Public Meeting Notice  BBRS Energy Advisory Committee Meeting - 8.10.26

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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 August 10^th, 2026

The topics shown below were discussed at the aforementioned meeting: 10:03 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 - Chair
• Rebecca Ansolabehere
• Nathan Darling
• Paulette McGhie
• Rebecca Rahmlow

Committee Members Absent:

• Michael Browne
• Tarica Leskiw
• Vineet Nair
• Brianna Skowyra

DOL Members Present:

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

Acknowledged Public Attendees:

• Shilpa Surana, DOER

1. Review/Vote Minutes of the following Energy Advisory Meetings: 
   1. July 27, 2026 – It was noted that the minutes were not available for review and would be moved to the next meeting. 
2. Review/Discuss/ Vote Code Change Proposal Forms and Front-End Amendments
   1. IECC 2024 C403
      1. Members reviewed proposed amendments to IECC 2024 Section C403, Building Mechanical Systems, including items that remained open from prior discussions. Members noted that the proposed changes concerning demand control ventilation had generally been resolved and reviewed the relocation of dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) requirements from Section C406 into Section C403. Members also revisited a proposed exception for spaces using dehumidification, under which the primary system would not be required to address latent loads where dehumidification is provided separately. The proposed exception language had not yet been completed. Members further discussed duct leakage testing requirements and a proposed alternative testing method incorporating an Energy Star methodology in addition to the referenced SMACNA method. 
   2. IECC 2024 Commercial Chapter 5
      1. Members reviewed proposed amendments to IECC 2024 Commercial Chapter 5, Existing Buildings, beginning with revisions intended to identify the specific new-construction provisions applicable to existing-building work rather than relying on general references to “this code.” Members reviewed an exception permitting use of the Passive House standard for existing buildings as an alternative compliance pathway and discussed references to Section C401 and the compliance pathways incorporated within that section. Members also reviewed the component performance/UA trade-off provisions and an allowance providing approximately 10 percent flexibility for alterations.
      2. Members discussed the additional energy efficiency credit requirements introduced in the 2024 IECC. The proposed amendments would apply the requirements to additions involving buildings greater than 20,000 square feet, rather than retaining the smaller thresholds contained in the model code. Members discussed that the change would reduce requirements for projects between approximately 1,000 and 20,000 square feet and simplify compliance. Members also reviewed revisions modeled on the approach used for Section C406, replacing the model code’s multiple point tables and weighting provisions with a simplified list of applicable measures. The proposed amendments also removed off-site renewable energy provisions for additions and retained an on-site renewable energy compliance option.
      3. Members reviewed alteration provisions and discussed exceptions applicable to roof, wall, and floor work. Members considered deletion of an existing roof replacement exception because the language regarding insulation integral to or below the structural roof deck was considered unclear. The proposed amendment instead relied on language addressing whether an existing roof, wall, or floor cavity is exposed; where a cavity is exposed, the applicable alteration requirements would apply. Members also reviewed additional Section C401 compliance options for existing buildings undergoing alterations.
      4. Members raised concerns regarding how the relocation of DOAS requirements into Section C403 would affect alterations under Section C503. Members discussed that Section C503 requires new heating, cooling, and related systems installed as part of an alteration to comply with Section C403, which could potentially trigger DOAS requirements during existing-building projects. Members discussed circumstances in which an alteration may replace heating or cooling equipment without replacing or modifying the existing ventilation or duct system and considered whether requiring DOAS in those circumstances could significantly expand the project scope. Members considered adding an exception within Section C503 to clarify when the DOAS provisions of Section C403 apply to alterations. The issue was identified for further review and amendment before the chapter is brought back for a vote.
      5. Members continued reviewing envelope alteration provisions and discussed removal of model-code language considered unclear or difficult to administer. For above-grade wall alterations, members reviewed language requiring localized exposed cavities to be filled with insulation and discussed that the proposed language would provide a clearer and more readily inspectable requirement than language requiring conformance with new-construction insulation levels where the existing cavity may not accommodate those levels. Similar revisions were reviewed for floor alterations.
      6. Members reviewed the additional energy efficiency requirements applicable to alterations under Section C503. Members discussed the 2024 IECC “substantial improvement” trigger, described during the meeting as applying where the cost of an alteration exceeds 50 percent of the building’s assessed value. The proposed Massachusetts amendment would add a second threshold requiring the building to exceed 20,000 square feet before the additional efficiency requirements apply. Members discussed simplifying the compliance options by requiring one qualifying efficiency, renewable energy, or demand-management measure rather than applying the multiple point tables used in Section C406. Members specifically reviewed the proposed existing-building air leakage testing measure, under which compliance would be achieved at less than 0.7 cfm/ft², compared with 0.35 cfm/ft² for the corresponding new-construction provision.
      7. Members also reviewed repairs and change-of-occupancy provisions. For changes of occupancy, members discussed deleting the 2024 IECC framework that categorizes occupancies by low, medium, and high energy use intensity and instead directing changes of occupancy to the alteration requirements of Section C503. Members discussed that this approach would avoid requiring code officials and designers to determine the new energy-use-intensity classifications while maintaining the existing approach of addressing changes that increase energy use. Members also reviewed an alternative existing-building compliance pathway carried forward from the stretch code. 
   3. IECC 2024 Commercial Chapter 6 
      1. Members reviewed IECC 2024 Commercial Chapter 6, Referenced Standards, and discussed updating referenced editions where newer standards have already been vetted through development of the 2027 IECC. Members noted that the proposed revisions generally update the edition year of individual standards where a newer edition is available, while recognizing that the various standards operate on different publication cycles. Members also reviewed changes in which certain standards previously identified with ANSI are now promulgated through CSA and discussed updated ASHRAE and RESNET references.
         1. Members discussed whether references to other ICC codes that Massachusetts will separately adopt should be updated to the 2027 edition or remain tied to the applicable 2024 edition. Members discussed retaining the 2024 reference for the International Mechanical Code because Massachusetts is expected to adopt the 2024 code as part of the same code-development process. Members also reviewed the reference to NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, and noted that Massachusetts amendments generally replace NFPA 70 citations with 527 CMR 12. Members discussed that, if an NFPA 70 reference remains necessary, the 2026 NEC would likely be the appropriate edition rather than the 2023 edition. Members agreed that the cross-references should be checked before action is taken.
3. Review/Discuss IECC Commercial Chapters
   1. IECC 2024 Commercial Chapter 2
      1. Members briefly discussed IECC 2024 Commercial Chapter 2, Definitions, as an introduction to work anticipated for a future meeting. Members discussed generally carrying forward applicable commercial definitions from the 10th edition and reviewing new definitions introduced by the 2024 IECC to determine whether they remain necessary where related model-code provisions are not being adopted. Members specifically discussed the definition of substantial alteration and indicated that, unlike the residential provisions, no change to that definition was presently proposed for the commercial code.
   2. 2024 IRC Appendices ND, NE, NF, NG, NH, NI, NJ, NK, and NL
      1. Members received an introductory review of the energy-related 2024 IRC Appendices ND through NL that had been referred for consideration. Members reviewed Appendix ND, addressing energy storage; Appendix NE, addressing electric vehicle charging infrastructure; and Appendix NF, addressing alternative insulation and wall assembly provisions. Members noted that some Appendix NE subject matter may already be addressed elsewhere in the Massachusetts code. Members also reviewed Appendix NG, the IECC stretch-code appendix, and discussed that it differs from the Massachusetts stretch and specialized codes and therefore may not be appropriate for adoption.
         1. Members reviewed Appendix NH, addressing carbon ratings, and noted potential overlap with RESNET’s CO₂ index; Appendix NI, addressing on-site renewable energy, which members identified for review in connection with renewable energy requirements for new construction; and Appendix NJ, addressing demand-responsive controls, which members discussed as potentially relevant to additional energy efficiency credit options. Members also reviewed Appendix NK, containing electric-ready residential building provisions. Members discussed that Appendix NK is intended to support an all-electric code approach and noted that the base code was not presently anticipated to prohibit mixed-fuel buildings. Appendix NL, addressing renewable energy infrastructure, was identified for additional review. Members indicated that each appendix would require further evaluation before determining which, if any, should be recommended for adoption. Members also clarified that any appendices recommended by the committee could be voted on and forwarded to the BBRS, while coordinating with the residential code subcommittee.
4. Discuss Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated 48 Hours in Advance of the Meeting
   1. Members discussed schedule of remaining meetings.
5. Adjournment – The next meeting will be held on August 24^th, 2026. 
   1. Rebecca Ansolabehere motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Nathan Darling. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously. 
6. Meeting adjourned at 11:08 AM.

Items Relied Upon

Meeting Agenda

Draft Meeting Minutes

2024 IECC

2024 IRC

780 CMR Provisions

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

1. Review/Vote Minutes of the following Energy Advisory Meetings: 
   1. July 27, 2026
2. Review/Discuss/ Vote Code Change Proposal Forms and Front-End Amendments
   1. IECC 2024 C403
   2. IECC 2024 Commercial Chapter 5
   3. IECC 2024 Commercial Chapter 6 
3. Review/Discuss IECC Commercial Chapters
   1. IECC 2024 Commercial Chapter 2
   2. 2024 IRC Appendices ND, NE, NF, NG, NH, NI, NJ, NK, and NL
4. Discuss matters not reasonably anticipated by the chair, 48 hours in advance of the meeting

Adjournment – the next scheduled meeting is August 24, 2026