RISBC-8 Rhode Island Energy Conservation Code

Regulation Authority:

R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-27.3-100.1.5
23-27.3-100.1.5.4
and 23.27.3-109.1

Purpose and Reason:

The Building Code Standards Committee (BCSC) is proposing amendments to the Rhode Island Energy Conservation. The current version of the Property Maintenance Code adopted the International Code Council’s (ICC) International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) 2018 edition. Currently, these amendments reflect the BCSC’s proposed adoption of the 2024 edition of the IECC pursuant to a statutory mandate in R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-27.3-100.1.5.4. Notably, § 23-27.3-100.1.5.4(a)(1) states: “The state building code standards committee shall revise the state energy conservation code to comply with this requirement within one year of any update to the International Energy Conservation Code; provided, however, that the 2021 IECC published by the International Code Council shall not be adopted and the 2024 IECC published by the International Code Council shall be adopted within (3) three months of its release.”

The few state specific amendments to the IECC 2024 model code are for consistency with the other building code regulations in RICR Title 510 and the Fire Safety Codes in RICR Title 450, compliance with RI statutes, and ensure that the model codes align with the needs of this state.

Additionally, all building code regulations being amended in this cycle have been edited for clarity and internal consistency of formatting and style, and to be easily read with the other building code regulations and the model codes that these regulations adopt. Formatting changes include: listing every model code chapter and stating whether each chapter is adopted, adopted with changes or deleted; leading the all changes with the model code section number for quick reference; and focusing on model code numbering to simplify citation and avoid confusion.

The Regulation adopts IECC 2024 as required by the statutory mandate, R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-27.3-100.1.5.4

§§ 8.1 and 8.2 – Updated and simplified the provisions in these sections. 

Notably, IECC 2024 contains separate parts of the Code for commercial and residential structures. 

The majority of IECC 2024 is adopted, with only minimal changes to ensure consistency with existing RI laws and procedures. These amendments are in the Commercial Chapter 1 and Residential Chapter 1. 

Specific appendices have been adopted for both commercial and residential parts of the code. These appendices (Appendix CH and RK) are adopted pursuant to existing statutory requirements.