[MassHistPres] ONE ANSWER TO THIS IECC, Mass adoption of the stretch code, and historic buildings

[Marisa Morra]

My husband Roy  is a HERS rater and works for Sustainable Energy Analytics in Lexington MA
He tests houses every day and advises on insulation needs. Here is his answer.
Marisa Morra
Weston Historic Commission

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Roy Chatalbash <roy.chatalbash at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: DO YO KNOW THE ANSWER TO THIS? IECC, Mass adoption of the stretch code, and historic buildings
> Date: January 27, 2014 11:56:30 AM EST
> To: Roy Chatalbash <marisa-ah at comcast.net>
> 
> 
> This is a typical problem. If a building inspector decides on some arbitrary code requirement even though the code says otherwise, his word stands unless it's appealed.
> 
> Stretch code doesn't replace base code except for a few specific  provisions. It doesn't mention historic buildings, so guidance reverts to base code, which exempts buildings recognized as historic.
> 
> Roy Chatalbash
> 
> On Jan 27, 2014 10:43 AM, "Marisa Morra" <marisa-ah at comcast.net> wrote:
> 
> 
> Begin forwarded message:
> 
>> From: "Ward Hamilton at Olde Mohawk Historic Preservation" <ward at wardhamilton.com>
>> Subject: [MassHistPres] IECC, Mass adoption of the stretch code, and historic buildings
>> Date: January 26, 2014 10:11:35 AM EST
>> To: MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu
>> 
>> 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
>> 
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