Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Local Government Committee |
HB 2517
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. |
Brief Description: Regarding the state building code council regulation of equipment or systems used for commercial and industrial cold storage.
Sponsors: Representatives Buys, Nealey, Crouse and Hasegawa.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/8/12
Staff: Kelly Pfundheller (786-7289).
Background:
The State Building Code Council.
The State Building Code Council (Council) was established in 1974 to provide analysis and advice to the Legislature and the Office of the Governor on state building code issues. The Council establishes the minimum building, mechanical, fire, plumbing, and energy code requirements in Washington by reviewing, developing, and adopting the state building code. The State Building Code Act (Act) sets forth requirements through the provision of building codes to promote the health, safety, and welfare of the occupants or users of buildings and structures throughout the state.The Act consists of regulations adopted by reference from the International Building Code, the International Residential Code, the International Mechanical Code, the National Fuel Gas Code, the International Fire Code, and the Uniform Plumbing Code and Uniform Plumbing Code Standards. It also includes the Washington State Energy Code (WSEC), which is a state-written, state-specific code. The WSEC provides a minimum level of energy efficiency, but allows flexibility in building design, construction, and heating equipment efficiencies. The Council reviews, updates, and adopts new model state building codes every three years.
Commercial or Industrial Cold Storage.
The WSEC defines "cold storage" as spaces that are mechanically cooled and designed to be maintained at a temperature below 45 degrees Fahrenheit and at or above 28 degrees Fahrenheit. A refrigerated warehouse is a building that contains cold storage spaces or frozen storage spaces that have a total area exceeding 3,000 square feet. The WSEC requires cold storage spaces to conform with certain regulations pertaining to commissioning and completion of construction, electric motor efficiency, and insulation.
In 2011 the Council adopted additional regulations pertaining to underslab heating, fan-powered evaporators, and fan-powered condensers used for cold storage purposes. On January 17, 2012, the Council repealed those regulations by emergency rule.
Summary of Bill:
Equipment or processes used for commercial or industrial cold storage are exempt from the State Building Code Act and WSEC.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 7, 2012.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.