Adoption of the 2021 International Building

Codes, with Washington State Amendments

Pat Lawler, Sr. Manager, Airport Building Department

Item No. _____10b_supp_____

Meeting Date: February 27, 2024

Overview

• Washington State Building Codes are the International family of codes

and standards with state amendments to be adopted by Commission

with an implementation date of March 15, 2024.

• Best practices, modern technology, and lessons learned are

incorporated into each new cycle of building codes.

• Next steps

• Incorporate Commission feedback. Seek Commission adoption at the 3/12/24

meeting.

2021 Washington State Building Codes

State Codes helps to ensure buildings in the State are safe for occupants.

• The Washington State Building Code (WSBC) includes the following

codes with state amendments added for local conditions:

• International Building Code (IBC)

• International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) (WSEC)

• International Mechanical Code (IMC)

• International Fuel Gas Codes (IFGC)

• International Fire Code (IFC)

• 2020 National Electrical Code (NFPA 70).

• Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC).

• ICC-A117.1-2017 Accessibility Standard

State Building Code Development

Code Council advises State Legislature on code issues.

• Washington State Building Code is usually updated on a three-year

cycle, but the pandemic and state lawsuits delayed the 2021 code

adoption.

• State Building Code Council (SBCC) Rule-making provides a process for

amendments to national and state codes

• The state code is developed through open meetings and public

hearings, including Technical Advisory Group (TAG) meetings for review

of each code.

State Building Code Council

• The State Building Code Council is an agency created by the legislature

to provide independent analysis and objective advice to the legislature

and the Governor's Office on state building code issues.

• The Council establishes the minimum building, mechanical, fire,

plumbing and energy code requirements necessary to promote the

health, safety and welfare of the people of the State of Washington, by

reviewing, developing and adopting the state building code.

Inter-Local Agreement

• The 2021 code adoption is required by the state and the Inter-Local

Agreement with the City of SeaTac.

• The City of SeaTac and the Airport Building Department are required by

state law to regulate the minimum requirements of the state adopted

codes.

• The Airport Building Department and the Port of Seattle Fire Dept. have

separate, but many times overlapping regulatory responsibility for

enforcing the codes. The ABD and POSFD work together with the City of

SeaTac regarding our roles in the ILA.

2021 Building Code

Code change examples:

• Turning radius and clearance dimensions increased for accessibility

(ADA). This is to accommodate electrically powered wheelchairs.

• The IBC includes Mass Timber as a code approved type of construction.

• The definition of atrium changed to three stories instead of two, except

hospitals and prisons.