Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Local Government Committee

HB 1606

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Background:

The State Building Code (Code) provides a set of minimum standards and requirements related to building construction that apply throughout the state. The State Building Code Council (SBCC) is responsible for the adoption and maintenance of the various building, residential, fire, and other model codes that comprise the Code.

In 2009 the Legislature required the SBCC to adopt rules requiring all residential buildings to be equipped with carbon monoxide alarms, including apartments, condominiums, hotels, motels and single-family residences. The rules were required to be adopted by July 1, 2010. The SBCC was permitted to phase in the requirement so long as it met certain deadlines. Specifically, all newly constructed residential buildings were required to be equipped by January 1, 2011. All other existing residential buildings, except for owner-occupied single family residences, were required to be equipped by January 1, 2013. Existing owner-occupied single family residences are required to be equipped at the time they are sold. The SBCC may exempt categories of buildings from the requirement if not determined to be necessary to protect the health and welfare of the occupants.

The SBCC adopted it's rules by the 2010 deadline. After concerns were raised over which exceptions should apply, the SBCC conducted four rounds of rulemaking regarding the requirement for existing residential buildings. The current rule became effective in 2012.