(1) The Department of Labor and Industry adopts and incorporates by reference the International Code Council's International Energy Conservation Code, 2003 Edition, referred to as the International Energy Conservation Code, unless another edition is specifically stated, together with the following amendments:

(a) Subsection 104.1, General, is deleted and replaced with the following: "With each application for a building permit, and when required by the building official, plans and specifications shall be submitted. The building official may require plans and specifications be prepared by an engineer or architect licensed to practice by the state, except for owner-occupied, single-family dwelling houses. All designs submitted under the provisions of Chapter 4 shall be prepared by an engineer or architect licensed to practice by the state.

"Exceptions:

"1. The code official is authorized to waive the submission of construction documents and other supporting data not required to be prepared by an engineer or architect licensed to practice by the state if it is found the nature of the work applied for is such that reviewing of construction documents is not necessary to obtain compliance with this code.

"2. For residential buildings having a conditioned floor area of 5000 square feet (465m2) or less, designs submitted under the provisions of Chapter 4 shall be prepared by anyone having qualifications acceptable to the code official."

(b) Subsection 105.2, Approvals Required, is deleted in its entirety when the code is used by the Building Codes Bureau of the Department of Labor and Industry. It remains undeleted and available for use for certified local governments using the code.

(c) Subsection 502.2.3.6, Basement Walls, is amended by adding the following: "Basement wall insulation below uninsulated floors, except for rim joists and perimeter cripple walls, may be delayed until such time as the basement is actually finished for occupancy."

(d) Subsection 502.2.4.1, Walls, is amended by adding the following: "Lesser R value may be allowed for log building walls."

(e) Subsection 503.3.3.1, Piping Insulation, is amended by adding a fourth exception as follows: "4. Pipe insulation is not required in heated or conditioned areas."

(f) Table 503.3.3.3, Minimum Duct Insulation, is amended by adding footnote e as follows: "e. In locations where annual heating degree days exceeds 7500, minimum R-value for ducts in all areas need not exceed R-8."

(2) The purpose of the International Energy Conservation Code is to provide minimum requirements for the design of new buildings and structures and additions to existing buildings, regulating their exterior envelopes and selection of their heating, ventilating, air conditioning, service water heating, electrical distribution and illuminating systems, and equipment for effective use of energy.

(3) The International Energy Conservation Code is a nationally recognized model code for energy efficient construction of buildings. A copy of the International Energy Conservation Code may be obtained from the Department of Labor and Industry, Building Codes Bureau, P.O. Box 200517, Helena, MT 59620-0517, at cost plus postage and handling. A copy may also be obtained by writing to the International Code Council, 4051 West Flossmoor Road, Country Club Hills, IL 60478-5795.