PDFWAC 51-50-1403

Section 1403—Performance requirements.

1402.2 Weather protection. Exterior walls shall provide the building with a weather-resistant exterior wall envelope. The exterior wall envelope shall include flashing as described in Section 1404.4. The exterior wall envelope shall be designed and constructed in such a manner as to prevent the accumulation of water within the wall assembly by providing a water-resistant barrier behind the exterior veneer, as described in Section 1403.2, and a means for draining water that enters the assembly to the exterior. An air space cavity is not required under the exterior cladding for an exterior wall clad with lapped or panel siding made of plywood, engineered wood, hardboard, or fiber cement. Protection against condensation in the exterior wall assembly shall be provided in accordance with Section 1404.3.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. A weather-resistant exterior wall envelope shall not be required over concrete or masonry walls designed in accordance with Chapters 19 and 21, respectively.
 
2. Compliance with the requirements for a means of drainage, and the requirements of Sections 1404.2 and 1405.4, shall not be required for an exterior wall envelope that has been demonstrated through testing to resist wind-driven rain, 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 by 8 feet (1219 mm by 2438 mm) in size.
 
2.3 Exterior wall envelope assemblies shall be tested at a minimum differential pressure of 6.24 pounds per square foot (psf) (0.297 kN/m2).
 
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 openings or intersections of terminations with dissimilar materials.
 
3. Exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS) complying with Section 1408.4.1.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 21-06-035, § 51-50-1403, filed 2/23/21, effective 3/26/21; WSR 16-03-064, § 51-50-1403, filed 1/19/16, effective 7/1/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 13-04-067, § 51-50-1403, filed 2/1/13, effective 7/1/13. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 10-03-097, § 51-50-1403, filed 1/20/10, effective 7/1/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.190, 19.27.020, and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 08-01-110, § 51-50-1403, filed 12/18/07, effective 4/1/08.]