Public hearings coming up for proposed building code changes

The State Building Code Council is entering the public comment period on the adoption and state amendments to the Group 2 Codes (IRC, IMC, UPC and WSEC-Residential). The public hearings will be held in:

• Spokane at the Center Place Regional Events Center on September 13, 2019; and
• Olympia at the Department of Enterprise Services building on September 27, 2019.

In addition, there are some correlation issues in the IBC and IFC remaining from the Group 1 codes. The 2018 codes are anticipated to go into effect July 1, 2020.

The following codes are being considered for changes:

(Note: these links work best when opening in Internet Explorer.)

2018 International Building Code – Correlation issues on stair pressurization and smoke control.
Submit written comments on the 2018 IBC

2018 International Fire Code – Correlation of existing state amendments and 2018 IFC language.
Submit written comments on the 2018 IFC

2018 Washington State Energy Code-Residential – Proposed changes to the WSEC including changes to the point structure (including carbon emission factor), new requirements for gas fireplace efficiency, electric readiness for appliances, and a new Passive House compliance option.
Submit written comments on the 2018 WSEC-R

2018 International Residential Code – Proposed changes to the 2018 IRC, including adoption of a modified Appendix Q for tiny houses. For those of you following tiny house policy changes, this rule change is in response to SB 5383.
Submit written comments on the 2018 IRC

2018 International Mechanical Code – Proposed changes to the 2018 IMC, including revised requirements for whole-house ventilation.
Submit written comments on the 2018 IMC

2018 Uniform Plumbing Code – Proposed changes to the 2018 UPC, including new requirements for water conserving fixtures.
Submit written comments on the 2018 UPC