Every three years, the Washington State Building Code Council (SBCC) adopts new model codes with state amendments, as proposed by stakeholders and approved by the Council. The 2021 codes with state amendments were adopted in two groups, with Group 1 finalized in April 2022, and Group 2 finalized in November 2022. The 2021 International Fire Code was in Group 1. The effective date for all 2021 codes is March 15, 2024.
There is a section in the 2021 International Fire Code (Section 308.1.4) restricting the use of grills, BBQs and other open burning devices on balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction in apartments, condos or other multi-resident buildings. The addition of Section 308.1.4 was not proposed by the Technical Advisory Group working on the 2021 International Fire Code, and the adoption of this section was unintended by the Council.
On March 15, the Council filed an emergency rule for the 2021 International Fire Code Section 308.1.4 to make it clear that the restrictions on Open Flame Cooking Devices are not included in the state’s building codes. The emergency rule is now in effect. This is the link to the emergency rule filing: https://sbcc.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-03/WSR_24_07_059_bbq_combined.pdf