How New Energy and Building Codes Will Transform the Massachusetts Life Science Market

Meet the Author:
Adrian Walters, Life Sciences Market Leader
View Bio

New energy and building codes are set to transform how life science companies and universities in MA can carry out their lab work.

All lab building projects in the state—both new builds and renovations—must follow an updated set of rules on energy efficiency and chemical quantities. And in Boston and Cambridge, carbon reduction mandates are set to impact existing lab operations too.

In this Q&A Adrian Walters, SMMA’s Life Science Market Leader, sets out how these changes will impact developers, companies, and universities in Massachusetts.

Boston, MA

SmartLabs at 6 Tide Street

View Project

Adrian, why are these code changes keeping your life science clients up at night? 

There’s a lot of uncertainty about how the new energy and building codes will impact lab buildings in Massachusetts. Our developer clients are trying to figure out how they can still deliver quality, marketable lab space at a reasonable cost in the face of tougher sustainability requirements.

Meanwhile, life science companies and universities are excited by upcoming changes to Maximum Allowable Quantities (MAQs), which dictate how many gallons of chemicals you can use and store on each floor. The proposed increases should have positive ramifications for their research work. But they’re worried by the uncertainty around the adoption date and whether the changes can align with their construction schedules.

Lastly, almost everyone in Boston and Cambridge is wondering how their existing lab buildings can keep up with 2050 carbon reduction goals.

Proposed increases in MAQs will allow lab tenants to use far greater chemical quantities on higher floors.

What exactly is changing as a result of the new codes? 

1. Building Codes

The upcoming 10th Edition of the Massachusetts Building Code will radically change how we stack the program in high-rise lab buildings.  

Proposed increases in MAQs will allow lab tenants to use far greater chemical quantities on higher floors. Life science tenants should be able to ramp up the research capabilities of their upper-floor labs and increase the utilization of their labs across the whole building.

2. Energy Codes and Regulations

A new set of energy codes and regulations that are forcing lab buildings to drastically reduce their carbon emissions.  

At state level, the Massachusetts Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Energy Code requires new lab buildings and lab fit outs to meet very high standards of energy efficiency and heating electrification. At local level, Boston’s BERDO and Cambridge’s BEUDO require new and existing lab buildings to reduce emissions to carbon neutral over time.

San Francisco, MA

SmartLabs

View Project
Boston, MA

Entrada Therapeutics Headquarters

View Project

Are there alternative ways to comply? 

The BERDO and BUEDO codes leave some wiggle room in the form of hardship plans, carbon offsets (“Green Power”), and renewable energy purchases. But ultimately, the only way to guarantee compliance in the long term is to find a sustainable design solution—one based on carbon reduction goals and climate resiliency as part of a building’s operations. 

Statewide, what should people know about the new Massachusetts energy codes? 

The impacts will depend on your location. The stretch energy codes require new lab buildings or lab fit outs to meet high levels of energy efficiency, as well as some level of electrification of heating systems. 

Around 80% of communities in Massachusetts have adopted the new Stretch Energy Code, which came into force in 2023. But 44 communities, including many in the Greater Boston area, have also opted in to a more restrictive set of rules called the Specialized Stretch Energy Code. Most new lab projects in Massachusetts will be bound to the “Specialized code”. This mainly builds on the standard stretch code, with an extra focus on heating electrification and renewable energy.

There’s a lot of confusion around this code—we’re often asked if it applies to existing buildings as well. The answer is “no”. Only new lab building projects will fall under scrutiny.

The Specialized Stretch Energy Code presents three “pathways” for new lab projects to meet the state’s carbon neutral 2050 targets.

Pathway 1: All-Electric Heating
  • 100% electrification of heating
Pathway 2: Net Zero Energy
  • Renewable energy (onsite) greater than energy use of building
  • Fossil fuel only when fully offset with renewable energy from installed solar PV 
Pathway 3: Fossil Fuel Heating
  • High performance equipment efficiencies
  • Installed solar PV
  • Pre-wiring for future 100% electrification of heating
  • HVAC retrofit plan

Talk with Adrian for advice on how to make the most of new Massachusetts building and energy codes for your next lab project.

Adrian Walters,  Life Sciences Market Leader
Next Perspective

Why Massachusetts Schools are Finally Embracing Net Zero Energy

Read More
smma-slogan