This is the working version of the 2021 IRC Technical Advisory Groups Existing Amendments Report consolidated with all input received.
- Last Updated - January 24, 2022 12:04 PM
| TAG Member | WAC | Title or Subject | 2018 XXX Number | Title or Subject2 | 2021 XXX Number | TAG Member Recommendation | Comments |
| Jen; | 51-51-0102 | Applicability | - | - | - | R102.5: Needs modification to correct an error - calls Appendix Q dwelling unit sprinkler systems but Appendix Q is Tiny Houses, and Tiny Houses are not otherwise listed as an adopted appendix. Appendix U is for sprinklers. R102.7.1: base language has changed from "...become unsafe..." to "...less compliant..." will need modification. | R102.7.2: no modifications necessary, this whole section is an addition and does not exist in the base code. |
| Jen; | 51-51-0106 | Construction Documents | - | - | - | R106: Can be eliminated, base code was revised to match our language. | - |
| Jen; | 51-51-0202 | Definitions | - | - | - | "Balanced Ventilation" and "Balanced Ventilation System" definitions similar to our "Balanced Whole House Ventilation" were added, we should consider scrapping ours for theirs or modifying. BATTERY SYSTEM, STATIONARY STORAGE has been eliminated from the base code, so we can eliminate this one. "Building, Existing" appears in the list out of order, should be AFTER "Building". ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS (ESS) was added and is similar, consider scrapping ours for theirs or modifying. LOT: They modified theirs to match ours we can eliminate this one. MIXED VENTILATION ZONE: this def doesn't exist nor did it in 2018, so we don't need to say we're not adopting it. TOWNHOUSE: They adopted our language so we can eliminate this one. WHOLE HOUSE VENTILATION SYSTEM: this is confusing as a distinct definition separate from WHOLE HOUSE MECHANICAL VENTILATION SYSTEM - is it necessary? Needs attention. As does the entire chapter these terms appear in. | - |
| Quyen; | 51-51-0301 | Design Criteria | Minimum Uniformly Distributed Live Loads | R301.2 | R301.5 | Design Criteria | Minimum Uniformly Distributed Live Loads | R301.2 | R301.5 | Modify existing amendment | Modify existing amendment to reflect the changes to the table layout but continue to keep our revised deck load. |
| Jen; | 51-51-0301 | Design Criteria | Keep but modify, as table number has changed to R301.2. | ||||
| Quyen; | 51-51-0302 | Fire-Resistant Construction | R302.2.1 | R302.2.2 | Double Walls | Common Walls | R302.2.1 | R302.2.2 | Keep | Keep |
| Jen; | 51-51-0302 | Fire-Resistant Construction | Keep but modify to update IBC section reference to 703.2.2. | ||||
| Quyen; | 51-51-0303 | Light, ventilation and heating | R303 | Light, ventilation and heating | R303 | Maintain | No changes | No changes to the 2021 code. |
| Jen; | 51-51-0303 | Light, ventilation, and heating | Not sure, some new exceptions have been added. Not sure what the overall intent of the state amendment is to be able to determine. | ||||
| Quyen; | 51-51-0307 | Toilet, bath and shower spaces | R307 | Toilet, bath and shower spaces | R307 | Maintain | 2021 IRC did not make any changes and this WAC is specific to Washington since we adopted the UPC rather than the IPC. |
| Jen; | 51-51-0307 | Toilet, bath, and shower spaces | Keep but double-check the code section refers to the state plumbing code once the 2021 draft is available | ||||
| Quyen; | 51-51-0308 | Reserved | R308 | Glazing | R308 | Remove WAC? | This section number is already utilized and adopted by the state IRC as the Glazing schedule. Unsure why we have a WAC to reserve this section to begin with. Perhaps remove this WAC. |
| Jen; | 51-51-0308 | Reserved | Do we need these "Reserved" random code sections called out in the amendments? Not sure what their purpose might be. Suggest we just strike them unless they provide some value. | ||||
| Quyen; | 51-51-03100 | Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings | R310 | Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings | R310 | Maintain but modify to expand based on additional new language | 2021 IRC has some additional clarifying language that would need to be included in our WAC Amendment. |
| Quyen; | 51-51-03100 | Emergency escape and rescue opening | R310 | Emergency escape and rescue opening | R310 | Maintain but modify | Amendment included the language "unobstructed path" but the 2021 also included item #3 that should be evaluated and added to our amendment. |
| Jen; | 51-51-03100 | Emergency Escape and rescue openings | Base code has been updated to include the minimum path width of 36", but not "unobstructed" so we may want to keep the first part of this amendment. However they have added a new exception 3 which includes "unobstructed" so we could potentially scrap this amendment. THey have also modified the base code to include adding "unit" to dwelling and townhouse in an exception, to match ours. | ||||
| Quyen; | 51-51-0311 | Means of egress | R311 | Means of egress | R311 | Maintain exception to R311.4 but remove R311.7.3 | 2021 IRC adopted the same language that we currently have in R311.7.3 so this portion of the amendment is no longer necessary. But the exception is still missing in the model so we should maintain/keep the exception. |
| Jen; | 51-51-0311 | Means of egress | R311.7.3 Vertical rise can be removed because they have modified the base code to match ours (12 ft 7 in instead of less helpful 151 in) | ||||
| Quyen; | 51-51-0313 | Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems | R313 | Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems | R313 | Maintain | No changes to the 2021 IRC. |
| Jen; | 51-51-0313 | Automatic fire sprinkler systems | Keep, no changes | ||||
| Quyen; | 51-51-0314 | Smoke alarms and heat detection | R314 | Smoke alarms and heat detection | R314 | Maintain | 2021 model code still does not include heat detection device. |
| Jen; | 51-51-0314 | Smoke alarms and heat detection | R314.1: suggest matching base code at the end of first section. We say "and this section" which could be interpreted to mean R314.1 only, however the base code says "and Section R314." which is the real intent. So a suggested fix not based on a change. R314.3: They've added a new exception #5 we need to consider to add/modify/exclude. | ||||
| Jen; | 51-51-0315 | Carbon monoxide alarms | R315.2 Where required: We can strike this, it matches base code exactly, and did in 2018 as well. R315.2.2: They've added a new exception we need to consider. | ||||
| Jen; | 51-51-0317 | Reserved | Reserved | ||||
| Jen; | 51-51-0322 | Reserved | Reserved | ||||
| Jen; | 51-51-03240 | Solar energy systems | Base code has addeed a requirement for the electrical portion of systems, so we will need to modify our amendment, likely adding same language. | ||||
| Jen; | 51-51-0326 | Habitable attic | This whole section has changed, will need attention. There is an error in the base code, it says habitable attics shall comply through 326.3 however there is an additional section 326.4. | ||||
| Jen; | 51-51-0327 | Sleeping lofts | Keep, no changes | ||||
| Jen; | 51-51-0328 | Swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs | Keep, No Changes | ||||
| Jen; | 51-51-0329 | Energy storage systems | This section has been heavily modified in the base code, will need review and changes to our amendments. They have also added two new sections for Stationary Engine Generators and Stationary Fuel Cell Power Systems. These new sections will push subsequent section numbers. | ||||
| Jen; | 51-51-0330 | Adult family homes | Revise section number to 332 | ||||
| Quyen; | 51-51-0331 | Family home child care | R331 | Family home child care | N/A | Maintain | 2021 model code does not contain this specific language. Very specific to Washington State. |
| Jen; | 51-51-0331 | Family home child care | Revise section number to 333 | ||||
| Quyen; | 51-51-0332 | Protection against radon | R332 | Protection against radon | N/A | Maintain | 2021 model code still does not have this adopted language. Specific to Washington State. |
| Jen; | 51-51-0332 | carbon monoxide alarms | Revise section number to 334 | ||||
| Quyen; | 51-51-0806 | Roof Ventilation | R806 | Roof Ventilation | R806 | Remove | Not sure why this is reserved when we have adopted section R806. |
| Quyen; | 51-51-0903 | Weather protection | R903.4.1 | Weather protection | R903.4.1 | Keep | Maintain | Keep | Maintain |
| Quyen; | 51-51-1001 | Masonry fireplaces | Dampers | R1001.7.1 | Dampers | R1001.7.1 | Maintain | Maintain |
| Quyen; | 51-51-1002 | Masonry heaters | R1002.1 | Masonry heaters | R1002.1 | Maintain | Maintain |
| Quyen; | 51-51-1004 | Factory-built fireplaces | R1004.1.1 | R1004.1.2 | Emission standards for factory-built fireplaces | Emission standards for certified masonry and concrete fireplaces | N/A | Maintain, this is specific to WA ST. | Maintain, this is specific to WA ST. |
| Quyen; | 51-51-1006 | Exterior air supply | Passage Way (Not Adopted) | Solid fuel-burning appliances and fireplaces | R1006.4 | R1006.6 | Passage Way (Not Adopted) | Solid fuel-burning appliances and fireplaces | N/A | Maintain, this is specific to WA ST. | Maintain, this is specific to WA ST. |
| Darrin; | 51-51-2904 | Residential Fire Sprinklers Washington State Building Code Appendix U. No amendments recommended. | Section P2904 Washington State Building Code | ReResidential Fire Sprinklers Washington State Building Code Appendix U | Section P2904 Washington State Building Code. No amendments recommended. | This TAG member sees no reason to make any additional changes to Washington State Building Code Appendix U for 2021 cycle for the reasons listed in the comment section below. | In this TAG members opinion the significant changes to Section P2904 are as follows: Section P2904 for dwelling unit fire sprinklers systems has been revised to reflect current installation practices and to correlate with some common acceptable methods in NFPA 13 D. Section P2904 states that installations must comply with NFPA 13D or Section P2904, and the Section P2904 is considered equivalent to NFPA 13 D. The following is a summary of significant changes to IRC Section P2904: 1. Section P2904.2.1: Permits intermediate temperature sprinklers to be used in lieu of ordinary temperature sprinklers. 2.Section P2904.2.3 Allows listed dry pipe residential sprinkler for freeze protection. 3.Section P2904.3.2 Permits a control valve on a stand alone sprinkler system. 4. Section P2904.4.4.1 Correlates with NFPA 13D and current installation practices for protecting spaces with sloped ceilings. 5. Table P2904.6.2(2) Revises the water table meter table in the IRC to better correlate with the water meter table in NFPA 13D. For all of the reasons above this Tag members recommendation and opinion will remain as noted. |