Minnesota Administrative Rules

1322.0100 ADMINISTRATION FOR RESIDENTIAL ENERGY.

Subpart 1.

Administration.

In addition to the application of Minnesota Rules, chapter 1300, the administrative requirements in this part shall apply.

Subp. 2.

Scope.

This code applies to residential buildings and associated systems and equipment as defined in the Residential Provisions of the 2012 IECC.

Subp. 3.

Applicability.

A.

Additions, alterations, renovations, or repairs. Additions, alterations, renovations, or repairs to an existing building, building system, or portion of a building shall conform to the provisions of this code as they relate to new construction without requiring the unaltered portion of the existing building or building system to comply with this code. Additions, alterations, renovations, or repairs shall not create an unsafe or hazardous condition or overload existing building systems. An addition shall comply with this code if the addition alone complies or if the existing building and addition comply with this code as a single building. Attic insulation shall not be installed unless accessible attic bypasses have been sealed. An attic bypass is any air passageway between a conditioned space and an unconditioned attic.

Exceptions: The following are excepted from this part provided the energy use of the building is not increased:

1. Storm windows installed over existing windows.

2. Glass only replacements in an existing sash and frame.

3. Existing ceiling, wall, or floor cavities exposed during construction provided that these cavities are filled with insulation.

4. Construction where the existing roof, wall, or floor cavity is not exposed.

5. Reroofing and residing.

6. Replacement of existing doors that separate conditioned space from the exterior do not require the installation of a vestibule or revolving door; provided that an existing vestibule that separates a conditioned space from the exterior shall not be removed.

7. Alterations that replace less than 50 percent of the luminaires in a space, provided that the alterations do not increase the installed interior lighting power.

8. Alterations that replace only the bulb and ballast within the existing luminaires in a space, provided that the alteration does not increase the installed interior lighting power.

9. Insulation R-value, air barrier, and vapor retarder requirements are not applicable to existing foundations, crawl space walls, and basements in existing dwellings or dwelling units when the alteration or repair requires a permit if the original dwelling or dwelling unit permit was issued before June 1, 2009.

B.

Change in occupancy or use. Spaces undergoing a change in occupancy that would result in an increase in demand for either fossil fuel or electrical energy shall comply with this code.

C.

Change in space conditioning. Any nonconditioned space that is altered to become conditioned space shall be brought into full compliance with this code.

D.

Mixed occupancy. Where a building includes both residential and commercial occupancies, each occupancy shall be separately considered and meet the applicable provisions of this chapter and chapter 1323.

Subp. 4.

Compliance.

Residential buildings shall meet the requirements of Minnesota Rules, chapter 1322. Commercial buildings shall meet the requirements of Minnesota Rules, chapter 1323.

A.

Compliance materials. The building official is permitted to approve specific computer software, worksheets, compliance manuals, and other similar materials that meet the intent of this code.

B.

Low energy buildings. The following buildings, or portions thereof, separated from the remainder of the building by building thermal envelope assemblies complying with this code are exempt from the building thermal envelope provisions of this code:

(1)

those with a peak design rate of energy usage less than 3.4 Btu/h•ft²(10.7 W/m²) or 1.0 watt/ft² (10.7 W/m²) of floor area for space conditioning purposes; and

(2)

those that do not contain conditioned space.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 326B.02; 326B.101; 326B.106

History:

39 SR 232

Published Electronically:

February 16, 2015