Maine Building and Energy Code Proposals – September 2017

AGENCY: 16-642 – Department of Public Safety (DPS), Office of State Fire Marshal, Bureau of Building Codes and Standards (BBCS)

CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 1, Maine Uniform Building Code and Uniform Energy Code – Administrative Procedures

PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2017-P106

BRIEF SUMMARY: This proposed rule is amended to conform to a change in the statute that allows towns below 4,000 residents to adopt the building code, the energy code, or both building and energy codes. It also raises the threshold for municipal enforcement to 4,000 residents. It also clarifies a seasonal cottage to allow some seasonal structures to not comply with energy code requirements, but still comply with building and safety regulations.

PUBLIC HEARING: September 18, 2017, Champlain Conference Room, Department of Public Safety, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta, Maine 04333 @ 9 a.m.

COMMENT DEADLINE: September 28, 2017

CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING: Michelle Mason Webber, Senior Planning and Research Analyst, 52 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0052. Telephone: (207) 626-3873. Email: Michelle.Mason@Maine.gov .

CONTACT PERSON FOR SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT / BBCS RULEMAKING LIAISON: Richard McCarthy, Assistant State Fire Marshal, 52 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0052. Telephone: (207) 626-3886. Email: Richard.McCarthy@Maine.gov .

FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES: Towns below 4,000 residents would no longer be required to enforce the building and energy code.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 10 MRS §9722

SUBSTANTIVE STATE OR FEDERAL LAW BEING IMPLEMENTED (if different):

FIRE MARSHAL RULEMAKING WEBSITE: http://maine.gov/dps/fmo/laws/proposedrulemaking.html .
BBCS WEBSITE: http://www.maine.gov/dps/bbcs/ .
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AGENCY: 16-642 – Department of Public Safety (DPS), Office of State Fire Marshal, Bureau of Building Codes and Standards (BBCS)

CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 2, Maine Uniform Building Code and Uniform Energy Code – Third Party Inspectors

PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2017-P107

BRIEF SUMMARY: This rule was amended to reassign duties from the State Planning Office to the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development.

PUBLIC HEARING: September 18, 2017, Champlain Conference Room, Department of Public Safety, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta, Maine 04333 @ 9 a.m.

COMMENT DEADLINE: September 28, 2017

CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING: Michelle Mason Webber, Senior Planning and Research Analyst, 52 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0052. Telephone: (207) 626-3873. Email: Michelle.Mason@Maine.gov .

CONTACT PERSON FOR SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT / BBCS RULEMAKING LIAISON: Richard McCarthy, Assistant State Fire Marshal, 52 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0052. Telephone: (207) 626-3886. Email: Richard.McCarthy@Maine.gov .

FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES: None.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 10 MRS §9722

SUBSTANTIVE STATE OR FEDERAL LAW BEING IMPLEMENTED (if different):
FIRE MARSHAL RULEMAKING WEBSITE: http://maine.gov/dps/fmo/laws/proposedrulemaking.html .
BBCS WEBSITE: http://www.maine.gov/dps/bbcs/ .
________________________________________

AGENCY: 16-642 – Department of Public Safety (DPS), Office of State Fire Marshal, Bureau of Building Codes and Standards (BBCS)

CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 3, Maine Uniform Building Code – Commercial Building Code of Maine

PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2017-P108

BRIEF SUMMARY: This rule adopts the 2015 version of the International Building Code. This rule was amended to conform to a change in the statute that allows towns below 4,000 residents to adopt the building code, the energy code, or both building and energy codes. It also raises the threshold for municipal enforcement to 4,000 residents. It also removes the requirement to sprinkler home based occupancies, and raises the required threshold to install sprinklers in restaurants. This rule also amends the requirements on daycare occupancies to match the requirements of the Life Safety Code as adopted by the State Fire Marshal, since this agency inspects all daycares within the State.

PUBLIC HEARING: September 18, 2017, Champlain Conference Room, Department of Public Safety, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta, Maine 04333 @ 9 a.m.

COMMENT DEADLINE: September 28, 2017

CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING: Michelle Mason Webber, Senior Planning and Research Analyst, 52 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0052. Telephone: (207) 626-3873. Email: Michelle.Mason@Maine.gov .

CONTACT PERSON FOR SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT / BBCS RULEMAKING LIAISON: Richard McCarthy, Assistant State Fire Marshal, 52 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0052. Telephone: (207) 626-3886. Email: Richard.McCarthy@Maine.gov .

FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES: None.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 10 MRS §9722

SUBSTANTIVE STATE OR FEDERAL LAW BEING IMPLEMENTED (if different):

FIRE MARSHAL RULEMAKING WEBSITE: http://maine.gov/dps/fmo/laws/proposedrulemaking.html .
BBCS WEBSITE: http://www.maine.gov/dps/bbcs/ .
________________________________________

AGENCY: 16-642 – Department of Public Safety (DPS), Office of State Fire Marshal, Bureau of Building Codes and Standards (BBCS)

CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 4, Maine Uniform Building Code – Existing Building Code

PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2017-P109

BRIEF SUMMARY: This rule adopts the 2015 International Existing Building Code. This rule was amended to conform to a change in the statute that allows towns below 4,000 residents to adopt the building code, the energy code, or both building and energy codes. It also raises the threshold for municipal enforcement to 4,000 residents.

PUBLIC HEARING: September 18, 2017, Champlain Conference Room, Department of Public Safety, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta, Maine 04333 @ 9 a.m.

COMMENT DEADLINE: September 28, 2017

CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING: Michelle Mason Webber, Senior Planning and Research Analyst, 52 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0052. Telephone: (207) 626-3873. Email: Michelle.Mason@Maine.gov .

CONTACT PERSON FOR SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT / BBCS RULEMAKING LIAISON: Richard McCarthy, Assistant State Fire Marshal, 52 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0052. Telephone: (207) 626-3886. Email: Richard.McCarthy@Maine.gov .

FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES: Towns below 4,000 residents would no longer be required to enforce the building and energy code.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 10 MRS §9722

SUBSTANTIVE STATE OR FEDERAL LAW BEING IMPLEMENTED (if different):

FIRE MARSHAL RULEMAKING WEBSITE: http://maine.gov/dps/fmo/laws/proposedrulemaking.html .
BBCS WEBSITE: http://www.maine.gov/dps/bbcs/ .
________________________________________

AGENCY: 16-642 – Department of Public Safety (DPS), Office of State Fire Marshal, Bureau of Building Codes and Standards (BBCS)

CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 5, Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code and Maine Uniform Building Code – Residential Building Code for One and Two Family Dwellings in Maine

PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2017-P110

BRIEF SUMMARY: This rule adopts the 2015 International Residential Code. This rule was amended to conform to a change in the statute that allows towns below 4,000 residents to adopt the building code, the energy code, or both building and energy codes. It also raises the threshold for municipal enforcement to 4,000 residents. The rule also reduces the allowable void spaces within a home to no more than 500 square feet. This rule also defines the use of a rooming and lodging facility to bring this code into compliance with the Life Safety Code. This rule also expands compliance options for townhomes. This rule also includes Appendix V which defines the requirements for Tiny Homes.

PUBLIC HEARING: September 18, 2017, Champlain Conference Room, Department of Public Safety, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta, Maine 04333 @ 9 a.m.

COMMENT DEADLINE: September 28, 2017

CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING: Michelle Mason Webber, Senior Planning and Research Analyst, 52 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0052. Telephone: (207) 626-3873. Email: Michelle.Mason@Maine.gov .

CONTACT PERSON FOR SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT / BBCS RULEMAKING LIAISON: Richard McCarthy, Assistant State Fire Marshal, 52 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0052. Telephone: (207) 626-3886. Email: Richard.McCarthy@Maine.gov .

FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES: Towns below 4,000 residents would no longer be required to enforce the building and energy code.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 10 MRS §9722

SUBSTANTIVE STATE OR FEDERAL LAW BEING IMPLEMENTED (if different):

FIRE MARSHAL RULEMAKING WEBSITE: http://maine.gov/dps/fmo/laws/proposedrulemaking.html .
BBCS WEBSITE: http://www.maine.gov/dps/bbcs/ .
________________________________________

AGENCY: 16-642 – Department of Public Safety (DPS), Office of State Fire Marshal, Bureau of Building Codes and Standards (BBCS)

CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 6, Maine Uniform Energy Code – Energy Conservation Code of Maine

PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2017-P111

BRIEF SUMMARY: This rule adopts the 2009 International Energy Code. This rule was amended to conform to a change in the statute that allows towns below 4,000 residents to adopt the building code, the energy code, or both building and energy codes. It also raises the threshold for municipal enforcement to 4,000 residents.

PUBLIC HEARING: September 18, 2017, Champlain Conference Room, Department of Public Safety, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta, Maine 04333 @ 9 a.m.

COMMENT DEADLINE: September 28, 2017

CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING: Michelle Mason Webber, Senior Planning and Research Analyst, 52 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0052. Telephone: (207) 626-3873. Email: Michelle.Mason@Maine.gov .

CONTACT PERSON FOR SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT / BBCS RULEMAKING LIAISON: Richard McCarthy, Assistant State Fire Marshal, 52 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0052. Telephone: (207) 626-3886. Email: Richard.McCarthy@Maine.gov .

FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES: Towns below 4,000 residents would no longer be required to enforce the building and energy code.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 10 MRS §9722

SUBSTANTIVE STATE OR FEDERAL LAW BEING IMPLEMENTED (if different):

FIRE MARSHAL RULEMAKING WEBSITE: http://maine.gov/dps/fmo/laws/proposedrulemaking.html .
BBCS WEBSITE: http://www.maine.gov/dps/bbcs/ .