[MassHistPres] IECC, Mass adoption of the stretch code, and historic buildings

[Fletcher, Susan]

The Town of Danvers would also be interested in any comments or experiences of other communities.

Susan Fletcher
Assistant Director
Department of Planning and Human Services
978.777.0001 x3027
sfletcher at mail.danvers-ma.org

-----Original Message-----
From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu [mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu] On Behalf Of Ward Hamilton at Olde Mohawk Historic Preservation
Sent: Sunday, January 26, 2014 10:12 AM
To: MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu
Subject: [MassHistPres] IECC, Mass adoption of the stretch code, and historic buildings

I am assisting a client in Boston who is renovating the interior of an historic residential building in both the South End District and South End Landmark District.  In the course of applying for the permit he was told by ISD that the new framing in front of the exterior brick masonry walls need to be insulated to meet energy code requirements.  He cited an exemption under IECC (2009)101.4.2 which states:

"Historic buildings. Any building or structure that is listed in the State or National Register of Historic Places; designated as a historic property under local or state designation law or survey; certified as a contributing resource with a National Register listed or locally designated historic district; or with an opinion or certification that the property is eligible to be listed on the National or State Registers of Historic Places either individually or as a contributing building to a historic district by the State Historic Preservation Officer or the Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places, are exempt from this code."

Apparently the ISD inspector stated that Boston had adopted the Massachusetts stretch code and that that exemption no longer applied.  Yet I found this on Mass.gov:

12. Does the stretch code apply to historic buildings?

"Both the stretch code and the base energy code exempt historic buildings listed in state or national registers, or designated as a historic property under local or state designation law or survey, or with an opinion or certification that the property is eligible to be listed."

Source: 
http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/doer/green-communities/grant-program/stretch-code-qa-feb10-2011.pdf


The inspector supposedly advised my client to design a wall system with a vapor barrier against the inside of the brick masonry wall and closed foam insulation between the studs.  He allegedly also stated that that's what they (ISD) are looking for.  Has anyone else run into this with Boston ISD or anywhere else?  And by "this" I mean ISD ignoring the language of the code and forcing compliance where exemption is clearly granted.  Thoughts and input greatly appreciated.


Ward Hamilton

OLDE MOHAWK HISTORIC PRESERVATION INC
877.622.8973 online at OldeMohawk.com
Slate Roofing | Masonry | Restoration

******************************
For administrative questions regarding this list, please contact Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us directly.  PLEASE DO NOT "REPLY" TO THE WHOLE LIST.
MassHistPres mailing list
MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu
http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listinfo/masshistpres
********************************