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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
2015 15-10 IFC 3800 Marijuana processing/extraction facilities (emergency rule) International Fire Code
2015 15-09 IFC 5606.4/Black powder; 5604.2 Smokeless propellants; International Fire Code
2015 15-07 IFC Chapter 2/ Section 307.5--Sky lanterns International Fire Code
2015 15-06 IBC 504.3 Stair enclosure pressurization increase International Building Code
2015 15-05 IBC/308.3.3/IRC R325 - Adult Family Homes International Building Code
2015 15-04 IBC - WAC 51-50-007 Temporary Growing Structures International Building Code
2015 15-03 IBC 311.2/IFC 903.2.9 Fire sprinklers in S-1 mini storage International Building Code
2015 15-03 IBC 311.2/IFC 903.2.9 Fire sprinklers in S-1 mini storage International Fire Code
2015 15-02 IBC 503, 508.4.2 Area limitation in mixed use bldgs. International Building Code
2015 15-01 IBC 3109.4/IRC AG105.2 Pool barriers International Residential Code
2015 15-01 IBC 3109.4/IRC AG105.2 Pool barriers International Building Code
2014 14-23 C402.4.7 Vestibules WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2014 14-22 IBC 1208.3 Room area; 1208.4 Efficiency Dwelling Units International Building Code
2014 14-21 IBC 1013.6 Mechanical equipment; [B]304.11 Guards International Building Code
2014 14-20 IFC 605.11.3, Access and Pathways International Fire Code
2014 14-19 C403.3.1 Economizers WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2014 14-18 C402.4.5.2, C403.2.4.4 Dampers WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2014 14-17 C402.4.5.2 Dampers WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2014 14-16 C402.4.1.2.3 Air leakage WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2014 14-15 C405.2.3 Lighting controls WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2014 14-14 Refrigerated space definition WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2014 14-13 C402.3.1.3 Window limit WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2014 14-12 C409 Metering WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2014 14-11 C407.5.1 On site renewable energy WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2014 14-10 R102.7.2 Moved Buildings International Residential Code
2014 14-09 IFC 1103.7, 1103.7.1, Table 1103.1 Emergency Voice Alarm International Fire Code
2014 14-08 Tables A105.1 Default U-factors for floors WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2014 14-07 Semi-heated building definition WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2014 14-06 C101.5.2 Low energy buildings WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2014 14-05 C402.4.7 Vestibules WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2014 14-04 C402.5, C402.6 Coolers/freezers WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2014 14-03 C403.2.10.3 Fan motors WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2014 14-02 C101.4.3.2, C403.2.10 Fan motor efficiency WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2014 14-01 C101.4.3, C402.4.1.2.3 Air leakage WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2013 13-16 C402.4.7 Vestibules WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2013 13-15 R403.4.2 Pipe insulation WA State Energy Code-Residential
2013 13-14 IFC/IBC 903.2.3 Portable school classrooms International Building Code
2013 13-14 IBC/IBC 903.2.3 Portable school classrooms International Fire Code
2013 13-13 IBC 2902.1 Plumbing fixture count International Building Code
2013 13-12 IBC 1204.1 Temperature control International Building Code
2013 13-11 C409.3  End use metering WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2013 13-10 IBC 3002.4 Elevator requirements International Building Code
2013 13-09 C403.2.2  HVAC sizing WA State Energy Code-Commercial 2012
2013 13-08 IFC/IBC 908.7 Carbon monoxide alarms International Fire Code 2012
2013 13-08 IFC/IBC 908.7 Carbon Monoxide Alarms International Building Code 2012
2013 13-07 IBC 308.2/310.1 Classification of assisted living facilities International Fire Code 2009
2013 13-07 IBC 308.2/310.1 Classification of assisted living facilities International Building Code 2009
2013 13-06 R101.2 Mixed occupancy scoping International Residential Code 2009
2013 13-06 IBC/IRC 101.2 Mixed occupancy building scoping International Building Code 2009
2013 13-05 R101.2 Sprinkler requirements International Residential Code 2012