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Answers & Opinions

The Council's Policies and Procedures, in WAC 51-04-060, allows the Council to issue opinions (interpretations) relating to the codes at the request of a local or state official, or their designee, responsible for implementation and enforcement of the specific code provision on which the opinion (interpretation) is requested. For the Council to provide a formal opinion (interpretation), a letter requesting the opinion (interpretation) needs to be submitted by a code official. The final opinions (interpretations) of the Council are advisory only. Opinions (interpretations) that have been finalized are provided through the links to the left.

Some of the opinions (interpretations) refer to illustrations, diagrams, and attached documentation. These supporting documents are not posted on the Web. If you would like a copy of a supporting document please request it from Council Staff.

Answers and Code Interpretations

Year Interpretation Number Code Section Number Code Edition
2021 21-12 Chapter 2 Definitions / SBCC opinion #08-09 International Building Code 2018
2021 21-11 R408.2, Openings for under-floor ventilation, R332.1, Protection against radon, Appendix F, Radon control methods International Residential Code 2018
2021 21-10 R406, Additional Energy Efficiency Requirements WA State Energy Code-Residential 2018
2021 21-09 R402.4.2, Fireplaces (Air leakage) WA State Energy Code-Residential 2018
2021 21-08 R302.2.6 Townhouses International Residential Code 2018
2021 21-07 104.1, 302.1 Occupancy classification International Building Code 2018
2021 21-06 IRC M1505.4 Dwelling Unit Ventilation International Residential Code 2018
2021 21-05 C403.1.1, Total System Performance Ratio WA State Energy Code-Commercial 2018
2021 21-04 507.5 Deck Tables International Residential Code 2018
2021 21-03 C408.3 Unvented Crawl Space WA State Energy Code-Residential 2018
2021 21-02 C407, Total Building Performance WA State Energy Code-Commercial 2018
2021 21-01 R405 Simulated Performance Alternative WA State Energy Code-Residential 2018
2020 20-16 Appendix V and R313.1 International Residential Code 2018
2020 20-15 Table 403.3.1.1 Minimum Ventilation Rates International Mechanical Code 2018
2020 20-14 C406.2 / R406.3 H/ERV efficiency WA State Energy Code-Residential 2018
2020 20-13 R402.4.1.2, Table R406.3, air infiltration WA State Energy Code-Residential 2018
2020 20-12 Table R406.3, Appliance credit 7.1 WA State Energy Code-Residential 2018
2020 20-11 Table R406.2, Fuel normalization credits WA State Energy Code-Residential 2018
2020 20-10 Table C403.3.5, DOAS requirements by occupancy WA State Energy Code-Commercial 2018
2020 20-09 C403.1.3, Data Centers WA State Energy Code-Commercial 2018
2020 20-08 601.2, Air movement in corridors International Mechanical Code 2015
2020 20-08 1020.5 Air movement in Corridors International Building Code 2015
2020 20-07 2018 IRC 506.2.3; AF103.3 International Residential Code 2018
2020 20-06 403.4 Whole House Ventilation International Mechanical Code 2018
2020 20-05 C406 Additional Efficiency Credits WA State Energy Code-Commercial 2018
2020 20-04 C403.1.1 Total System Performance Ratio WA State Energy Code-Commercial 2018
2020 20-03 C405.2.5 Emergency Lighting WA State Energy Code-Commercial 2015
2020 20-03 1008 Emergency Lighting International Building Code 2015
2020 20-02 IRC 1307.3 International Residential Code 2015
2020 20-02 UPC 507.13 Uniform Plumbing Code 2015
2020 20-02 WSEC C404.5 and R403.5.5 WA State Energy Code-Residential 2015
2020 20-01 Chapter 4 International Mechanical Code 2015
2020 20-01 1109 Outdoor Air Inlet Accessibility International Building Code 2015
2020 19-06 907.2.9, manual fire alarm systems International Fire Code 2015
2020 19-05 427, Electric vehicle charging infrastructure International Building Code 2015
2019 19-07 1705 Mass Timber Special Inspections International Building Code 2015
2019 19-04 Table R406.2, Additional efficiency credits WA State Energy Code-Residential 2015
2019 19-03 703 Mass Timber Fire Resistance Rating International Building Code 2015
2019 19-02 1104, Access to Mezzanines International Building Code 2015
2019 19-01 C402.5.6, Loading dock weatherseals WA State Energy Code-Commercial 2018
2018 18-14 WAC 51-50-007 International Fire Code 2015
2018 18-13 WSEC C407. 5.1 Tables 2&3 WA State Energy Code-Commercial 2015
2018 18-12 WSEC 404.9 WA State Energy Code-Commercial 2015
2018 18-11 WSEC C405.7 WA State Energy Code-Commercial 2015
2018 18-10 404.4/502.14 Automobile Repair Facilities International Mechanical Code 2015
2018 18-09 Table R406.2, Energy Credits - EF vs. UEF WA State Energy Code-Commercial 2015
2018 18-08 C403.2.7.1/C403.2.6 / IMC 507 Kitchen hoods International Mechanical Code, WA State Energy Code-Commercial 2015
2018 18-08 C403.2.7.1/C403.2.6 / IMC 507 Kitchen hoods International Mechanical Code, WA State Energy Code-Commercial 2015
2018 18-08 IMC 507 / WSEC C403.2.6, C403.2.7.1 International Mechanical Code 2015
2018 18-07 ANSI A117.1, 405, Ramps International Building Code 2015