Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Local Government Committee
HB 2228
Brief Description: Concerning scissor stair regulations in the state building code.
Sponsors: Representatives Zahn, Duerr, Ramel, Peterson, Parshley, Lekanoff, Reed, Thomas, Gregerson, Ormsby, Hill and Bernbaum.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires the State Building Code Council (Council) to convene a technical advisory group to recommend changes to the State Building Code (Code) to allow scissor stairs to be used in certain occupancies.
  • Requires the technical advisory group to submit its recommendations to the Council in time for the Council to include any necessary updates in the first Code revision cycle that occurs after January 1, 2027.
Hearing Date: 1/16/26
Staff: Kellen Wright (786-7134).
Background:

The State Building Code Council (Council) is a state agency responsible for the adoption of the State Building Code (Code).  The Code establishes the minimum requirements and standards for buildings and facilities constructed in the state.  The Code consists of a series of model codes, such as the International Building Code and the International Residential Code, that are adopted by reference, and any amendments that the Council makes to the codes.  The model codes are updated every three years.  The Council must adopt amendments to the Code on a three-year cycle that follows the model code adoption cycle.  Substantive amendments to the Code may generally only be made once during the update cycle.

 

Any person may petition the Council in writing to amend the Code during time periods established by the Council.  The Council can convene technical advisory groups (TAGs) to review petitions for amendments.  Technical advisory groups may include one councilmember, but otherwise must consist of subject matter experts designated by the Council.  A person can qualify as a subject matter expert through education, training, or experience that leads to the person being recognized as an expert on a subject, topic, or system.  A person who wishes to be appointed to a TAG may subject an application to the Council during an application period.  The Council must approve or deny an application within 30 days of the close of the application period.

 

In order for a petition referred to a TAG to be taken up for consideration by the Council, it must receive the approval of a majority of the TAG.

 

A fire resistance rating is generally the amount of time that a building component can withstand a fire before losing structural integrity during a standardized fire resistance test. 
Summary of Bill:

Scissor stairs are interlocking stairways with separate exits that are enclosed and separated by fire-resistance rated walls.

 

The Council must convene a TAG for the purpose of recommending amendments to the Code that would allow scissor stairs in occupancies of more than two dwelling units in which the occupants are primarily permanent.  The TAG must consider public health, safety, welfare, and construction cost when making recommendations.  The recommendations must be made to the Council in time for the Council to implement any necessary adoption or amendment of codes in the first code update cycle that occurs after January 1, 2027.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 8, 2026.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.