BILL REQ. #:  H-3741.1 

READ FIRST TIME 01/30/14.   

     AN ACT Relating to the two climate zones within the building codes; amending RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27A.020; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that the state building code council adopted by rule changes to the climate zones used in the building codes due to modifications in the 2012 international energy conservation code (IECC). The legislature intends to update the statutes to be more reflective of the national standards.

Sec. 2   RCW 19.27.031 and 2003 c 291 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, there shall be in effect in all counties and cities the state building code which shall consist of the following codes which are hereby adopted by reference:
     (1)(a) The International Building Code, published by the International Code Council(([,])), Inc.;
     (b) The International Residential Code, published by the International Code Council, Inc.;
     (2) The International Mechanical Code, published by the International Code Council(([,])), Inc., except that the standards for liquified petroleum gas installations shall be NFPA 58 (Storage and Handling of Liquified Petroleum Gases) and ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54 (National Fuel Gas Code);
     (3) The International Fire Code, published by the International Code Council(([,])), Inc., including those standards of the National Fire Protection Association specifically referenced in the International Fire Code: PROVIDED, That, notwithstanding any wording in this code, participants in religious ceremonies shall not be precluded from carrying hand-held candles;
     (4) Except as provided in RCW 19.27.170, the Uniform Plumbing Code and Uniform Plumbing Code Standards, published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials: PROVIDED, That any provisions of such code affecting sewers or fuel gas piping are not adopted; ((and))
     (5) The rules adopted by the council establishing standards for making buildings and facilities accessible to and usable by ((the physically disabled)) individuals with disabilities or elderly persons as provided in RCW 70.92.100 through 70.92.160; and
     (6) The state's climate zones for building purposes are designated in RCW 19.27A.020(3) and may not be changed through adoption of a model code or rule.
     In case of conflict among the codes enumerated in subsections (1), (2), (3), and (4) of this section, the first named code shall govern over those following.
     The codes enumerated in this section shall be adopted by the council as provided in RCW 19.27.074. The council shall solicit input from first responders to ensure that firefighter safety issues are addressed during the code adoption process.
     The council may issue opinions relating to the codes at the request of a local official charged with the duty to enforce the enumerated codes.

Sec. 3   RCW 19.27A.020 and 2010 c 271 s 304 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The state building code council shall adopt rules to be known as the Washington state energy code as part of the state building code.
     (2) The council shall follow the legislature's standards set forth in this section to adopt rules to be known as the Washington state energy code. The Washington state energy code shall be designed to:
     (a) Construct increasingly energy efficient homes and buildings that help achieve the broader goal of building zero fossil-fuel greenhouse gas emission homes and buildings by the year 2031;
     (b) Require new buildings to meet a certain level of energy efficiency, but allow flexibility in building design, construction, and heating equipment efficiencies within that framework; and
     (c) Allow space heating equipment efficiency to offset or substitute for building envelope thermal performance.
     (3) The Washington state energy code shall take into account regional climatic conditions. ((Climate zone 1 shall include all counties not included in climate zone 2. Climate zone 2)) One climate zone includes: Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Skamania, Spokane, Stevens, ((and)) Walla Walla, Whitman, and Yakima counties. The other climate zone includes all other counties not listed in this subsection (3). The assignment of a county to a climate zone may not be changed by adoption of a model code or rule.
     (4) The Washington state energy code for residential buildings shall be the 2006 edition of the Washington state energy code, or as amended by rule by the council.
     (5) The minimum state energy code for new nonresidential buildings shall be the Washington state energy code, 2006 edition, or as amended by the council by rule.
     (6)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, the Washington state energy code for residential structures shall preempt the residential energy code of each city, town, and county in the state of Washington.
     (b) The state energy code for residential structures does not preempt a city, town, or county's energy code for residential structures which exceeds the requirements of the state energy code and which was adopted by the city, town, or county prior to March 1, 1990. Such cities, towns, or counties may not subsequently amend their energy code for residential structures to exceed the requirements adopted prior to March 1, 1990.
     (7) The state building code council shall consult with the department of ((general administration)) enterprise services as provided in RCW 34.05.310 prior to publication of proposed rules. The director of the department of ((general administration)) enterprise services shall recommend to the state building code council any changes necessary to conform the proposed rules to the requirements of this section.
     (8) The state building code council shall evaluate and consider adoption of the international energy conservation code in Washington state in place of the existing state energy code.
     (9) The definitions in RCW 19.27A.140 apply throughout this section.