof assembly R-values. Several members expressed concern that averaging insulation thickness could underestimate heat loss, particularly at roof drains and other locations where insulation is thinnest, potentially increasing condensation and moisture risks.
• The committee reviewed proposed amendments to Section C402.1.3.2, which would instead retain the Massachusetts Stretch Code approach by requiring compliance calculations to use insulation thickness measured at one inch greater than the minimum roof insulation thickness. Members discussed whether an area-weighted U-factor calculation would provide a more accurate representation of thermal performance and suggested additional clarification or alternative language to improve consistency with building science principles.
• Members also reviewed proposed changes eliminating the new 2024 IECC default calculation methods for cold-formed steel frame walls and spandrel panels, expressing concern that the default thermal bridge assumptions do not align with Massachusetts practice or more comprehensive thermal bridge calculations. Discussion also addressed retaining the Massachusetts commercial window U-factor requirements from the 10th Edition rather than adopting the less stringent 2024 IECC values. Members agreed additional revisions were needed before final action. 

2. IECC 2024 C403

• Members reviewed proposed amendments to Section C403, focusing on adopting selected provisions from the draft 2027 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2025 rather than the 2024 IECC language.
• Discussion included proposed revisions to Section C403.7.1 governing demand control ventilation (DCV). Members reviewed replacing the existing occupancy-based threshold with outdoor airflow thresholds expressed as cfm per 1,000 square feet, aligning the requirements with ASHRAE Standard 62.1 ventilation calculations. Members discussed how the revised compliance table would be applied for Massachusetts Climate Zone 5A.
• Members also reviewed proposed additions requiring dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS) under Section C403.7.4, expansion of energy recovery ventilation (ERV) requirements, clarification of sensible energy recovery ratio testing requirements, increasing minimum sensible recovery efficiency from 65 percent to 67 percent, and removing climate zone exceptions that do not apply to Massachusetts.
• The committee discussed proposed revisions to fan power limitations, fan system controls, ventilation fan efficacy, and updates derived from the 2027 IECC. Members also reviewed proposed changes expanding duct leakage testing requirements to additional ventilation systems while raising questions regarding testing methodology and representative duct sampling. Members suggested clarifying what constitutes representative sections of ductwork and referenced ENERGY STAR language as a possible model. Members agreed further technical review and additional edits were needed before the package would be ready for approval. 

3. IECC 2024 C405

• Members discussed updating interior and exterior lighting power allowances using more recent ASHRAE values rather than the 2024 IECC tables. The proposal would also eliminate the off-site renewable energy compliance pathway while retaining on-site renewable provisions and align electric vehicle infrastructure requirements with the existing Massachusetts Specialized Stretch Energy Code using a less stringent base code requirement consistent with the IECC. Because related Chapter 4 amendments remained under review, members agreed to continue work on Section C405 before taking formal action. 

4. IECC 2024 C406

• Members continued their review of proposed revisions to Section C406, which substantially simplify the existing additional efficiency package options. Members discussed replacing the numerous climate zone- and occupancy-specific compliance tables with two simplified tables while maintaining equivalent overall stringency. The proposal would retain envelope, HVAC, water heating, renewable load management, and other efficiency options while introducing embodied carbon measures as additional compliance choices.
• The committee discussed proposed commercial kitchen efficiency measures, including requiring 75 percent of permanently installed cooktop heating elements to be induction, while retaining efficiency requirements for electric fryers, ovens, steam cookers, and dishwashers based on referenced performance standards. Members raised questions regarding how a "commercial kitchen" should be defined, whether a minimum kitchen size should be established before projects qualify for these credits, and whether additional language should clarify when the credits apply.
• Members also reviewed residential kitchen provisions applicable to Group R-1 and Group R-2 occupancies, discussing whether the proposed 75 percent induction requirement should instead require full electrification and whether references to older ENERGY STAR Most Efficient criteria should be updated to current standards.
• Members concluded that additional work was needed on commercial kitchen applicability, residential ENERGY STAR references, and related language before final action.

3. Review/Discuss Code Proposal - NAIOP Electric Vehicle Code Proposal submitted by T. Small and A. Daou
4. Members briefly discussed the electric vehicle infrastructure proposal submitted by T. Small and A. Daou. Because the proponents were not present, the committee deferred substantive discussion. Members noted that the applicants had indicated they were no longer pursuing amendments to the current 10th Edition language and anticipated returning to the proposal after completing work on the committee's replacement EV language. 
5. Review/Discuss 2024 IECC Commercial Chapter 5 Existing Buildings
6. Members reviewed the major changes introduced in Chapter 5 governing existing buildings, additions, alterations, and changes of occupancy. Discussion focused on how Chapter 5 now incorporates the additional efficiency credit requirements contained in Section C406 for existing building projects.
   1. Members discussed the applicability thresholds contained in Section C502 for additions, including the requirement that additions larger than 1,000 square feet comply with portions of Section C406, and expressed concern that these thresholds may create unnecessary complexity for relatively small projects. Members discussed replacing cost-based compliance triggers with simpler, size-based thresholds and simplifying the compliance structure by requiring completion of a single efficiency measure rather than using multiple point calculations.
   2. The committee also reviewed new renewable energy requirements for additions, change-of-use provisions based on energy use intensity classifications, and the substantial improvement provisions governing alterations under Section C503. Members questioned whether the newly introduced high-, medium-, and low-energy use intensity categories add meaningful value and noted inconsistencies, including examples where Group R-2 occupancies would not trigger certain water heating upgrades despite substantial changes in building use.
   3. Members reviewed expanded provisions for building envelope alterations, mechanical systems, lighting controls, and duct leakage testing, noting that the chapter contains substantial new language requiring further review. Staff indicated they would continue simplifying Chapter 5 and prepare a more streamlined draft for the committee's next meeting. 
7. Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated 48 Hours in Advance of Meeting
   1. No matters were discussed. 
8. Adjournment – The next meeting will be held on July 27^th, 2026. 
9. Michael Browne motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Rebecca Rahmlow. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously. 
10. Meeting adjourned at 11:58 AM.

Items Relied Upon

• Meeting Agenda
• Draft Meeting Minutes
• 2024 IECC Chapters 4 with possible amendments
• NAIOP Electric Vehicle Code Proposal

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 May 18, 2026
2. Review/Discuss/ Vote Code Change Proposal Forms and Front-End Amendments
   1. IECC 2024 C402
   2. IECC 2024 C406
   3. IECC 2024 C403
   4. IECC 2024 C405
3. Review/Discuss Code Proposal
   1. NAIOP Electric Vehicle Code Proposal submitted by T. Small and A. Daou
4. Review/Discuss 2024 IECC Commercial Chapter 5 Existing Buildings
5. Discuss matters not reasonably anticipated by the chair, 48 hours in advance of the meeting

Adjournment – the next scheduled meeting is July 27, 2026