Part IX-A
International Energy Conservation Code – Commercial Provisions
§ 9A-101. City adoption
(a) In general.
The International Energy Conservation Code – Commercial Provisions (2021 Edition) is adopted as part of the Building, Fire, and Related Codes of Baltimore City, subject to the additions, deletions, amendments, and other modifications contained in this Part IX-A.
(b) Codification.
Unless otherwise specified, chapter and section numbers in this Part IX-A refer to the chapter and section numbers of the International Energy Conservation Code – Commercial Provisions.
§ 9A-102. City modifications.
The additions, deletions, amendments, and other modifications adopted by the City are as follows:
Chapter 1
Scope and Administration
{MBPS Modifications – Additional requirements concerning energy conservation for structures may be found in the Energy Conservation Building Standards, State Public Utility Companies Article §§ 7-401 to 7-408.}
Section 101. Scope and General Requirements
101.1 Title.
The regulations contained in this Code constitute and are known as the "Baltimore City Energy Conservation Code – Commercial Provisions".
101.1.1 References to "this Code".
Throughout this Part IX-A, all references to "this Code" refer to the Baltimore City Energy Conservation Code – Commercial Provisions.
101.2 to 101.5 {As in IECC-C}
101.6 Administration.
This Code is administered and enforced by the Department of Housing and Community Development and its Commissioner. Accordingly, in this Code:
1. "Department" means the Department of Housing and Community Development, and
2. "Code Official" means the Building Official, as defined in § 202.2 of the Baltimore City Building Code.
Section 102. Alternative Materials, Methods, and Insulating Systems
102.1 General.
The provisions of this Code are not intended to prevent the installation of any material or to prohibit any method of construction or insulation system not specifically prescribed by this Code, as long as that alternative has been approved. An alternative material, method, or insulation system may be approved if the Code Official finds in writing that, for the purpose intended:
1. the proposed alternative is satisfactory and complies with the intent of this Code, and
2. the material, method, or work offered is, for the purpose intended, at least the equivalent of that prescribed in this Code in quality, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability, and safety.
102.1.1 Above code programs. {As in IECC-C}
Section 103. Construction Documents {As in IECC-C}
Section 104. Permits and fees
104.1 Application for permit.
The requirements for obtaining a permit are as set forth in § 105.3 {"Application for permit"} of the Baltimore City Building Code.
104.2 Expiration of permit.
Unless extended, a permit expires as set forth in § 105.5 {"Expiration; extension ..."} of the Baltimore City Building Code.
104.3 Extension.
A permit may be extended as provided in § 105.5 {"Expiration; extension ..."} of the Baltimore City Building Code.
104.4 Suspension or revocation.
The Building Official may suspend or revoke a permit as provided in § 105.6 {"Suspension or revocation"} of the Baltimore City Building Code.
104.5 Fee schedule.
The fee for each permit is as set forth in § 109 {"Fees"} of the Baltimore City Building Code.
Section 105. Inspections
105.1 General. {As in IECC-C}
105.1.1 Code Official's powers and duties.
The Code Official must make all of the required inspections or accept reports of inspection by approved agencies or individuals. All reports of these inspections must be in writing and signed by a responsible officer of the approved agency or by the responsible individual. The Code Official may engage any expert opinion that the Code Official considers necessary to report on unusual technical issues that arise.
105.1.2 Right of entry.
The Code Official may enter any structure or premises at reasonable times to inspect, subject to constitutional restrictions on unreasonable searches and seizures. If
entry is refused or not obtained, the Code Official may pursue recourse as provided by law, including § 104 {"...Powers of Building Official"} of the Baltimore City Building Code.
105.2 to 105.7 {As in IECC-C}
Section 106. Notice of Approval {As in IECC-C}
Section 107. Validity {As in IECC-C}
Section 108. Referenced Standards {As in IECC-C}
Section 109. Stop Work Order {Not Adopted; But see § 112.2 of this Chapter}
Section 110. Board of Appeals {Not Adopted; See §113 of this Chapter}
Section 111. {Reserved}
Section 112. Violations
112.1 Violation penalties.
The penalties for a violation of this Code are as provided in § 114 {"Violations"} of the Baltimore City Building Code for a violation of that Code.
112.2 Stop-work orders.
The issuance and enforcement of stop-work orders are as provided in § 115 {"Stop-Work Order"} of the Baltimore City Building Code.
Section 113. Administrative and Judicial Review
113.1 General.
A decision of the Code Official is subject to administrative and judicial review as provided in the Baltimore City Building Code.
Chapter 2
Definitions
Section 201. General
201.1 Scope. {As in IECC-C}
201.2 Interchangeability. {As in IECC-C}
201.3 Terms defined in other codes.
If a term is not defined in this Code and is defined in the Baltimore City Building Code or in one or another of the standards and codes listed in § 101.4 {"Referenced Codes"} of the Baltimore City Building Code, the term has the meaning given to it in that code or standard.
201.4 Terms not defined. {As in IECC-C}
Section 202. General Definitions
202.1 General.
Except as provided in § 202.2 of this Code, terms that are used in this Code and defined in the International Energy Conservation Code – Commercial Provisions (2021 Edition) have the meanings given in the International Energy Conservation Code – Commercial Provisions (2021 Edition).
202.2 Supplemental definitions.
Notwithstanding any different definition in the International Energy Conservation Code – Commercial Provisions, the following terms have the meanings given in this § 202.2.
202.2.1 Building.
"Building" has the meaning stated in § 202.2 of the Baltimore City Building Code.
202.2.2 Code official.
"Code official" has the meaning stated in § 101.6 of this Code.
202.2.3 May not, etc.
"May not", "must not", and "no ... may" are each mandatory negative terms used to establish a prohibition.
202.2.4 Must/shall.
"Must" and "shall" are each mandatory terms used to express a requirement or to impose a duty.
202.2.5 Occupancy.
"Occupancy" has the meaning stated in § 202.2 of the Baltimore City Building Code.
202.2.6 Premises.
"Premises" has the meaning stated in § 202.2 of the Baltimore City Building Code.
Chapter 3
General Requirements
[As in IECC-C]
Chapter 4
Commercial Energy Efficiency
Section 401. General {As in IECC-C}
401.1 Scope. {As in IECC-C}
401.2 Application.
A commercial building complies with this Chapter if the building complies with one of the following criteria:
1. the building meets the requirements of ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1, and, in addition, the building's energy use is equal to or less than 85% of the standard reference design building; or
2. the building meets the requirements of §§ 402 through 405 and § 408 of this Chapter, and, in addition:
a. the commercial building complies with § 406 of this Chapter; and
b. tenant spaces comply with § 406.1.1 of this Chapter.
401.2.1 International Energy Conservation Code. {As in IECC-C}
401.2.2 ASHRAE 90.1 {Not Adopted}
401.3 Thermal envelope certificate. {As in IECC-C}
Section 402. Building Envelope Requirements
402.1 to 402.2 {As in IECC-C}
402.3 Roof solar reflectance and thermal emittance.
Low-sloped roofs directly above cooled conditioned spaces in Climate Zones 1, 2 and 3 shall have a minimum 3-year-aged solar reflective index of 78, as determined by the Cool Roof Rating Council.
Exceptions: The following roofs and portions of roofs are exempt from the requirements of this subsection:
1. Portions of the roof that include or are covered by the following:
1.1. Photovoltaic systems or components.
1.2. Solar air or water-heating systems or components.
1.3. Roof gardens or landscaped roofs.
1.4. Above-roof decks or walkways.
1.5. Skylights.
1.6. HVAC systems and components, and other opaque objects mounted above the roof.
2. Portions of the roof shaded during the peak sun angle on the summer solstice by permanent features of the building or by permanent features of adjacent buildings.
3. Portions of roofs that are ballasted with a minimum stone ballast of 17 psf (74 kg/m2) or 23 psf (117 kg/m2) pavers.
4. Roofs where not less than 75 percent of the roof area complies with one or more of the exceptions to this section.
402.3.1 Aged roof solar reflectance.
Where an aged solar reflectance required by Section 402.3 is not available, it shall be determined in accordance with Equation 4-3.
Raged = [0.2 + 0.7(Rinitial - 0.2)] (Equation 4-3)
where:
Raged = The aged solar reflectance.
Rinitial = The initial solar reflectance determined in accordance with CRRC-S100.
402.4 {As in IECC-C}
402.5 Air leakage – thermal envelope. {As in IECC-C}
402.5.1 Air barriers. {As in IECC-C}
402.5.1.1 Air barrier construction. {As in IECC-C}
402.5.1.2 Building test.
402.5.1.2.1 General.
The completed building must be tested as follows:
1. Tests must be accomplished using either (a) both pressurization and depressurization or (b) pressurization alone, but not depressurization alone. The test results must be plotted against the corrected P in accordance with § 9.4 of ASTM E779.
2. The test pressure range must be from 25 Pa to 80 Pa per § 8.10 of ASTM E779, but the upper limit may not be less than 50 Pa, and the difference between the upper and lower limit may not be less than 25 Pa.
3. If the pressure exponent is less than 0.45 or greater than 0.85 per § 9.6.4 of ASTM E779, the test must be rerun with additional readings over a longer time interval.
402.5.1.2.2 Air leakage rate.
The air leakage rate of the building envelope may not exceed 0.40 cfm/ft2 at a pressure differential of 0.3 inches water gauge (2.0 L/s • m2 at 75 Pa) at the upper 95% confidence interval in accordance with ASTM E779 or an equivalent method approved by the Code Official.
402.5.1.2.3 Testing failures.
a. Visual inspection to seal leaks.
If the tested rate exceeds 0.25 cfm/ft2 but does not exceed 0.40 cfm/ft2 , a visual inspection of the air barrier must be conducted, and any leaks noted must be sealed to the extent practicable. Any further requirement to meet the leakage air rate is waived.
b. Corrective action and retesting.
If the tested rate exceeds 0.40 cfm/ft2, corrective actions must be made, and the test completed again. A test above 0.40 cfm/ft2 will not be accepted.
402.5.1.2.4 Reporting.
a. General.
A report that includes the tested surface area, floor area, air by volume, stories above grade, and leakage rates must be submitted to the building owner and the Code Official.
b. Corrective actions.
An additional report identifying the corrective actions taken to seal air leaks must be submitted to the building owner and the Code Official.
402.5.2 to 402.5.8 {As in IECC-C}
Sections 403 to 404. {As in IECC-C}
Section 405. Electrical Power and Lighting Systems
405.1 General (Mandatory). {As in IECC-C}
405.2 Lighting controls (Mandatory). {As in IECC-C}
405.2.1 to 405.2.3 {As in IECC-C}
405.2.4 Specific application controls.
Specific application controls must be provided for the following:
1. {As in IECC-C}
2. {As in IECC-C; But see also Item 5 below}
3. to 4. {As in IECC-C}
5. {Per MBPS Modification} For the new construction of hotels or motels:
(a) each hotel or motel guest room or suite must be equipped with a master control device that automatically turns off the power to all of the lighting fixtures in the guest room or suite no more than 30 minutes after the room or suite has been vacated; and
(b) a master control device may also control the heating, ventilation, or air conditioning default settings in a hotel or motel guest room or suite 30 minutes after room or suite has been vacated by:
(i) increasing the set temperature by at least 3 degrees Fahrenheit when in the air conditioning mode; or
(ii) decreasing the set temperature by at least 3 degrees Fahrenheit when in the heating mode.
405.2.5 Manual controls. {As in IECC-C}
405.2.6 Exterior lighting controls. {As in IECC-C}
405.3 to 405.9 {As in IECC-C}