State Energy Code and Residential Fire Sprinkler Adoption

The City and County of Broomfield Building Division will be hosting a public meeting on June 13th from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. We will be reviewing a proposal to adopt the new State Energy Code along with requiring fire sprinklers in all one - and - two family dwellings and townhomes built under the 2021 IRC.

State Model Energy Code
The Broomfield City Council reviewed preliminary information regarding the Model Energy Code on April 18, 2023 (External link)

during a study session and gave staff direction to bring the State Model Energy Code back for final consideration as soon as possible. The Colorado legislature passed a new bipartisan law in 2022 (HB22-1362) that updates minimum energy code requirements. Jurisdictions throughout the state must adopt at least the 2021 IECC, along with electric vehicle-ready, solar-ready, and electric-ready, when updating any other building codes between July 1, 2023 and July 1, 2026. In addition, jurisdictions must adopt at least a low-energy and carbon code and a new Energy Code Board (ECB) was formed to draft a model code that jurisdictions could utilize. Broomfield has already adopted the 2021 IECC, so the next step is to consider the State Model Energy Code to address the requirements related to electric vehicle ready, solar-ready, and electric-ready requirements.

The final version of the new State Energy Code will be available June 1. The State Energy Code will be posted on this webpage as well as on the City website and staff will provide a summary during the June 13th meeting. Draft information regarding the State Energy Code is available in the April 18, 2023 staff memorandum (External link)

The Colorado Energy Office will be presenting the following two informational webinars. The purpose of these webinars is to provide an overview of the final model electric ready and solar ready code for the public and answer any questions. The webinar dates are:

· June 2, 2023 from 10:00am-12:00pm MDT – register via Zoom

· June 8, 2023 from 9:30-11:30am MDT – register via Zoom

Fire Sprinkler Requirement Changes
Broomfield has adopted amendments to Broomfield Municipal Code Chapter 15-05 International Residential Code (IRC) which includes a locally applicable amendment to remove the requirement for residential fire sprinkler systems for new townhomes, paired homes, and single family homes.

Based on discussion during the public hearings for adoption of the 2021 code package, staff is bringing forward discussion and potential consideration of a code amendment to remove the local amendment which would effectively require fire sprinkler systems for all new townhomes, paired homes, and single family homes consistent with the 2021 IRC.

We will have a City Council study session on June 20th to discuss the proposal to adopt the residential fire sprinklers. We will provide details on potential cost impacts along with any feedback we receive from this public meeting.

The key dates section in the top right corner of the page will outline the public hearing schedule for the proposed updates.

Questions or comments may be provided in the forum below.