March 2021 Updates

HVAC Construction Supervisor License (CSL) Update | March 2021

Efforts to create a Board of Building Regulation and Standards (BBRS) approved HVAC Construction Supervisor License (CSL) continue. When the ACA/NE proposal was heard the BBRS voted to form a study group to resolve issues that have been identified by several Boards that have reviewed the ACA/NE HVAC CSL plan. ACA/NE is actively engaged in efforts to have this study group activated so the process and the proposal can move forward.

The BBRS has created a Study Group to resolve issues identified by several Boards.

The Study Group includes representatives from the following:
  • ACA/NE
  • Department of Public Safety
  • Department of Fire Services
  • Department of Energy Resources
  • Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters
  • Board of Sheet Metal Workers
  • Bureau of Pipefitters, Refrigeration Technicians, and Sprinklerfitters

Manny Chaves from Chaves Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc., and Government Affairs Committee Chairman, is representing ACA/NE on the Study Group.

BBRS Duct Testing

  • ACA/NE has submitted proposed amendments  with the Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS)  to revise the provisions that allow only HERS Raters and BPI Certified professionals to conduct duct testing and testing of mechanical systems.
  • While the provisions are currently not in effect, ACA/Ne has learned that this issue could be resolved  as updates are made to the 2021 Energy Code.

​​Massachusetts Refrigeration License Information

  • ACA/NE continues to work to defeat legislation to require that residential HVAC contractors obtain a refrigeration license. Currently, the license is required for work or over 10 tons.
  • The bill has been refiled for 2021.  Click here to read House Docket, No. 1255

​Request to Amend Adoption Of 2021 Editions of IECC & IRC, Chapter 11, Energy

  • During the Final Public Comment Hearing on the 2019 Proposed Changes to the International Codes (“Group B”), the ICC membership approved proposed changes that (a) deleted “Exception 1,” which exempted ducts located within the thermal envelope from being leak tested, and (b) added a leak test criteria and tolerances for such ducts.
  • The proposed changes were opposed by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), the National Association of Home Builders, and the National Multi-Family Housing Council, among others. Despite their comments and testimony, the proposals were narrowly approved for publication in the 2021 editions of the above codes, which are pending publication by ICC.
  • ACA/NE will file an amendment to the Massachusetts Building Code that if passed will not require that a duct air-leakage test be conducted where the ducts and air handlers are located entirely within the building thermal envelope.

 ACCA Form Redesign


The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), the national HVAC association, has designed a new simplified form that HVAC companies can use when submitting an application for HVAC work.  The new form will be helpful to both contractors and building

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