Public Meeting Notice  BBRS Residential Code Subcommittee Meeting- 5.7.26

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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 Residential Code 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 Residential Code Committee convened a regular monthly meeting on:

Microsoft Teams Meeting May 7th, 2026

The topics shown below were discussed at the aforementioned meeting: 9:04 AM Chair Mark Barbadoro 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:

• Mark Barbadoro, DOL Appointee
• Becca Edson, Architect
• Greg Gagnon, Developer
• Len Morse-Fortier, Structural Engineer
• Reade Milne, Municipal Building Official
• David Silveira, CSL
• David Riquinha, BBRS Member (joined at 10:00 AM)

Committee Members Absent:

• Todd Cantor, Municipal Fire Official
• Jason Ferschke, BBRS Member

DOL Staff Present:

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

Acknowledged Public Attendees:

• Gordon Bailey, DOL

1. Reviewed Meeting Minutes
   1. Meeting Minutes for April 9th, 2026. Reade Milne motioned to approve meeting minutes with corrections, seconded by David Silveira. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously. 
2. Reviewed Code Proposals
   1. R313.2 - Appendix BO Code change proposal sprinkler system for two-family submitted by T. Cantor
   2. Reade Milne motioned to table matter for next meeting, seconded by Len Morse-Fortier. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously.
3. Review/Discuss/ Vote IRC and 780 CMR 51.00 Chapter Reviews 
   1. IRC Chapter 24 – Fuel Gas
      1. Members spent the majority of the discussion debating how the residential code should reference specialized codes such as fuel gas, plumbing, oil burner, and fire prevention regulations. Board staff Andrew Chase opened the conversation by explaining that earlier draft amendments were intended as templates and that the committee was struggling with “signposting” — repeated references between the IRC, 248 CMR, 527 CMR, NFPA standards, and Chapter 24 of 780 CMR. He explained that these circular references created confusion about jurisdiction and enforcement authority.
      2. Chair Barbadoro summarized the broader issue facing the subcommittee, noting that although many of the IRC chapters had remained largely unchanged between the 2021 and 2024 editions, the committee still needed to determine whether existing 10th Edition amendments were necessary or whether they unintentionally created conflicts. He emphasized concerns over structural requirements, flood zone provisions, and fire safety issues that may not be fully addressed in specialized codes, raising the question of whether those items should remain within the building code’s authority.
      3. Several members discussed the legal and practical implications of references to specialized codes. David Silveira stated that many of these provisions should not appear in the building code because they effectively force building officials to enforce other disciplines’ regulations. Reade Milne agreed, stating that the issue felt more like a legal matter than a technical code matter and suggested relying on legal guidance rather than continuing philosophical debate. Board Counsel Charles Kilb responded by explaining that the primary goal was consistency and harmony between codes while avoiding duplication or enforcement conflicts between building officials and specialized inspectors. He emphasized that building officials should not be mandated to enforce codes outside their jurisdiction and training which designate other officials as the authorities having jurisdiction.
      4. The committee then debated whether the body of the building code should contain any references to specialized codes at all beyond Chapter 1 references. Becca Edson and Reade Milne both stated that the residential code should remain narrowly focused on matters under building official jurisdiction and avoid unnecessary duplication or “double messaging.” Chair Barbadoro countered that his opinion that since state law incorporates specialized codes into the overall code framework, he felt building officials should have some responsibility for matters governed by specialized codes before issuing building permits or approvals. Board Counsel Kilb responded that Chapter One already broadly addresses coordination with specialized codes and stated that the purpose of the specialized code framework was specifically to remove enforcement burdens from building officials that are unrelated to their training and jurisdiction.
      5. Executive Director Tammy Gropman intervened to remind the group that the subcommittee was falling behind schedule and urged members to focus on completing chapter reviews rather than continuing broad philosophical discussions.
      6. David Silveira motioned to strike IRC Chapter 24 entirely and leave it as a reserved chapter, seconded by Reade Milne. Discussion followed regarding whether deleting the chapter could create gaps if certain provisions were not fully covered elsewhere in 248 CMR. Board Counsel Kilb recommended adopting David Silveira’s motion, stating that fuel gas provisions are within the gas code’s jurisdiction and noted that the IRC chapter 24 explicitly is a residentially focused copy of the IFGC, which is not adopted on the base code side.  Chair Barbadoro and Becca Edson expressed concern that some safety-related provisions appearing in the IRC might not exist in 248 CMR and questioned whether deleting the chapter entirely would unintentionally remove important requirements. A roll call vote was held:
         • Yes: David Silveira, Reade Milne, 
           • No: Becca Edson, Greg Gagnon, Mark Barbadoro
             • Abstained: Len Morse-Fortier
      7. In further discussion, it was noted that members may need additional time to contemplate the matter. David Silveira motioned to table Chapter 24, seconded by Reade Milne. David Silveira rescinded his motion. Becca Edson motioned to proceed with additional chapter reviews, seconded by David Silveira. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously.
   2. IRC Chapter 12 - Mechanical Administration
      1. The committee reviewed Chapter 12 and considered whether existing Massachusetts amendments remained necessary. Board Staff Andrew Chase explained that the 10th Edition language largely duplicated the IRC model code language and mainly created unnecessary circular references to specialized codes and boiler regulations. He recommended removing the amendment language and instead handling any necessary specialized code references in Chapter One of the code. Members generally agreed that the existing amendment did not add substantive requirements. 
      2. Len Morse-Fortier motioned to not carry forward the 10th Edition amendment language and instead rely on the model code language, seconded by Becca Edson. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously.
   3. IRC Chapter 18 - Chimneys and Vents
      1. The committee then reviewed Chapter 18. Board Staff Andrew Chase explained that much of the existing Massachusetts amendment language duplicated IRC provisions already present in the 2024 model code. Discussion focused specifically on provisions concerning common flue connections and multiple solid fuel-burning appliances.
      2. Members debated whether Massachusetts should continue allowing certain common flue connections if permitted under specialized codes or NFPA standards. Gordon Bailey reviewed NFPA 211 during the meeting and confirmed that solid fuel-burning appliances generally cannot share chimney flues unless specifically listed for such installations. Based on that information, the committee agreed that as solid fuel installations are solely building code matters, it would be appropriate to remove references to 248 CMR and 527 CMR and instead provide a direct reference to NFPA 211 instead.
      3. Becca Edson motioned to accept the revised Chapter 18 amendment language using NFPA 211 reference, seconded by Chair Barbadoro. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously.
   4. IRC Chapter 21 – Hydronic Piping
      1. For Chapter 21, Board Staff Andrew Chase explained that the existing 10th Edition amendment on backflow prevention was unnecessary because the plumbing chapter already directs users to the plumbing code and 248 CMR requirements. Board Counsel Kilb agreed that any model code section beginning with plumbing references (“P” sections) are not adopted based on Chapter 1 language and therefore did not require additional Massachusetts amendment language.
      2. Becca Edson motioned to accept model code language without amendments, seconded by Reade Milne. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously.
   5. IRC Chapter 22 Special Piping and Storage Systems
      1. The committee next reviewed Chapter 22. Board Staff Andrew Chase explained that the chapter consisted almost entirely of references to oil burner and fire prevention regulations already governed under 527 CMR and Board of Boiler Rules authority. Board Counsel Kilb recommended deleting the entire chapter from the residential code because it dealt exclusively with specialized code subject matter.
      2. Reade Milne motioned to delete the Chapter 22 amendment/adoption, seconded by David Silveira. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously.
   6. IRC Chapter 23 – Solar Thermal Energy Systems
      1. Andrew explained that Chapter 23 primarily contained notes directing users to Board of Boiler Rules and plumbing code provisions regarding potable water and wastewater systems. He recommended removing the Massachusetts amendment language and instead addressing any generalized references through Chapter One.
      2. Len Morse-Fortier motioned to not carry forward the 10th Edition amendments for Chapter 23, seconded by Becca Edson. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously.
   7. IRC Chapter 9 Roof Assemblies / Solar Roof Systems.
      1. Becca Edson presented proposed carry-forward language for Chapter 9 regarding roof assemblies and integrated photovoltaic roof systems. She explained that the 2024 IRC primarily updated terminology from “photovoltaic” to “building-integrated photovoltaic” systems and that she had no substantive objections to the model code changes. 
      2. Members discussed structural concerns relating to rooftop solar systems. Len Morse-Fortier raised concerns about snow load accumulation and additional structural loading caused by rooftop solar installations, particularly on flat roofs. Chair Barbadoro clarified that broader structural requirements for rooftop-mounted solar systems were primarily addressed elsewhere in the code, including Chapter 3 and Appendix BO relating to existing buildings.
      3. Becca live-edited the amendment language during the meeting to simplify references to specialized codes. Len Morse-Fortier motioned to approve proposed code language, seconded by Reade Milne. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously. 
4. Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated 
   1. Members discussed remaining chapters and appendices to review. 
   2. Mark Barbadoro announced that he would need to step down as chair of the subcommittee. Reed Milne thanked him for his leadership and acknowledged the difficulty of managing the committee discussions.
5. Adjournment – The next meeting is scheduled for May 21^st, 2026
   1. Reade Milne motioned to adjourn, seconded by Len Morse-Fortier. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously.
   2. Meeting adjourned at 11:30 AM.

Items Relied Upon

• Meeting Agenda
• Meeting Minutes
• Code Change Proposal
• 2024 IRC

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

1. ReviewMinutes of the following meetings: 
   1. April 9, 2026
2. Review/Discuss/Vote Code Proposal
   1. R313.2/ Appendix BO Code change proposal sprinkler system for two-family submitted by T. Cantor 
3. Review/Discuss/ Vote IRC and 780 CMR 51.00 Chapter Reviews 
   1. IRC Chapter 12
   2. IRC Chapter 17
   3. IRC Chapter 18
   4. IRC Chapter 21
   5. IRC Chapter 22
   6. IRC Chapter 23
   7. IRC Chapter 24
   8. IRC Chapter 9
4. Discuss matters not reasonably anticipated by the chair, 48 hours in advance of the meeting

Adjournment – the next scheduled meeting is May 21, 2026