14.04.020 Adoption of international codes

14.04.020 Adoption of international codes.

The following international codes, which have been adopted with amendments by the State Building Code Council pursuant to Chapter 19.27 RCW, are herewith adopted by reference as though fully set forth in this chapter:

(1) International Building Code 2018 Edition, as published by the International Code Council, together with Washington State amendments as set forth in Chapter 51-50 WAC, together with Appendix E and Appendix J, Sections 101 through 111, together with all Washington State amendments as contained in Chapter 51-50 WAC, and together with the applicable references to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), current edition as amended, except that:

(a) Section 105.2 shall be modified to add the following:

#14. Platforms not more than 30 inches above the grade and not over any basement or story below;

#15. Replacement of nonstructural siding on IRC structures except for veneer, stucco, or exterior finish and insulation systems (EIFS);

#16. In-kind window replacement for IRC structures where no alteration of structural members is required and which the window U values meet the prescriptive requirements within the Washington State Energy Code;

#17. Job shacks that are placed at a permitted job site during construction may be allowed on a temporary basis and shall be removed upon final approval of construction;

#18. In-kind reroofing of one and two family dwellings provided roof sheathing is not removed or replaced; and

(b) Section 105.3.2 shall be amended to add the following:

i. Applications for which no permit is issued within 18 months following the date of application shall expire by limitation and plans and other data submitted for review may thereafter be returned to the applicant or destroyed in accordance with state law;

ii. Applications may be cancelled for inactivity, if an applicant fails to respond to the department’s written request for revisions, corrections, actions or additional information within 90 days of the date of request. The building official may extend the response period beyond 90 days; and

i. Every permit issued shall expire two years from the date of issuance. The building official may approve a request for an extended expiration date where a construction schedule is provided by the applicant and approved prior to permit issuance. The building official is authorized to grant, in writing, one or more extensions of time, for periods not more than 180 days each. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.

(2) International Residential Code, published by the International Code Council, 2018 Edition, together with Washington State amendments as set forth in Chapter 51-51 WAC as hereby adopted, except that:

(a) Appendix Q, Dwelling Unit Sprinkler Systems, is not adopted.

(b) Sections P2501 through P3201 and E3401 through E4209 are not adopted.

Automatic residential sprinkler systems for townhouses shall be designed and installed in accordance with Section P2904 or NFPA 13D. All spaces, including attached garages and covered balconies/patios, shall be provided with fire sprinkler coverage.

(3) International Existing Building Code, published by the International Code Council, 2018 Edition.

(4) International Mechanical Code, published by the International Code Council, 2018 Edition, together with Washington State amendments as set forth in Chapter 51-52 WAC.

(5) Uniform Plumbing Code, published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, IAPMO, 2018 Edition, together with Washington State amendments as set forth in Chapter 51-56 WAC, except that Table 1-1, Chapter 12, Fuel Gas Piping, and Chapter 15, Alternate Water Sources for Nonpotable Applications, are not adopted. The Uniform Plumbing Code Standards (Appendix 1), 2018 Edition, together with all Washington State amendments contained in Chapters 51-56 and 51-57 WAC, are hereby adopted.

(6) International Fire Code, published by the International Code Council, 2018 Edition, together with Appendices B, C, D, E, F, and G, and together with all Washington State amendments as contained in Chapter 51-54A WAC, are hereby adopted, except that:

(a) Section 503 shall be adopted in its entirety as published by the International Code Council.

(b) New Section 901.7.7 is added to read as follows:

Replacing systems to service. When a fire alarm control panel needs replacing or is no longer serviceable, the entire building must comply with current codes.

(d) Section 903.3.1.1 shall be modified to read:

Where the provisions of this code require that a building or portion thereof be equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with this section, sprinklers shall be installed throughout in accordance with NFPA 13 except as provided in Section 903.3.1.1.1.

(e) Section 903.3.1.1.2 shall be modified to read:

In Group R occupancies, sprinklers shall be required in all bathrooms located within individual dwelling units or sleeping units.

(f) Section 903.3.1.2 shall be amended to read:

Automatic sprinkler systems in Group R occupancies up to and including four stories in height in buildings not exceeding 60 feet in height above grade plane shall be permitted to be installed throughout in accordance with NFPA 13R. Sprinklers shall also be installed in all closets (whether in the living areas or attached to the patio/balcony), pantries, storage rooms, and attached garage(s).

(g) Section 905.3.1 shall be amended to read:

A standpipe system, as determined by the Fire Code Official, shall be installed throughout buildings where any of the following conditions exist:

(h) Section 907.2.9.1 shall be amended to read:

A manual fire alarm system that activates the occupant notification system in accordance with Section 907.5 shall be installed in Group R-2 occupancies where any of the following conditions apply:

1. Any dwelling unit or sleeping unit is located two or more stories above the lowest level of exit discharge.

2. Any dwelling unit or sleeping unit is located more than one story below the highest level of exit discharge of exits serving the dwelling unit or sleeping unit.

3. The building contains more than 16 dwelling units or sleeping units.

Exceptions:

1. Manual fire alarm boxes are not required where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic fire sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2 and the occupant notification appliances will automatically activate throughout the notification zones upon a sprinkler water flow.

(7) Washington State Energy Code, published by the Washington State Building Code Council, latest edition, together with Washington State amendments as set forth in Chapters 51-11C and 51-11R WAC.

(8) International Fuel Gas Code, published by the International Code Council, 2018 Edition, together with Washington State amendments as set forth in Chapter 51-52 WAC.

(9) International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, published by the International Code Council, 2018 Edition.

(a) WAC 51-50-3109 Section 3109 – Swimming pools, spas and other water recreation devices.

(b) All other “water recreation facilities” as defined in RCW 70.90.110 are regulated under Chapters 246-260 and 246-262 WAC. Public swimming pool barriers are regulated by WAC 246-260-031(4). (Ord. 1494 § 1, 2021; Ord. 1434 § 2, 2016; Ord. 1360 § 1, 2013; Ord. 1272 § 1, 2010; Ord. 1214 § 1, 2007; Ord. 1154 § 1, 2004; Ord. 1048, 1998).