Stringency– The Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code (MUBEC) was established legislatively in April 2008 through P.L. 699. On June 1, 2010, the 2009 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2007 became mandatory for residential, commercial, and public buildings statewide, though enforcement varies by population. Towns with a population less than 2,000 are not required to enforce the code. Towns with a population of 2,000 that had a building code as of August 1, 2008 were required to begin enforcing the new codes December 1, 2010. Towns with a population of 2,000 but did not have a building code as of August 1, 2008, will be required to begin enforcing the new codes December 1, 2012. According to the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnership, this exempts 50-60% of the state’s population.
Compliance– A study on compliance was conducted by the Maine Public Utilities Commission in 2008, though a copy of the study cannot be found on their website. Only towns with more than 2,000 residents are required to enforce the 2009 IECC. A training and certification program was launched simultaneously with the building energy code changes. All code officers are required to be certified and training is provided free of charge. Builders, architects and others are not required to be certified, but are encouraged to attend the training on a fee basis.
Links:
EERE Building Energy Codes Program
Online Code Environment & Advocacy Network (OCEAN)
Maine Uniform Building and Energy Codes
Contacts:
Kathy Chamberlain
Bureau of Building Codes and Standards
Maine Department of Public Safety
Phone: 207-624-7007
Email: kathy.chamberlain@maine.gov
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