88R13953 MZM-D
By: Thierry H.B. No. 3153
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the adoption of county and municipal building codes for
the insulation and protection of piping in new residential
construction.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 250, Local Government Code, is amended
by adding Section 250.014 to read as follows:
Sec. 250.014. RESIDENTIAL PIPE INSULATION. (a) In
accordance with Subchapter G, Chapter 214, a municipality shall
adopt the building code regulations described by this section.
(b) A county to which Subchapter F, Chapter 233, applies
shall in accordance with that subchapter adopt the building code
regulations described by this section.
(c) A building code regulation adopted under this section
must:
(1) apply to new residential construction beginning on
or after January 1, 2024; and
(2) require a pipe to be:
(A) insulated to an R-value of not less than 3 if
the pipe is:
(i) associated with a mechanical system;
and
(ii) designed to carry a fluid at a
temperature of not less than 55 degrees Fahrenheit and not more than
105 degrees Fahrenheit; and
(B) protected from sunlight, moisture, and wind
with appropriate shielding materials not including adhesive tape if
the pipe is:
(i) described by Paragraph (A); and
(ii) exposed to outside weather conditions.
(d) In addition to the requirements under Subsection (c),
the regulations must require a pipe associated with service hot
water to be insulated to an R-value of not less than 3 if the pipe:
(1) is three-fourths inch or greater in diameter; or
(2) leads to a kitchen outlet, a distribution
manifold, or multiple dwelling units.
SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2024, a municipality or
county to which this Act applies shall take the necessary actions to
implement Section 250.014, Local Government Code, as added by this
Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2023.