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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
2007 07-08 2006 IRC Section R403.1.6.1, Foundation anchorage International Residential Code
2007 07-07 2006 IRC Appendix F/VIAQ, Hierarchy of codes re: radon International Residential Code
2007 07-06 2006 IRC Appendix F, Radon mitigation International Residential Code
2007 07-05 IBC/IFC 903.2.2, Portable classrooms International Fire Code
2007 07-05 IBC/IFC 903.2.2, Portable classrooms International Building Code
2007 07-04 2006 IRC Section M1501.1, Exhaust fans International Residential Code
2007 07-04 International Mechanical Code
2007 07-03 1423, Economizers WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2007 07-02 2006 IRC Appendix F, Radon mitigation International Residential Code
2007 07-01 2006 IRC Section R703.1, Water resistive barrier International Residential Code
2006 06-04 1120 and 1310  Outdoor heaters WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2006 06-03 2003 IBC Section 3408.1 / IRC Section R102.7.2 moved bldgs International Residential Code
2006 06-03 IBC 3408.1 / IRC R102.7.2 moved bldgs (2003) International Building Code
2006 06-02 IFC 903.2.2 / IBC 3403, 3406 and 903.2.2 International Fire Code
2006 06-02 IFC 903.2.2/IBC 3403, 3406 and 903.2.2 (2003) International Building Code
2006 06-01 2003 VIAQ 502.1.2 / 2003 IRC 408.2 Crawlspace ventilation International Residential Code
2005 05-01 IBC 3403.1 / IFC 903.2.1.2 Sprinklers in existing bldgs International Fire Code
2005 05-01 IBC 3403.1 / IFC 903.2.1.2 sprinklers in existing bldgs (2003) International Building Code
2004 04-05 Group A Occupancies, Section 1103.1.2.1 (Religious facilities) International Building Code
2004 04-04 Applicability of previous interpretations Uniform Plumbing Code
2004 04-01 IBC 313.8.2.1, Fire sprinkler systems in LC Occupancies (2003) International Building Code
2003 03-02 603.3.3, Backflow Assembly Testing Uniform Plumbing Code
2003 03-01 1104.1, Areas of Evacuation Assistance International Building Code
2002 02-14 WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2002 02-12 1433, Economizers, Mechanical Room Exception (2001 Code) WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2002 02-11 1413.4, Humidification (2001 Code) WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2002 02-10 1413, Economizers (2001 Code) WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2002 02-09 1452, Pool Water Heaters (2001 Code) WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2002 02-08 1412.4.1, Motorized Dampers (2001 Code) WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2002 02-07 1411.1, Definition of Furnace (‘01 Code) WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2002 02-06 1301, Applicability to ATM enclosures (2000 Code) WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2002 02-05 1103.2.2, Accessible Route of Travel International Building Code
2002 02-04 1107.3, Signs International Building Code
2002 02-03 Interps Applicable to the 2001 WSEC WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2002 02-02 Interps Applicable to the 2000 WSEC WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2002 02-01 Sections 1111 and 1112, Additions and Alterations International Building Code
2001 01-10 1105.4.9  Alarms International Building Code
2001 01-09 1105.4.9, Exception 3  Alarms International Building Code
2001 01-08 UBC 310.6.1 ex. 3 and 313.6.1 ex. 3, Ceiling heights (1997) International Building Code
2001 01-06 1997 UMC 1104.3.2, Ventilated Spaces International Mechanical Code
2001 01-05 UBC 313, LC Occupancies (1997) International Building Code
2001 01-04 1411.4, Packaged Electric Heating & Cooling Equipment WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2001 01-03 1109, Accessibility of Existing Buildings International Building Code
2001 01-02 1103.1.1, Exception 1, Accessibility of Equipment Shelters International Building Code
2001 01-01 1106.11, Fixtures for Use by Children International Building Code
2000 00-17 1111, 1112, Alteration of Existing Facilities International Building Code
2000 00-16 1107.2.5, "Firm and Stable" surface International Building Code
2000 00-15 Chapter 11, Labeling of Refrigerant Piping International Mechanical Code
2000 00-13 Table 14-5, Insulation of Return Air Ducts WA State Energy Code-Commercial
2000 00-12 1107.1.4, Parking for Group R International Building Code