The purpose of this notice is to advise the building industry and other interested parties of the ninth edition building code status and specifically to note that, when it is finally approved and becomes effective, there will not be a concurrency period with the eighth edition code requirements. Currently, it is expected that the ninth edition will become effective sometime before mid-2016.
On June 9, 2015 the Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) completed a year-long effort by approving a draft ninth edition building code (780 CMR) based on the 2015 I-Codes as published by the International Code Council (ICC). The draft code will now be subject to internal review processes as prescribed by Governor Baker’s Executive Order (EO) 562. Following this review, a public hearing will be scheduled to afford interested parties an opportunity to provide comment on the draft code. Depending on the nature of these comments, BBRS members may choose to make adjustments to the draft code language.
Once public hearings processes and related reviews are completed, BBRS members will then approve final content and file the ninth edition with the Office of the Secretary of State who establishes an effective date for the new code. Although much depends on successful completion of the EO 562 process, it is expected that the new code will become effective during the first quarter of 2016.
Unlike previous editions, there will not be a concurrency period as we segue to new code requirements. Instead, BBRS members encourage code users and enforcers to become familiar with provisions of the applicable 2015 I-Codes and associated Massachusetts amendments over the next several months in preparation for the transition. Building owners, designers and contractors should consider changes in the ninth edition that may affect projects scheduled for permit application during the first quarter of next year.
How may I view the draft files?
The ninth edition code (780 CMR) consists of two volumes:
- The Base Volume consists of the 2015 versions of the International Building Code (IBC), Existing Building Code (IEBC), Energy Conservation Code (IECC), and by reference, the International Fire Code (IFC) and Mechanical Code (IMC) along with Massachusetts amendments thereto; and
- The Residential Volume which consists of the 2015 version of the International Residential Code (IRC) and Massachusetts amendments thereto.
- BBRS staff has compiled a file with some key changes for the ninth edition which provides a high level view of changes. Links to the files that make-up the draft ninth edition are listed below. The files are large, so please be sure that you have good internet service when attempting to access them.
- 2015 I-Codes
- (The following links connect back to a copy of this notice that is posted on the DPS website where you may link-into the referenced documents.)
MA Amendments to the Base Volume
Figures and Tables for the MA Base Volume
MA Special Regulations, 780 CMR 110 (Includes changes to Construction Supervisor License requirements.)
MA Amendments to the Residential Volume
Table for the MA Residential Volume
It is hoped that this information helps clarify the status and schedule for the Ninth Edition of the State Building Code (780 CMR).
“there will not be a concurrency period with the eighth edition code requirements” that is just insane. We are designing projects scheduled for permitting mid-2016 and late 2016 and have no idea if it will be 9th or still 8th. Probably 8th since code updates are often late, but at some point the transition will be scheduled and projects in mid-design will be horribly disrupted
“there will not be a concurrency period with the eighth edition code requirements”….I completely agree…that is crazy. How could any budgets be organized properly? This needs to be re-thought…
Due to the codes on three families. This will be forcing a lot of rents to go up. Some building owners will be forced to walk away from the homes causing an other housing crisis. You guys are nuts and out of touch with reality. Home owner insurances will be out of touch.
Your web site links to the amendments and figures do not work. Please fix them.
This entire code industry needs to be reigned in. Contractor and Architect organizations need to exert some pressure. What we have now is confusion and chaos.
I agree with other posters in that this does not in many ways seem well thought out.I have said before and will again the state in some ways seems to want to commit economic suicide in regards to the building industry.
That said,while I agree with architects/engineers getting on this we all need to get our voices heard,this affects all the building trades and associated business like lumber/tool/plumbing/heating ect. supply houses.So,whether your the head of a union/lone wolf home repair guy like me get your voices heard,we have to try.
I am lucky as that can pack up and move to better environments at the drop of a hat(have partially done so already)but many for better or worse call this home.