Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 07-09-097.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Amendment of chapter 51-51 WAC, further amendment of the 2006 Edition of the International Residential Code (IRC).

     Hearing Location(s): Spokane City Council Chambers, West 808 Spokane Falls Boulevard, Spokane, WA, on September 14, 2007, at 10:00 a.m.; and at the Tukwila Community Center, 12424 42nd Avenue South, Tukwila, WA, on October 12, 2007, at 10:00 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: November 9, 2007.

     Submit Written Comments to: John Neff, Council Chair, P.O. Box 42525, Olympia, WA 98504-2525, e-mail sbcc@cted.wa.gov, fax (360) 586-9383, by October 12, 2007.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Sue Mathers by August 31, 2007, TTY (360) 586-0772 or (360) 725-2966.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: This proposal to amend the 2006 International Residential Code would make the following changes:

     Sections 0202 and 0301: The definitions of "Balcony" and "Deck" are deleted from Section R202 and Table R301 is modified to include exterior balconies in the same category and with the same live load as decks.

     Section 0302: The provisions related to fire separation distance in Section R302 are amended to retain the requirements from the 2003 edition of the IRC. (Currently an emergency rule under WSR 07-09-103.)

     Section 0317: Section R317.2.4, Structural independence, is proposed to be deleted, as it conflicts with the seismic requirements of the code.

     Section 0404: Section R404, Foundation and Retaining Walls, is amended to reflect the language adopted for the 2009 edition of the IRC. The 2006 language was felt to be overly restrictive. (Currently an emergency rule under WSR 07-13-069.)

     Section 0602: The title of Section R602.9 is amended to read "Foundation cripple walls" to clarify the section applies only to said walls, and the language of the section is amended for consistency with the existing state amendments in Section R602.10.

     Section 0703: A third exception is proposed to Section R703.1, General (Exterior Covering), to clarify that an airspace is not required behind wood or fiber cement siding.

     Section 1501: Section M1501, Outdoor discharge, is amended to refer to "whole-house cooling attic fans" for consistency with the Mechanical Code and Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality Code.

     Section 2439: Section G2439.5 is amended to require that dryer exhaust ducts be protected from penetrations that could collect lint and cause a fire hazard, consistent with the state amendment to the Mechanical Code.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074.

     Statute Being Implemented: Chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW.

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Agency Comments or Recommendations, if any, as to Statutory Language, Implementation, Enforcement, and Fiscal Matters: The council is seeking comments on the issues proposed in the rules shown below.

     Name of Proponent: Washington state building code council, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Tim Nogler, P.O. Box 42525, Olympia, WA 98504-2525, (360) 725-2969; and Enforcement: Local jurisdictions.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. No disproportionate economic impact on small business was identified. This rule will modify the adoption of model codes to stay current with national standards for the benefit of industry and Washington state interests. New state amendments clarify and simplify the code.

     A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. The state building code council is not listed in this section as one of the agencies required to comply with this statute.

June 8, 2007

John P. Neff

Council Chair

OTS-9884.1

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 07-01-090, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07)

WAC 51-51-0202   Section R202 -- Definitions.  

ADULT FAMILY HOME means a dwelling in which a person or persons provide personal care, special care, room and board to more than one but not more than six adults who are not related by blood or marriage to the person or persons providing the services.

BALCONY, EXTERIOR. Definition is not adopted.

CHILD DAY CARE, shall, for the purposes of these regulations, mean the care of children during any period of a 24 hour day.

CHILD DAY CARE HOME, FAMILY is a child day care facility, licensed by the state, located in the dwelling of the person or persons under whose direct care and supervision the child is placed, for the care of twelve or fewer children, including children who reside at the home.

DECK. Definition is not adopted.

DWELLING UNIT. A single unit providing complete independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation. Dwelling units may also include the following uses:

     1. Adult family homes, foster family care homes and family day care homes licensed by the Washington state department of social and health services.

     2. Offices, mercantile, food preparation for off-site consumption, personal care salons or similar uses which are conducted primarily by the occupants of the dwelling unit and are secondary to the use of the unit for dwelling purposes, and which do not exceed 500 square feet (46.4m²).

SMALL BUSINESS. Any business entity (including a sole proprietorship, corporation, partnership or other legal entity) which is owned and operated independently from all other businesses, which has the purpose of making a profit, and which has fifty or fewer employees, or which has a million dollars or less per year in gross sales, of window products.

UNUSUALLY TIGHT CONSTRUCTION. Construction meeting the following requirements:

     1. Walls exposed to the outside atmosphere having a continuous water vapor retarder with a rating of 1 perm (57 ng/s·m˛·Pa) or less with openings gasketed or sealed;

     2. Openable windows and doors meeting the air leakage requirements of the International Energy Conservation Code, Section 502.1.4; and

     3. Caulking or sealants are applied to areas such as joints around window and door frames, between sole plates and floors, between wall-ceiling joints, between wall panels, at penetrations for plumbing, electrical and gas lines, and at other openings; or

     4. Buildings built in compliance with the 1986 or later editions of the Washington State Energy Code chapter 51-11 WAC, Northwest Energy Code, or Super Good Cents weatherization standards or equivalent.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.020, and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. 07-01-090, § 51-51-0202, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. 04-01-109, § 51-51-0202, filed 12/17/03, effective 7/1/04.]

	a.Elevated garage floors shall be capable of supporting a 2,000-pound load applied over a 20-square-inch area.
	b.Attics without storage are those where the maximum clear height between joist and rafter is less than 42 inches, or where there are not two or more adjacent trusses with the same web configuration capable of containing a rectangle 42 inches high by 2 feet wide, or greater, located within the plane of the truss. For attics without storage, this live load need not be assumed to act concurrently with any other live load requirements.
	c.Individual stair treads shall be designed for the uniformly distributed live load or a 300-pound concentrated load acting over an area of 4 square inches, whichever produces the greater stresses.
	d.A single concentrated load applied in any direction at any point along the top.
	e.See Section R502.2.1 for decks attached to exterior walls.
	f.Guard in-fill components (all those except the handrail), balusters and panel fillers shall be designed to withstand a horizontally applied normal load of 50 pounds on an area equal to 1 square foot. This load need not be assumed to act concurrently with any other live load requirement.
	g.For attics with limited storage and constructed with trusses, this live load needs to be applied only to those portions of the bottom chord where there are two or more adjacent trusses with the same web configuration capable of containing a rectangle 42 inches high or greater by 2 feet wide or greater, located within the plane of the truss. The rectangle shall fit between the top of the bottom chord and the bottom of any other truss member, provided that each of the following criteria is met:
	1.The attic area is accessible by a pull-down stairway or framed opening in accordance with Section R807.1; and
	2.The truss has a bottom chord pitch less than 2:12.
	h.Attic spaces served by a fixed stair shall be designed to support the minimum live load specified for sleeping rooms.
	i.Glazing used in handrail assemblies and guards shall be designed with a safety factor of 4. The safety factor shall be applied to each of the concentrated loads applied to the top of the rail, and to the load on the in-fill components. These live loads shall be determined independent of one another, and loads are assumed not to occur with any other live load.

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R302.1 Exterior walls. Exterior walls with a fire separation distance less than 3 feet (914 mm) shall have not less than a one-hour fire-resistive rating with exposure from both sides. Projections shall not extend to a point closer than 2 feet (610 mm) from the line used to determine the fire separation distance.

EXCEPTION:

Detached garages accessory to a dwelling located within 2 feet of a lot line may have roof eave projections not exceeding 4 inches.

     Projections extending into the fire separation distance shall have not less than one-hour fire-resistive construction on the underside. The above provisions shall not apply to walls which are perpendicular to the line used to determine the fire separation distance.

EXCEPTION:

Tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar structures exempted from permits by Section R105.2 are not required to provide wall protection based on location on the lot. Projections beyond the wall shall not extend over the lot line.

R302.2 Openings. Openings shall not be permitted in the exterior wall of a dwelling or accessory building with a fire separation distance less than 3 feet (914 mm). This distance shall be measured perpendicular to the line used to determine the fire separation distance.

EXCEPTION:	1. Openings shall be permitted in walls that are perpendicular to the line used to determine the fire separation distance.
	2. Foundation vents installed in compliance with this code are permitted.

R302.3 Penetrations. Penetrations located in the exterior wall of a dwelling with a fire separation distance of less than 3 feet (914 mm) shall be protected in accordance with Section R317.3.

EXCEPTION:

Penetrations shall be permitted in walls that are perpendicular to the line used to determine the fire separation distance.

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R317.2 Townhouses. Each townhouse shall be considered a separate building and shall be separated by fire-resistance-rated wall assemblies meeting the requirements of Section R302 for exterior walls.

EXCEPTION:

A common 2-hour fire-resistance-rated wall is permitted for townhouses if such walls do not contain plumbing or mechanical equipment, ducts or vents in the cavity of the common wall. Penetrations of electrical outlet boxes shall be in accordance with Section R317.3.

R317.2.1 Continuity. The fire-resistance-rated wall or assembly separating townhouses shall be continuous from the foundation to the underside of the roof sheathing, deck or slab. The fire-resistance-rating shall extend the full length of the wall or assembly, including wall extensions through and separating attached enclosed accessory structures.

     Where a story extends beyond the exterior wall of a story below:

     1. The fire-resistance-rated wall or assembly shall extend to the outside edge of the upper story; or

     2. The underside of the exposed floor-ceiling assembly shall be protected as required for projections in Section R302.

R317.2.4 Structural independence. Each individual townhouse shall be structurally independent.

EXCEPTIONS:	1. Foundation supporting exterior walls or common walls.
	2. Structural roof and wall sheathing from each unit may be fastened to the common wall framing.
	3. Nonstructural wall coverings.
	4. Flashing at termination of roof covering over common wall.
	5. Townhouses separated by a common 2-hour fire-resistive rated wall as provided in Section R317.2.
	6. Floor sheathing may fasten to the floor framing of both units.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.020, and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. 07-01-090, § 51-51-0317, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07.]

R404.1 Concrete and masonry foundation walls. Concrete and masonry foundation walls shall be selected and constructed in accordance with the provisions of Section R404 or in accordance with ACI 318, ACI 332, NCMA TR68-A or ACI 530/ASCE 5/TMS 402 or other approved structural standards. When ACI 318, ACI 332 or ACI 530/ASCE 5/TMS 402 or the provisions of Section R404 are used to design concrete or masonry foundation walls, project drawings, typical details and specifications are not required to bear the seal of the architect or engineer responsible for the design, unless otherwise required by the state law of the jurisdiction having authority.

     ((Foundation walls that meet all of the following shall be considered laterally supported:

     1. Full basement floor shall be 3.5 inches (89 mm) thick concrete slab poured tight against the bottom of the foundation wall.

     2. Floor joists and blocking shall be connected to the sill plate at the top of the wall by the prescriptive method called out in Table R404.1(1), or; shall be connected with an approved connector with listed capacity meeting Table 404.1(1).

     3. Bolt spacing for the sill plate shall be no greater than per Table R404.1(2).

     4. Floor shall be blocked perpendicular to the floor joists. Blocking shall be full depth within two joist spaces of the foundation wall, and be flat-blocked with minimum 2-inch by 4-inch (51 mm by 102 mm) blocking elsewhere.

     5. Where foundation walls support unbalanced load on opposite sides of the building, such as a daylight basement, the building aspect ratio, L/W, shall not exceed the value specified in Table R404.1(3). For such foundation walls, the rim board shall be attached to the sill with a 20 gage metal angle clip at 24 inches (610 mm) on center, with five 8d nails per leg, or an approved connector supplying 230 pounds per linear foot (3.36 kN/m) capacity.

EXCEPTION:

Foundations constructed entirely of concrete with stem walls not exceeding 5 feet (1524 mm) in height and supporting less than 4 feet (1220 mm) of unbalanced backfill are exempt from the lateral bracing requirements of Section R404.1.))

Tables R404.1(1), R404.1(2), and R404.1(3) are not adopted.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.020, and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. 07-01-090, § 51-51-0404, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07.]

R602.3 Design and construction. Exterior walls of wood light-framed construction shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and Figures R602.3(1) and R602.3(2) or in accordance with AF&PA's NDS. Components of exterior walls shall be fastened in accordance with Table R602.3(1) through R602.3(4). Exterior walls covered with foam plastic sheathing shall be braced in accordance with Section R602.10. Structural sheathing shall be fastened directly to structural framing members.

R602.3.4 Bottom (sole) plate. Studs shall have full bearing on a 2-inch nominal (38 mm) or larger plate or sill having a width at least equal to the width of the studs.

R602.9 Foundation cripple walls. Foundation cripple walls shall be framed of studs not smaller than the studding above. When exceeding 4 feet (1219 mm) in height, such walls shall be framed of studs having the size required for an additional story.

     Cripple walls supporting exterior walls or interior braced wall panels as required in Section R403.1.2 and R403.1.2.1 with a stud height less than 14 inches (356 mm) shall be sheathed on at least one side with a wood structural panel that is fastened to both the top and bottom plates in accordance with Table R602.3(1), or the cripple walls shall be constructed of solid blocking. Cripple walls supporting exterior walls or interior braced wall panels as required in Section R403.1.2 and R403.1.2.1 shall be supported on foundations.

R602.10 Wall bracing. All exterior walls shall be braced in accordance with this section. In addition, interior braced wall lines shall be provided in accordance with Section 602.10.11. For buildings in Seismic Design Categories D₀, D₁ and D₂, walls shall be constructed in accordance with the additional requirements of Sections R602.10.11 through R602.11.3.

R602.10.2 Cripple wall bracing.

R602.10.2.1 Seismic Design Categories Other than D₂. In Seismic Design Categories other than D₂, cripple walls supporting exterior walls or interior braced wall panels as required in Section R403.1.2 and R403.1.2.1 shall be braced with an amount and type of bracing as required for the wall above in accordance with Table R602.10.1 with the following modifications for cripple wall bracing:

     1. The percent bracing amount as determined from Table R602.10.1 shall be increased by 15 percent; and

     2. The wall panel spacing shall be decreased to 18 feet (5486 mm) instead of 25 feet (7620 mm).

R602.10.2.2 Seismic Design Category D₂. In Seismic Design Category D₂, cripple walls supporting exterior walls or interior braced wall panels as required in Section R403.1.2 and R403.1.2.1 shall be braced in accordance with Table R602.10.1.

R602.10.2.3 Redesignation of cripple walls. In any Seismic Design Category, cripple walls are permitted to be redesignated as the first story walls for purposes of determining wall bracing requirements. If the cripple walls are redesignated, the stories above the redesignated story shall be counted as the second and third stories, respectively.

R602.10.5 Continuous wood structural panel sheathing. When continuous wood structural panel sheathing is provided in accordance with Method 3 of Section R602.10.3 on all sheathable areas of all exterior walls including areas above and below openings, braced wall panel lengths are not required to be in accordance with Section R602.10.4 provided they are in accordance with Table R602.10.5. Wood structural panel sheathing shall be installed at corners in accordance with Figure R602.10.5. The bracing percentages in Table R602.10.1 for Method 3 shall be permitted to be multiplied by a factor of 0.9 for exterior walls with a maximum opening height that does not exceed 85 percent of the wall height or a factor of 0.8 for exterior walls with a maximum opening height that does not exceed 67 percent of the wall height.

     a. Linear interpolation shall be permitted.

     b. Full-height sheathed wall segments on either side of garage openings that support roofs of light-framed construction only, with roof covering dead loads of 3 psf or less shall be permitted to have a 4:1 height-to-width ratio.

     c. Walls on either or both sides of openings in garages attached to fully sheathed dwellings shall be permitted to be built in accordance with Section R602.10.6.2 and Figure R602.10.6.2 except that a single sill plate shall be permitted and two anchor bolts shall be placed at 1/3 points. In addition, tie-down devices shall not be required and the vertical wall segment shall have a maximum 6:1 height-to-width ratio (with height being measured from top of header to the bottom of the sill plate). This option shall be permitted for the first story of two-story applications in Seismic Design Categories A through C.

R602.10.6 Alternate braced wall panel construction methods. Alternate braced wall panels shall be constructed in accordance with Sections R602.10.6.1 and R602.10.6.2.

R602.10.6.1 Alternate braced wall panels. Alternate braced wall panels constructed in accordance with one of the following provisions shall be permitted to replace each 4 feet (1219 mm) of braced wall panel as required by Section R602.10.4. The maximum height and minimum width of each panel shall be in accordance with Table R602.10.6.

     1. In one-story buildings, each panel shall be sheathed on one face with 3/8-inch-minimum-thickness (9.5 mm) wood structural panel sheathing nailed with 8d common or galvanized box nails in accordance with Table R602.3(1) and blocked at all wood structural panel sheathing edges. Two anchor bolts installed in accordance with Figure R403.1(1) shall be provided in each panel. Anchor bolts shall be placed in from each end of the panel a horizontal distance of one-fourth the panel width. Each panel end stud shall have a tie-down device fastened to the foundation, capable of providing an uplift capacity in accordance with Table R602.10.6. The tie-down device shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. The panels shall be supported directly on a foundation or on floor framing supported directly on a foundation which is continuous across the entire length of the braced wall line. This foundation shall be reinforced with not less than one No. 4 bar top and bottom. When the continuous foundation is required to have a depth greater than 12 inches (305 mm), a minimum 12-inch by 12-inch (305 mm by 305 mm) continuous footing or turned down slab edge is permitted at door openings in the braced wall line. This continuous footing or turned down slab edge shall be reinforced with not less than one No. 4 bar top and bottom. This reinforcement shall be lapped 15 inches (381 mm) with the reinforcement required in the continuous foundation located directly under the braced wall line.

     2. In the first story of two-story buildings, each braced wall panel shall be in accordance with Item 1 above, except that the following:

     2.1 The wood structural panel sheathing shall be provided on both faces;

     2.2 Sheathing edge nailing spacing shall not exceed 4 inches on center; and

     2.3 Anchor bolts shall be placed at the center of the panel width and in from each end of the panel a horizontal distance of one-fifth the panel width (three total).

R602.10.7 Panel joints. All vertical joints of panel sheathing shall occur over, and be fastened to, common studs. Horizontal joints in braced wall panels shall occur over, and be fastened to, common blocking of a minimum 2 inches in nominal thickness.

EXCEPTION:

Blocking is not required behind horizontal joints in Seismic Design Categories A and B and detached dwellings in Seismic Design Category C when constructed in accordance with Section R602.10.3, braced-wall-panel construction Method 3 and Table R602.10.1, Method 3, or where permitted by the manufacturer's installation requirements for the specific sheathing material.

R602.10.8 Connections. Braced wall panel bottom (sole) plates shall be fastened to the floor framing and top plates shall be connected to the framing above in accordance with Table R602.3(1). Sill plates shall be fastened to the footing, foundation or slab in accordance with Sections R403.1.6 and R602.11. Where joists are perpendicular to the braced wall lines above, blocking shall be provided under and in line with the braced wall panels. Where joists are perpendicular to braced wall lines below, blocking shall be provided over and in line with the braced wall panels. Where joists are parallel to braced wall lines above or below, a rim joist or other parallel framing member shall be provided at the wall to permit fastening per Table R602.3(1). For buildings in Seismic Design Categories D₀, D₁ and D₂, braced wall panels shall also be fastened in accordance with Section R602.11.2.

R602.10.9 Interior braced wall support. This section is not adopted. See Section R403.1.2.

R602.10.10 Design of structural elements. Where a building, or portion thereof, does not comply with one or more of the bracing requirements in Sections R602.10 through R602.10.9, those portions shall be designed and constructed in accordance with accepted engineering practice.

R602.10.11 Bracing in Seismic Design Categories D₀, D₁ and D₂. Structures located in Seismic Design Categories D₀, D₁ and D₂ shall have exterior and interior braced wall lines.

R602.10.11.1 Braced wall line spacing. Spacing between braced wall lines in each story shall not exceed 25 feet (7620 mm) on center in both the longitudinal and transverse directions.

EXCEPTION:

In one- and two-story buildings two adjacent braced wall lines shall not exceed 35 feet (10,363 mm) on center in order to accommodate an area not exceeding 900 square feet (84 m2) in each dwelling unit. Spacing between all other braced wall lines shall not exceed 25 feet (7620 mm).

R602.10.11.2 Braced wall panel location. Exterior braced wall lines shall be provided with a braced wall panel located at each end of the braced wall line.

EXCEPTION:	For braced wall panel construction Method 3 of Section R602.10.3, the braced wall panel shall be permitted to begin no more than 8 feet (2438 mm) from each end of the braced wall line provided one of the following is satisfied:
	1. A minimum 24-inch-wide (610 mm) panel is applied to each side of the building corner and the two 24-inch-wide (610 mm) panels at the corner shall be attached to framing in accordance with Figure R602.10.5; or
	2. The end of each braced wall panel closest to the corner shall have a tie-down device fastened to the stud at the edge of the braced wall panel closest to the corner and to the foundation or framing below. The tie-down device shall be capable of providing an uplift allowable design value of at least 1,800 pounds (8 kN). The tie-down device shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

R602.10.11.3 Collectors. A designed collector shall be provided if a braced wall panel is not located at each end of a braced wall line as indicated in Section R602.10.11.2 or, when using the Section R602.10.11.2 Exception, if a braced wall panel is more than 8 feet (2438 mm) from each end of a braced wall line.

R602.10.11.4 Cripple wall bracing. In addition to the requirements of Section R602.10.2, where interior braced wall panels occur without a foundation below, the length of parallel exterior cripple wall bracing shall be one and one-half times the length required by Table R602.10.1. Where cripple walls braced using Method 3 of Section R602.10.3 cannot provide this additional length, the capacity of the sheathing shall be increased by reducing the spacing of fasteners along the perimeter of each piece of sheathing to 4 inches (102 mm) on center.

R602.10.11.5 Sheathing attachment. Adhesive attachment of wall sheathing shall not be permitted in Seismic Design Categories C, D₀, D₁ and D₂.

    
R602.11 Framing and connections for Seismic Design Categories D₀, D₁ and D₂. The framing and connection details of buildings located in Seismic Design Categories D₀, D₁ and D₂ shall be in accordance with Sections R602.11.1 through R602.11.3.

R602.11.1 Wall anchorage. Braced wall line sill plates shall be anchored to concrete or masonry foundations in accordance with Sections R403.1.6 and R602.11. For all buildings in Seismic Design Categories D₀, D₁ and D₂ and townhouses in Seismic Design Category C, plate washers, a minimum of 0.229 inch by 3 inches by 3 inches (5.8 mm by 76 mm by 76 mm) in size, shall be installed between the foundation sill plate and the nut. The hole in the plate washer is permitted to be diagonally slotted with a width of up to 3/16 inch (5 mm) larger than the bolt diameter and a slot length not to exceed 1-3/4 inches (44 mm), provided a standard cut washer is placed between the plate washer and the nut.

R602.11.2 Interior braced wall panel connections. Interior braced wall panels shall be fastened to floor and roof framing in accordance with Table R602.3(1), to required foundations in accordance with Section R602.11.1, and in accordance with the following requirements:

     1. Floor joists parallel to the top plate shall be toe-nailed to the top plate with at least 8d nails spaced a maximum of 6 inches (152 mm) on center.

     2. Top plate laps shall be face-nailed with at least eight 16d nails on each side of the splice.

R602.11.3 Stepped foundations. Where stepped foundations occur, the following requirements apply:

     1. Where the height of a required braced wall panel that extends from foundation to floor above varies more than 4 feet (1220 mm), the braced wall panel shall be constructed in accordance with Figure R602.11.3.

     2. Where the lowest floor framing rests directly on a sill bolted to a foundation not less than 8 feet (2440 mm) in length along a line of bracing, the line shall be considered as braced. The double plate of the cripple stud wall beyond the segment of footing that extends to the lowest framed floor shall be spliced by extending the upper top plate a minimum of 4 feet (1219 mm) along the foundation. Anchor bolts shall be located a maximum of 1 foot and 3 feet (305 and 914 mm) from each end of the plate section at the step in the foundation.

     3. Where cripple walls occur between the top of the foundation and the lowest floor framing, the bracing requirements for a story shall apply.

     4. Where only the bottom of the foundation is stepped and the lowest floor framing rests directly on a sill bolted to the foundations, the requirements of Section R602.11.1 shall apply.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.020, and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. 07-01-090, § 51-51-0602, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07.]

R703.1 General. Exterior walls shall provide the building with a weather-resistant exterior wall envelope. The exterior wall envelope shall include flashing as described in Section R703.8. The exterior wall envelope shall be designed and constructed in a manner that prevents the accumulation of water within the wall assembly by providing a water-resistant barrier behind the exterior veneer as required by Section R703.2 and a means of draining water that enters the assembly to the exterior.

EXCEPTIONS:	1. A weather-resistant exterior wall envelope shall not be required over concrete or masonry walls designed in accordance with Chapter 6 and flashed according to Section R703.7 or R703.8.
	2. Compliance with the requirements for a means of drainage, and the requirements of Section R703.2 and R703.8, shall not be required for an exterior wall envelope that has been demonstrated to resist wind-driven rain through testing of the exterior wall envelope, including joints, penetrations and intersections with dissimilar materials, in accordance with ASTM E 331 under the following conditions:
	2.1. Exterior wall envelope test assemblies shall include at least one opening, one control joint, one wall/eave interface and one wall sill. All tested openings and penetrations shall be representative of the intended end-use configuration.
	2.2. Exterior wall envelope test assemblies shall be at least 4 feet (1219 mm) by 8 feet (2438 mm) in size.
	2.3. Exterior wall assemblies shall be tested at a minimum differential pressure of 6.24 pounds per square foot (299Pa).
	2.4. Exterior wall envelope assemblies shall be subjected to a minimum test exposure duration of 2 hours.
	The exterior wall envelope design shall be considered to resist wind-driven rain where the results of testing indicate that water did not penetrate: Control joints in the exterior wall envelope; joints at the perimeter of opening penetration; or intersections of terminations with dissimilar materials.
	3. The requirement for a means of drainage shall not be construed to mean an air space cavity under the exterior cladding for an exterior wall clad with panel siding made of plywood, engineered wood, hardboard, or fiber cement. A water-resistive barrier as required by Section R703.2 and Table R703.4 will be required on exterior walls.

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M1501 Outdoor discharge. The air removed by every mechanical exhaust system shall be discharged to the outdoors. Air shall not be exhausted into an attic, soffit, ridge vent or crawl space.

EXCEPTION:

Whole-house cooling attic fans that discharge into the attic space of dwelling units having private attics shall be permitted.

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G2439.5 Protection required. Plates or clips shall be placed where nails or screws from finish or other work are likely to penetrate the clothes dryer exhaust duct. Plates or clips shall be placed on the finished face of all framing members where there is less than 1 1/4 inches (32 mm) between the duct and the finished face of the framing material. The plate or clip shall be steel not less than 1/16 inch (1.59 mm) in thickness and of sufficient width to protect the duct.

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