TITLE 14               HOUSING AND CONSTRUCTION

CHAPTER 7         BUILDING CODES GENERAL

PART 6                 2006 NEW MEXICO ENERGY CONSERVATION CODE

 

14.7.6.1                 ISSUING AGENCY:  Construction Industries Division (CID) of the Regulation and Licensing Department.

[14.7.6.1 NMAC - Rp, 14.7.6.1, NMAC, 1-1-08]

 

14.7.6.2                 SCOPE:  This rule applies to all contracting work performed in New Mexico on or after January 1, 2008, that is subject to the jurisdiction of CID, unless performed pursuant to a permit for which an application was received by CID before that date, except that commercial buildings, which comply with the requirements of the 2004 edition of ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1, are excepted from the requirements of this rule.

[14.7.6.2 NMAC - Rp, 14.7.6.2, NMAC, 1-1-08]

 

14.7.6.3                 STATUTORY AUTHORITY:  NMSA 1978 sections 60-13-9 and 60-13-44.

[14.7.6.3 NMAC - Rp, 14.7.6.3, NMAC, 1-1-08]

 

14.7.6.4                 DURATION:  Permanent.

[14.7.6.4 NMAC - Rp, 14.7.6.4, NMAC, 1-1-08]

 

14.7.6.5                 EFFECTIVE DATE:  January 1, 2008, unless a later date is cited at the end of a section.

[14.7.6.5 NMAC - Rp, 14.7.6.5, NMAC, 1-1-08]

 

14.7.6.6                 OBJECTIVE:  The purpose of this rule is to establish minimum standards for energy conservation in construction in New Mexico.

[14.7.6.6 NMAC - Rp, 14.7.6.6, NMAC, 1-1-08]

 

14.7.6.7                 DEFINITIONS:

[See 14.5.1 NMAC, General Provisions and chapter 2 of the IECC as amended in 14.7.6.10 NMAC.]

[14.7.6.7 NMAC - Rp, 14.7.6.7, NMAC, 1-1-08]

 

14.7.6.8                 ADOPTION OF THE 2006 NEW MEXICO ENERGY CONSERVATION CODE:

                A.            This rule adopts by reference the 2006 international energy conservation code (IECC), as amended by this rule.

                B.            In this rule, each provision is numbered to correspond with the numbering of the 2006 international energy conservation code.

                C.            This rule is to be applied in conjunction with each of the other 2006 New Mexico building codes, including the NMCBC, NMRBC, NMPC, NMMC and the NMEC.

[14.7.6.8 NMAC - Rp, 14.7.6.8, NMAC, 1-1-08; A, 2-24-08]

 

14.7.6.9                 CHAPTER 1  ADMINISTRATION:

                A.            Section 101 - General.

                    (1)     101.1 Title.  Delete this section of the IECC and substitute: this rule shall be known as the 2006 New Mexico energy conservation code (NMECC).

                    (2)     101.2 Scope.  Delete this section of the IECC and see 14.7.6.2 NMAC, Scope.

                    (3)     101.3 Intent.  Delete this section of the IECC and see 14.7.6.6 NMAC, Objective.

                    (4)     101.4 Applicability.  See this section of the IECC.

                    (5)     101.5.1  Compliance Materials.  Delete this section of the IECC and substitute the following:  the code official shall be permitted to approve specific computer software, worksheets, compliance manuals and other similar materials that meet the intent of this code, such as ComCheck, ResCheck, and worksheet or trade-off sheets from the New Mexico energy conservation code residential applications manual.

                B.            Section 102 - Materials, systems and equipment.  See this section of the IECC.  102.3 Maintenance information. Delete this section of the IECC.

                C.            Section 103 - Alternate materials - method of construction, design or insulating systems. Delete this section of the IECC and see 14.5.1.11 NMAC, General Provisions.

                D.            Section 104 - Construction documents.  See this section of the IECC and 14.5.2 NMAC, Permits.

                E.             Section 105 - Inspections.  Delete this section of the IECC and see 14.5.3 NMAC, Inspections.

                F.             Section 106 - Validity.  Delete this section of the IECC and see 14.5.1 NMAC, General Provisions.

                G.            Section 107 - Referenced standards.

                    (1)     107.1 General.  See this section of the IECC.

                    (2)     107.2 Conflicting requirements.  Delete this section of the IECC and see 14.5.1.9 NMAC, General Provisions.

                    (3)     107.3 Referenced codes.  All references in the IECC to the international building code shall be deemed references to 14.7.2 NMAC, the 2006 New Mexico commercial building code (NMCBC).  All references to the international residential code shall be deemed references to 14.7.3 NMAC, the 2006 New Mexico residential building code (NMRBC).  All references to the international plumbing code shall be deemed references to 14.8.2 NMAC, the 2006 New Mexico plumbing code (NMPC).  All references to the international mechanical code shall be deemed references to 14.9.2, the 2006 New Mexico mechanical code (NMMC).  All references to the ICC or international electrical code shall be deemed references to 14.10.4 NMAC, the 2005 New Mexico electrical code (NMEC). All references to the international energy conservation code shall be deemed references to 14.7.6 NMAC, the 2006 New Mexico energy conservation code (NMECC).  All references to the international fuel gas code are deemed references to the NMMC or the LP gas standards found at 19.15.40 NMAC, and NMSA 1978 70-5-1 et seq.

[14.7.6.9 NMAC - Rp, 14.7.6.9, NMAC, 1-1-08]

 

14.7.6.10               CHAPTER 2 DEFINITIONS:  See this chapter of the IECC except as provided below.

                A.            Section 201.1 Scope.  See this section of the IECC and add the following: If the same term is defined in the New Mexico construction codes and in the IECC, the term shall have the meaning given it in the New Mexico construction codes.

                B.            Section 201.2 Interchangeability.  See this chapter of the IECC.

                C.            Section 201.3 Terms defined in other codes.  Delete this section of the IECC and substitute: if a term is not defined in this code but is defined in a New Mexico construction code, the term shall have the meaning given it in the New Mexico construction code.

                D.            Section 201.4 Terms not defined.  See this chapter of the IECC.

[14.7.6.10 NMAC - Rp, 14.7.6.10, NMAC, 1-1-08]

 

14.7.6.11               CHAPTER 3  CLIMATE ZONES:  See this section of the IECC.

                A.            Section 301.1 General.  See this section of the IECC and add the following sentence at the end of the section: “the building official may adjust the climate zones within a particular jurisdiction when site-specific climate conditions exist.”

                B.            Section 301.2. through 301.3.1.  See these sections of the IECC.

[14.7.6.11 NMAC - Rp, 14.7.6.11, NMAC, 1-1-08]

 

14.7.6.12               CHAPTER 4  RESIDENTIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY.

                A.            401 General.  See this section of the IECC.

                B.            402 Building thermal envelope.  See this section of the IECC except as provided below.

                    (1)     402.1 General (prescriptive).  See this section of the IECC.

                    (2)     402.2. Specific insulation requirements (prescriptive).  See this section of the IECC except as provided below.

                              (a)     402.2.5 Floors.  Delete the text of this section and substitute the following: The following requirements apply to new floors and to existing un-insulated floors, including above-garage and cantilevered floors.

                                        (i)     402.2.5.1 Floor insulation shall be installed to maintain permanent contact with the underside of the subfloor decking.

                                        (ii)     402.2.5.2 Batt and blown insulation shall be held in place by mechanical attachments.

                                        (iii)     402.2.5.3 The manufacturer’s published installation instructions for in-floor heating shall be followed.

                              (b)     402.2.7  Slab-on-grade floors.  See this section of the IECC and add the following provisions:

                                        (i)     402.2.7.1 Exception.  For slab-on-grade installations, the placement of vertical perimeter insulation shall not be required to penetrate the top four (4) inches of the slab at door thresholds or between unheated garages, storage or mechanical areas, and heated living spaces.  The required depth and placement of perimeter insulation shall not be required to a depth that exceeds that of the top of the spread footing or the bottom of the monolithically-poured footing as determined for frost protection.

                                        (ii)     Slab-on-grade sill plate sealer.  The space between the foundation and the bottom plate shall be sealed to limit infiltration by one of the following methods: application of a sill sealer that will expand and contract, or other equivalent material, between the foundation and the bottom plate; or application of caulk, or other equivalent material, to seal the bottom plate of exterior walls.

                              (c)     402.2.11 Band joist/rim joists and corners.  Band /rim joists and corners shall be insulated to the same level as exterior walls as required for wood frame wall R-values in Table 402.1.1 and must include an air barrier.

                              (d)     402.2.12 Skylight Shafts and Knee Walls.  Skylight shafts and knee walls shall be insulated to the same level as the exterior walls as required for wood frame wall R-values in Table 402.1.1.

                              (e)     402.2.13 Architectural Features.  Code required building envelope insulation and air sealing for exterior architectural features such as stairs and decks shall be continuous.

                              (f)     402.2.14 Insulation Installation Requirements.  Insulation shall be installed as follows:

                                        (i)     Insulation shall be installed according to manufacturer’s published installation instructions.

                                        (ii)     Wall insulation shall be enclosed on all six sides, and shall be in substantial contact with the sheathing material on at least one side (interior or exterior) of the cavity.

                                        (iii)     Insulation shall uniformly fill each cavity side-to-side and top-to-bottom, without substantial gaps or voids around obstructions (such as blocking or bridging).

                                        (iv)     Exterior rigid insulation shall be in firm contact with the structural sheathing materials, and shall be tightly fitted at joints.

                                        (v)     Cavity insulation shall be split, installed, and/or fitted tightly around wiring and other services.

                                        (vi)     Exterior sheathing shall not be visible from the interior through gaps in the cavity insulation.

                              (g)     402.3  Fenestration. (Prescriptive.)  See this section of the IECC except add the following new section: Section 402.3.7. Glazing-to-opaque wall area ratio.  The ratio of glazing to opaque wall area shall not exceed eighteen percent (18%).  Exception: when the ratio of glazing to opaque wall area exceeds eighteen percent (18%), compliance shall be demonstrated by using the calculation methods in the residential applications manual trade-off worksheet, dated June 2004, as prepared by the state of New Mexico energy, minerals and natural resources department.

                              (h)     402.4.1  Building Thermal Envelope.  Delete the text of this section of the IECC and substitute the following:

                                        (i)     402.1.1 Infiltration.  The building thermal envelope on all new construction shall be durably sealed to limit infiltration. The sealing methods between dissimilar materials shall allow for differential expansion and contraction. The following shall be caulked, gasketed, weather stripped or otherwise sealed with an air barrier material, suitable film or solid material: all joints, seams and penetrations; site-built windows, doors and skylights; openings between windows and door assemblies and curb mounted skylights and their respective jambs and framing; utility penetrations; dropped ceilings separating a garage from conditioned spaces; behind tubs and showers on exterior walls; and other sources of infiltration.

                                        (ii)     402.1.2  Existing building openings in level III alterations.  The existing building openings between conditioned and un-conditioned space must be fully sealed and insulated, and any remaining gaps must be sealed with caulk or foam.  Where required, fire rated material shall be used.

                                        (iii)     402.4.1.3 Existing building doors and windows.  Existing building openings between door and window assemblies and their respective jambs and framing shall be caulked, gasketed, weather stripped or otherwise sealed with an approved material.

                                        (iv)     402.4.1.4 Existing building skylight shaft insulation.  Where access is available, all skylights and knee walls shall be caulked, gasketed or weather stripped and knee walls shall be insulated with an approved material.

[14.7.6.12 NMAC - Rp, 14.7.6.12, NMAC, 1-1-08; A, 2-24-08]

 

14.7.6.13               CHAPTER 5  COMMERCIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY:  See this section of the IECC.

[14.7.6.13 NMAC - Rp, 14.7.6.13, NMAC, 1-1-08]

 

14.7.6.14               CHAPTER 6 REFERENCED STANDARDS:  See this section of the IECC.

[14.7.6.14 NMAC - Rp, 14.7.6.14, NMAC, 1-1-08]

 

HISTORY OF 14.7.6 NMAC:

Pre NMAC History:  None.

 

History of Repealed Material:

14.7.6 NMAC, 2003 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code (filed 5-27-04) repealed 1-1-08.

 

NMAC History:

14.7.6 NMAC, 2003 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code (filed 5-27-04) replaced by 14.7.6 NMAC, 2006 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code, effective 1-1-08.