S-98                  _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 5691

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Senator Metcalf

Read first time 2/6/87 and referred to Committee on Commerce & Labor.

AN ACT Relating to blow-in and batt/roll insulation products; amending RCW 19.27.074; and adding a new section to chapter 19.27A RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 19.27A RCW to read as follows:

          (1) Cities, towns, and counties enforcing the state energy code shall require inspection by a certified insulation inspector of the installation of all insulation products.  For purposes of this section "insulation products" includes fiberglass and rockwool blow-in, batt and roll product as well as cellulose fiber blown-in insulation.

          (2) Certified insulation inspectors shall inspect the following:

          (a) -----------; and

          (b) Other aspects of insulation installation as determined in guidelines to be adopted by the state building  code council.

          (3) The department of licensing shall implement a program to certify persons to inspect the installation of mineral wool product insulation.  The department may charge a fee in accordance with RCW 43.24.086.  To be certified, an inspector shall have had paid employment in the construction or insulation business and pass a written and oral examination administered by the department of licensing that tests competency in:

          (a) Basic construction techniques and material;

          (b) Knowledge of energy technology;

          (c) Knowledge of state energy codes; and

          (d) Knowledge of energy conservation products and their application in building construction.

        Sec. 2.  Section 2, chapter 360, Laws of 1985 and RCW 19.27.074 are each amended to read as follows:

          (1) The state building code council shall:

          (a) Maintain the codes to which reference is made in RCW 19.27.031 in a status which is consistent with the state's interest as set forth in RCW 19.27.020.  In maintaining these codes, the council shall regularly review updated versions of the codes referred to in RCW 19.27.031 and other pertinent information and shall amend the codes as deemed appropriate by the council;

          (b) Approve or deny all county or city amendments to any code referred to in RCW 19.27.031 to the degree the amendments apply to single family or multifamily residential buildings;

          (c) As required by the legislature, develop and adopt any codes relating to buildings; and

          (d) Propose a budget for the operation of the state building code council to be submitted to the office of financial management pursuant to RCW 43.88.090.

          (2) The state building code council may:

          (a) Appoint technical advisory committees which may include members of the council;

          (b) Employ permanent and temporary staff and contract for services; ((and))

          (c) Conduct research into matters relating to any code or codes referred to in RCW 19.27.031 or any related matter;

(d) Adopt guidelines for all insulation product installation; and

(e) Develop and implement a program to certify persons to inspect the installation insulation products.

          All meetings of the state building code council shall be open to the public under the open public meetings act, chapter 42.30 RCW.  All actions of the state building code council which adopt or amend any code of state-wide applicability shall be pursuant to the administrative procedure act, chapter 34.04 RCW.

          All council decisions relating to the codes enumerated in RCW 19.27.031 shall require approval by at least a majority of the members of the council.

          All decisions to adopt or amend codes of state-wide application shall be made prior to December 1 of any year and shall not take effect before the end of the regular legislative session in the next year.