WSR 24-16-144

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

BUILDING CODE COUNCIL

[Filed August 7, 2024, 9:44 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Amendment of WAC 51-51-1500 Adoption and amendment of the 2021 International Mechanical Code, to adopt an updated Underwriter Laboratories (UL) standard for household and other electrical appliances.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 19.27.035 and 19.27.074.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The UL standard was updated in response to the new requirements for lower global warming potential refrigerants, known as A2L refrigerants. These A2L refrigerants are typically more flammable than the previous A1 refrigerants. The new standard provides higher safety standards for these refrigerants and includes new requirements for leak detection.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The department of ecology is currently in the process of writing rules on the requirements for A2L refrigerants. The adoption of this standard is one the factors in determining the effective date for a portion of their rule.

Process for Developing New Rule: Technical advisory group review.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Dustin Curb, P.O. Box 41449, Olympia WA 98504-1449, phone 360-407-9277, email sbcc@des.wa.gov, website sbcc.wa.gov.

July 16, 2024

Daimon Doyle

Council Chair