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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
2018 18-07 Ch. 11/ANSI A117.1 405, Ramps International Building Code 2015 IBC (2009 A117.1)
2018 18-06 C403.6, DOAS / IMC 403 WA State Energy Code-Commercial 2015
2018 18-06 WSEC C403.6, IMC 403, DOAS systems International Mechanical Code 2015
2018 18-05 C403.6, DOAS WA State Energy Code-Commercial 2015
2018 18-04 R403.7.1, Electric resistance heat WA State Energy Code-Residential 2015
2018 18-03 2902.1 Min. Required Plumbing Fixtures at Storage Occupancy International Building Code 2015
2018 18-02 1010, Door Locks & Hardware International Building Code 2015
2018 18-01 503.1 Fire walls International Building Code 2015
2017 17-25 C403.2.6.3/C403.6 Ventilation controls & DOAS WA State Energy Code-Commercial 2015
2017 17-24 R310 Emergency escape & rescue openings International Residential Code 2015
2017 17-23 504 Stairway pressurization in Type VA bldgs. International Building Code 2015
2017 17-22 IEBC 705.1.9, Toilet rooms International Building Code 2015
2017 17-21 R202, Def. of Residential in relation to accessory bldgs. WA State Energy Code-Residential 2015
2017 17-20 1020/3006 Hoistway venting in residential rated corridors International Building Code
2017 17-19 R202 Habitable attic International Residential Code
2017 17-18 3006.2 Hoistway opening protection International Building Code
2017 17-17 510.2 Height increase for I-1, Cond. 2 occupancies International Building Code
2017 17-16 304/2902 Toilet facilities in car wash International Building Code
2017 17-15 M1507 Ventilation openings International Residential Code
2017 17-14 312 Occupancy classification / Greenhouse International Building Code
2017 17-13 IEBC/IFC 1104.1 Means of egress in existing bldgs. International Building Code
2017 17-13 IEBC/IFC 1104.1, Means of egress in existing bldgs. International Fire Code
2017 17-12 R311 Means of Egress International Residential Code
2017 17-11 IFC 105.7.3, 105.6.9 International Fire Code
2017 17-10 504.3 Building Height & Number of Stories/CLT International Building Code
2017 17-09 C403.6, DOAS WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2017 17-08 C404.7.1, Circulation systems WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2017 17-07 C404, C503.5, Service water heating WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2017 17-06 C406.7, Service water heating WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2017 17-05 C406.7, Service water heating WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2017 17-04 C406.4, Lighting controls WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2017 17-03 C406.1.1, Tenant spaces WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2017 17-02 C406, Additional efficiency package options WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2017 17-01 105 Permits International Building Code
2016 16-14 Table R406.2 WA State Energy Code-Residential
2016 16-13 Table R406.2 WA State Energy Code-Residential
2016 16-12 IBC  1107.3 Accessible Spaces; 1110.2 Facilities serving Group R-2 International Building Code
2016 16-11 Table R301.5 Minimum Uniformly Distributed Live Loads International Residential Code
2016 16-10 IBC 427.1/Scope; 427.4/Electric Vehicle charging Infrastructure International Building Code
2016 16-09 IBC 427.1/Scope; 427.2 Electrical vehicle charging infrastructure International Building Code
2016 16-08 R402.2.7, Floor insulation WA State Energy Code-Residential
2016 16-07 R302.3  Wall continuity International Residential Code
2016 16-06 IFC 916/Alerting Systems International Fire Code
2016 16-05  IEBC IEBC Chapter 13/Moved Buildings International Building Code 2015
2016 16-04 M1505  Exhaust hoods International Residential Code 2015
2016 16-03 Table 2902.1/Minimum number of fixtures International Building Code 2015
2016 16-02 R309.2  Carports International Residential Code 2012
2016 16-01 2909.2.1 International Building Code 2012
2015 15-12 IBC 310.4/420.6/1018.6/Smoke barriers in assisted living International Building Code
2015 15-11 IBC 2902.3.1 Access to toilet rooms International Building Code