Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Local Government & Housing

HB 1555

Brief Description:  Adopting state building codes.

Sponsors:  Representatives Dunshee, Mulliken, Cooper, Cairnes, Kirby and Mielke.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Replaces the various uniform model codes and standards published by the International Conference of Building Officials and the International Fire Code Institute with uniform international codes and standards published by the International Code Council, Inc., as the state building code.

Hearing Date:  2/5/01

Staff:  Kenny Pittman (786‑7392).

Background: 

The state building code consists of a series of uniform model codes and standards that regulate the construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings and structures.  These model codes are developed and published by the International Conference of Building Officials (Uniform Building Code and Uniform Mechanical Code), the International Fire Code Institute (Uniform Fire Code), and the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (Uniform Plumbing Code and Plumbing Code Standards). 

The state building code also consists of adopted rules and regulations designed to make buildings and facilities accessible to and usable by the physically disabled or elderly persons and the state energy code.  These uniform model codes and regulations are enforced by all counties, cities, and towns.

The State Building Code Council (SBCC) is responsible for the adoption and maintenance of the uniform model codes that comprise the state building code.  The SBCC is required to regularly review updated versions of the uniform model codes and must amend the uniform model codes as appropriate.  All decisions to adopt or amend the uniform model codes must be made prior to December 1 of any year and do not take effect before the end of the regular legislative session the next year.  The SBCC recently completed the update and adoption process of the state building code in November 2000.  The uniform model code update process is based on a three-year cycle. The revised state building code will take effect on July 1, 2001.

The International Code Council (ICC) was established in 1994, as a nonprofit organization with the purpose of developing a single set of codes and standards that can be used in the construction, reconstruction, or rehabilitation of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings and structures.  Currently, the ICC consist of the Building Officials and Code Administrators International, Inc. (BOCA), the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO), and the Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc. (SBCCI).  These organizations represent three of the various model code writing organizations that have developed model codes and standards used by various jurisdictions throughout the country.

Summary of Bill: 

The series of uniform codes and standards that comprise the state building code are changed to the International Codes published by the International Code Council, Inc.  The state building code consists of:

- International Building Code and International Residential Code, published by the International      Code Council, Inc;

- International Mechanical Code, as published by the International Code Council, Inc;

  International Fire Code; as published by the International Code Council;

- Uniform Plumbing Code and Uniform Plumbing Code Standards; as published by the       International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials; and

- Standards established by State Building Code Council for making buildings and facilities       accessible to and usable by the physically disabled or elderly persons.

The State Building Code Council is responsible for the adoption and maintenance of the model codes and standards that comprise the state building code.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 31, 2001.