87R11390 MP-D
 
  By: Thierry H.B. No. 3634
 
 
 
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 250.011 to read as follows:
         Sec. 250.011.  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, 2022; 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, 2022, a municipality or
  county to which this Act applies shall take the necessary actions to
  implement Section 250.011, 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, 2021.