2009 Code Updates

The Washington building code for residential housing has been updated and the 2009 IRC went into effect on July 1st. Likewise, Washington's Energy Code has undergone extensive revisions and Washington's Energy Code goes into effect 01/01/2011.

NEW!

Spokane Region Building Officials agree on alternative material to comply with indoor lighting required by WSEC Section 505.1.  Click here

2009 International Residential Code

Many of the changes to the IRC are clarification or to simplify code language. For additional reference, the full 30+ page matrix detailing every revision, deletion and addition from the 2006 IRC to the 2009 IRC. Click here

2009 Washington State Amendments to the IRC, click here to view and/or print the amendments.

(corrected copy June 23, 2010 with changes to pages 62, 70, 108, 167, 345)

For a WSU Presentation on the new 2009 WSEC Overview.

Code Books

If you are interested in purchasing a 2009 IRC softcover code book at a reduced price, please call Amanda at 800-228-4229.

Local Residential Amendments

To see a list of Local Residential Amendments submitted for review by jurisdiction and action taken by the State Building Code Council. Click here

New Carbon Monoxide Alarms

The State Building Code Council's emergency rule on November 19th, revises current requirements for CO alarms. The emergency rule provides for CO alarms in new residential construction by January 1, 2011 and in existing dwellings by January 1, 2013. These changes modify IBC, IFC and IRC requirements. Click here for details and additional information on implementation dates.

Washington Energy Code Takes effect January 1, 2011

The 2009 Washington Energy Code has been extensively revised and reformatted from the 2006 version. The new code can be viewed here:

Look for the bold line/bar in the left and right margins, which indicates there has been a revision or addition to the paragraph. Some are minor, while others are significant.

Chapters 1 through 10 (Single-Family Residential)

Chapters 11 through 15 (Multi-Family and Non Res)

Emergency Rule on Duct Testing for Furnace Replacements

The State Building Code Council has made an emergency rule regarding residential duct testing in existing home for furnace replacements. The emergency rule is in effect for 120 days (until the end of March) as the Council hears further public testimony on the issue. As amended, duct testing is required but not sealing or compliance with the leakage standard. Click here to see revised 101.3.2.6 for Mechanical Systems.

RS-33 - Duct Testing Standard and Certification

Standard referred to in the code for duct testing for new and existing construction, RS-33, is WSU Extension Energy Program Publication #WSUEEP 09-008. Click here for a copy of RS-33.

Duct testing compliance also requires certification/documentation of the test results. WSU Energy Program has created model certificates you can use to comply with this requirement, for new construction Click here and existing construction Click here.

Building Air Leakage Testing

Section 5.2.4.5 requires the building envelope to meet the set air leakage standards when tested with a blower door. WSU Energy Program has created a document to better understand the process for compliance with this new requirement. Click here

Chapter 5: Component Performance Approach

The State Building Code Council has been asked to make an interpretation on three issues contained in Chapter 5 which are unclear. To see the draft interpretations for ductwork displacing required insulation Click here ;requirement for 50% of luminaries to be high efficiency Click here ;and blower door testing of air leakage rates Click here . Final disposition of these draft interpretations has not been made by the SBCC.


WSU Energy Program has developed a worksheet which calculates component performance when using Chapter 5 of the Energy Code and can be downloaded here Click here


The WSU Component Performance Worksheet has been an important part of the Washington State Energy Code for more than ten years, yet very few builders understand how to tap into the variety of cost savings and envelope improvements it offers. “Once learned, it takes about two hours per house to complete the Worksheet and can net several thousand dollars of additional profits per house for the builder,” according to green builder and course instructor, Ted Clifton.

Green builder, Daimon Doyle observes: "Interestingly, if a builder utilized the CP worksheet as opposed to following the Prescriptive Path in the new energy code, and meets or exceeds the target UA, the builder will gain the following benefits:

  1. No need to add R5 exterior insulation in Climate Zone 2 even if you are >12% glazing.
  2. Not required to use raised heal trusses or go with R-49 in either zone.
  3. Can still use standard framing as opposed to intermediate and advanced.

To learn more about the Mastering the WSU Component Performance Worksheet class, call the SHBA Office at 509-532-4990 or email Education Director Kim Waseca-Love at kimw@shba.com.

Chapter 6: Prescriptive Requirement Approach

"Builders, especially those working on Zone 2, may be faced with serious challenges when using the Prescriptive path under Chapter 6" according to BIAW instructor and Green Building Professional, Ted Clifton. To learn more, Click here.

To download the Prescriptive Compliance Worksheet Click Here.

BIAW's Energy Code Class

There were a lot of changes from the 2006 version to the 2009 version of Washington's Energy Code. Some were uneventful-adding new definitions, while others were significant such as higher R-values for insulation and U-values for windows. A powerpoint was developed for a series of classes to help BIAW members better understand the changes. It provides an overview and specific requirements of the most significant changes. Some of these new requirements are subject to recent emergency rulemaking or interpretations by the State Building Code Council (see above sections). Click here to view the presentation.

Questions?

You've read the code, reviewed the powerpoint, looked at all the 'how-to' stuff and you still have questions. BIAW's code expert will answer your specific questions on what, when and how to comply with the Energy Code and the 2009 IRC. Click here and your specific question will be answered.