Part IX-B
International Energy Conservation Code – Residential Provisions
§ 9B-101. City adoption.
(a) In general.
The International Energy Conservation Code – Residential Provisions (2018 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-B.
(b) Codification.
Unless otherwise specified, chapter and section numbers in this Part IX-B refer to the chapter and section numbers of the International Energy Conservation Code – Residential Provisions.
§ 9B-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 7408.}
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 – Residential Provisions".
101.1.1 References to "this Code".
Throughout this Part IX-B, all references to "this Code" refer to the Baltimore City Energy Conservation Code – Residential Provisions.
101.2 to 101.5 {As in IECC-R}
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 not specifically prescribed by this Code, as long as that alternative has been approved. An alternative material or method 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-R}
Section 103. Construction Documents {As in IECC-R}
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-R}
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-R}
Section 106. Notice of Approval {As in IECC-R}
Section 107. Validity {As in IECC-R}
Section 108. Referenced Standards {As in IECC-R}
Section 109. Stop Work Order {Not Adopted; 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-R}
201.2 Interchangeability. {As in IECC-R}
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-R}
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-R]
Chapter 4
Residential Energy Efficiency
Section 401. General {As in IECC-R}
Section 402. Building Thermal Envelope {As in IECC-R}
402.1 to 402.3 {As in IECC-R}
402.4 Air leakage. {As in IECC-R}
402.4.1 Building thermal envelope. {As in IECC-R}
402.4.1.1 Installation. {As in IECC-R}
402.4.1.2 Testing. {As in IECC-R}
{Per MBPS Modification:}
Exceptions: As provided for in the:
(i) Simulated Performance Path listed in § 405 of this Chapter; or
(ii) Energy Rating Index Compliance Alternative in § 406 of this Chapter.
402.4.2 to 402.4.5 {As in IECC-R}
402.5 Maximum fenestration U-factor ... . {As in IECC-R}
Sections 403 to 404. {As in IECC-R}
Section 405. Total Building Performance {As in IECC-R, subject to the following MBPS Modification:}
{MBPS Modification to Table R405.5.2.1(1) – In Table R405.5.2(1) {"Specifications for the Standard Reference and Proposed Designs"}, for the "Air exchange rate" row, under the column for "Proposed Design", after "The measured air exchange rate", insert ", not to exceed 5 air changes per hour with baseline of 3 air change per hour in climate zones 4 and 5 maintained for Standard Reference Design"}
Section 406. Energy Rating Index Compliance Alternative
406.1 Scope. {As in IECC-R}
406.2 ERI Compliance.
{As in IECC-R, subject to the following MBPS Modification}
{Per MBPS Modification:}
Exception 1: Supply and return ducts not completely inside the building thermal envelope must be insulated to an R-value of not less than R-6.
Exception 2: The maximum of 5 air changes per hour tested in accordance with § 402.4.1.2 may be used to determine the Energy Rating index score with baseline of 3 air changes per hour in climate zones 4 and 5 maintained for ERI Reference Design.