Rulemaking And Code History
Standards Process
The International Code Council, a professional association providing technical, educational and administrative support to governmental departments and agencies engaged in building codes administration, develops the codes and standards used to construct residential and commercial buildings. The ICC revises the energy code every three years to reflect better science, improved materials and performance gains. The collaborative proposal process is open and lengthy. Testimony on the proposed changes is heard at a public hearing composed of building industry professionals, public interest groups, government agencies and other interested parties. At a final action hearing, governmental members vote on the changes.
When new ICC codes are published, Energy Systems Laboratory (ESL), a division of Texas A&M University reviews the new editions to ensure stringency of the IRC and IECC compared to existing Texas energy codes. ESL then provides SECO a written recommendation based on analysis and public review. If ESL recommends adopting the new code, a stakeholder meeting is held to gain input and a draft of the new rule is published for public comment. After comments are reviewed, SECO then decides whether to adopt the latest energy codes in Texas.
Cities can continue to adopt local amendments provided that ESL first reviews the amendments and determines that local rule is either as strict or stricter than existing state codes.
Energy Systems Laboratory - Technical Review
According to the Health and Safety Code, Chapter 388, the Energy Systems Laboratory (ESL) of the Texas Engineering Experiment Station at Texas A&M University is tasked with reviewing the stringency of the latest editions of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and the International Residential Code, Chapter 11. Upon completion, ESL provides a letter of review to SECO.
2012 IECC and Ch. 11 of IRC
Letter of Review
Technical Review - Residential
Technical Review - Commercial
2009 IECC and Ch. 11 of IRC
Letter of Recommendation
Technical Review
2006 IECC
Letter of Review
2003 IECC
Letter of Review
Code History
Commercial And Residential (Excluding Single-Family Residences)
Effective Dates Codes Prior to 1999 Texas had no mandatory statewide energy code. September 1, 2001 – March 31, 2011 2000 IECC with 2001 Supplement April 1, 2011 – Present 2009 IECC Residential (Single Family Residences And Duplexes)
Effective Dates Codes Prior to 1999 Texas had no mandatory statewide energy code. September 1, 2001 – December 31, 2011 2000 IECC with 2001 Supplement January 1, 2012 2009 IRC, Chapter 11 State-Funded Commercial Buildings
Effective Dates Codes June 1, 1989 – August 12, 2002 Texas Design Standard August 13, 2002 – August 31, 2005 ASHRAE 90.1 1999 September 1, 2005 – December 31, 2008 ASHRAE 90.1 2004 January 1, 2009 – August 31, 2011 ASHRAE 90.1 2007 September 1, 2011 – Present ASHRAE 90.1 2010 State-Funded Residential Buildings
Effective Dates Codes June 1, 1989 – 1993 Texas Design Standard 1993 – August 31, 2005 1993 CABO MEC September 1, 2005 – May 31, 2011 2003 IECC June 1, 2011 – Present 2009 IECC