SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 6169

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & UTILITIES, JANUARY 20, 1994

Brief Description:  Changing the energy building code for glazing, doors, and skylights.

SPONSORS: Senators Sutherland, Hochstatter and Haugen; by request of Department of Community Development and State Building Code Council

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & UTILITIES

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6169 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Sutherland, Chairman; Ludwig, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Hochstatter, McCaslin, Owen, Roach, Vognild, West and Williams.

Staff:  Phil Moeller (786‑7445)

Hearing Dates: January 18, 1994; January 20, 1994

BACKGROUND:

In a typical building envelope, most heat loss occurs through windows.  Minimum efficiency levels for windows, along with specific testing procedures, were adopted by the Legislature in the residential energy code legislation of 1990.

Until 1993, one specific laboratory within the state was testing most of the product lines produced by window manufacturers in this state.  The Federal Trade Commission challenged the accuracy of the laboratory's tests; eventually the case was settled but with many tests dating to the mid-1980's declared as invalid.  Without validated efficiency ratings, the value of many window product lines is jeopardized.

SUMMARY:

The procedures and testing standards are modified for windows, doors, and skylights.  U-values for windows, doors, and skylights shall be determined, certified and labeled in accordance with National Fenestration Rating Council standards adopted by the State Building Code Council.  The State Building Code Council may develop and adopt alternative methods of determining U-values for windows, doors and skylights.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

Technical corrections are made.

The procedures and testing standards are modified for windows, doors, and skylights.  U-values for windows shall be determined, certified and labeled in accordance with National Fenestration Rating Council standards adopted by the State Building Code Council.  U-values for doors and skylights determined, certified and labeled in accordance with appropriate National Fenestration Rating Council standards are acceptable.  The State Building Code Council may develop and adopt alternative methods of determining U-values for windows, doors and skylights.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

Testing procedures have evolved since they were specified as requirements in the 1990 legislation.  Because there are no testing laboratories in the state that test to the current statutory procedures, most of the window product lines are at risk of losing value unless the proposed procedures in this bill are adopted.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Gene Colin, Chair, Willy O'Neil, Manager, State Building Code Council; Tim Nogler, Energy Office; Jeff Harris, NW Power Planning Council; Mark Triplett, Greg Tisdal, Tiz Doors; Donald Kaiser, NW AAMA; Debra Brunold, Northwest Windows and Patio Doors