[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6126859,"mediaKeyId","2665561-04d31764a15e64b7bd032bff22ae5b63","parentId",2665561,"title","Committee issues two formal interpretations on code scope and whole‑house ventilation","audioSeconds",2731,"startMs",2938000,"endMs",5669000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665561-04d31764a15e64b7bd032bff22ae5b63&start=2938&end=5669","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665561-04d31764a15e64b7bd032bff22ae5b63/thumbnail_2938000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6126859/Washington/Committee-issues-two-formal-interpretations-on-code-scope-and-wholehouse-ventilation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126859-544a4ff55d78c355b024c3a4be1b2bba/orig.mp4?Expires=1775498248&Signature=TrUyiMMO5AWmOAu~XYIhdeFo7lK7Shs-QyVhDrBQrG5BgdZDHzkbpBmTfW~cUfWi5O-rE36~CZabyvpsy0dgSCjVKWUAkrxlgokQmtDjpaCvj-QV4R95mYiJ22TDCicimiak88GprPlqym2fz8iHhAcLsELuiERkoqXxv21C2-oWRkNWj1CgGovrjgI6HfNHEvIFbGWECrI6lVRTC9mQggxPYtYX7Oav~tcOAIcXpoG8k8PZWxcc-V9TBJ~ZiP17VTlbL-p7YVLfXl0ePtrs53ofkSWWI9uHA4QO0q~yOYARZEIChnQfl0L8onOfLtPCk~h0HsPj5qTK6BaeuEmw1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Building Code Council","date","2025-03-17T22:49:24Z","article","On March 14, 2025, the Mechanical Ventilation, Plumbing and Energy Code Committee approved two formal interpretations clarifying how existing code language should be applied by local jurisdictions and permit reviewers.

First, the committee adopted Opinion 25‑MARCH‑01 responding to a Bremerton/Ruston question about the 2018 and 2021 Washington State Energy Code reference in R403.6. Staff recommended, and the committee accepted, that the cited language intends the applicable provisions of the International Residential Code (IRC) to apply when a project falls within the scope of the IRC and the International Mechanical Code (IMC) to apply when it does not. Committee members recorded the motion and approved the interpretation.

Second, the committee adopted a clarification on 2018 IMC/IRC mechanical ventilation language that had caused inconsistent local interpretations. Staff proposed and the committee approved a position answering two linked questions: whether all dwelling units require a balanced supply‑and‑exhaust whole‑house system and what configuration satisfies the “ducted outdoor ventilation air to each habitable space” requirement.

The committee-approved guidance states that all fresh outdoor air required by the code must be delivered (ducted) to each habitable room. For group R‑2 multifamily dwelling units, the intent is to have balanced systems that provide both supply and exhaust (or an ERV/HRV that provides both). For other dwelling types covered by the IRC, a strictly balanced mechanical system is not universally required; systems may consist of any combination of supply fans, exhaust fans, or ERV/HRV units, provided that fresh outdoor air is supplied to each habitable space and applicable adjustment factors are applied when systems are not balanced. The guidance also referenced exceptions for joined spaces and a prior opinion (20‑06) addressing distributed versus non‑distributed delivery.

During the discussion, local building officials and code consultants said the 2018 code rewrite removed earlier trickle‑vent and inlet language and left ambiguities about whether exhaust‑only configurations could meet the ducted‑air requirement. Staff and committee members said the practical interpretation is that exhaust‑only systems cannot meet the ducted‑fresh‑air‑to‑each‑space requirement; supply elements or ERV/HRV systems (or a combination with local exhaust fans that are part of the whole‑house system) are needed to provide ducted outdoor air to each habitable room.

The committee moved and approved both opinions in committee. The motions to adopt the written opinions were made by committee members and seconded on the record; committee members voted aye and the opinions were approved and scheduled for publication as formal interpretations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","SBCC MVPE Committee Meeting - March 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The committee approved two formal opinions: (1) the IRC/IMC cross‑reference applies as applicable under R403.6; and (2) for 2018 IMC/IRC ventilation language, fresh air must be ducted to each habitable space and group R‑2 multifamily expects balanced systems while other occupancies may use supply/exhaust/ERV combinations.","taxTitle","Building Code Council, Governor's Office - Boards & Commissions, Executive, Washington","taxId",24233,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6126864,"Committee approves Washington residential integrated energy draft, removes 2024 IECC as parallel option",2509,283000,2792000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665561-04d31764a15e64b7bd032bff22ae5b63&start=283&end=2792","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665561-04d31764a15e64b7bd032bff22ae5b63/thumbnail_283000.jpg","/articles/6126864/Washington/Committee-approves-Washington-residential-integrated-energy-draft-removes-2024-IECC-as-parallel-option","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126864-e199800c5074524afe273d8a39451426/orig.mp4?Expires=1775498248&Signature=QDAF9kBliQ50WPO4Lz8FG81aWy5Hg0xhLfBs8RMxafZLiozZKqy2LCTAGJ0HRLmKYkFseZVNaiWcyR-Uynzz6AoucHptUpH7mp~GA4hprwMQk6qnvyCxqhwJgQoHBfzovSA4f4FZ-Zxo4u-L6qbM3FNt1hA-eex6tXLB8cJw1YTM87qIGdgHnbm9TCEbXy4FtQAmRA5kpBPd1RsRHBnIFo575arwtL6hk9QSUhakSS4KPzhLXmr3VwPrugZwqR7qW~S8I2XMxvICRO1jg2RAY9wrcOQbSiuDWkEPq8s5V1cBPjyKv5IYeCqSGbrKfMU9o2Ag62MnXy5zIowrEvZu0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On March 14, 2025, the Mechanical Ventilation, Plumbing and Energy Code Committee voted to advance the Washington State residential integrated energy code draft to the council while striking consideration of the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) as a parallel option for receiving code-change proposals. Committee members said the 2024 IECC will remain listed in the report as a reference but not be treated as a base document to accept proposals against.

Committee members said the decision matters because accepting two full base documents would significantly increase the volunteer and staff workload and could split code-proposal proponents between the two bases, potentially leaving many proposals without hearings. Several committee members argued the integrated draft is the appropriate single basis for proposals to avoid duplicating effort. Other committee members and some tag participants had argued earlier at the tag level that the 2024 IECC should be included as an option because certain tax-credit and financing programs require compliance with the model code.

The discussion began with a presentation of the integrated draft and the tag report, and committee members debated whether to accept both the integrated draft and the 2024 IECC as bases for submitting proposals. Proponents of including the 2024 IECC, including members who served on the residential tag, said including it could produce code proposals that align with model-code incentives. Opponents said the tag did not fully debate the motion at length, that moving forward with two bases would double the time volunteers must spend, and that staff resources are already strained.

Nick (committee member) moved to advance the Washington State Energy Code residential integrated draft to the council but to remove consideration of the 2024 IECC as a parallel option; the motion specified keeping the 2024 IECC only as a reference. Katie Sheehan seconded the motion. The committee conducted a roll-call of willing members; recorded votes in the transcript include Todd Bayruther (Aye), Kjell Anderson (Yes), Ben O'Meara (Yes) and Katie Sheehan (Yes). The motion carried.

Committee members noted the tag vote that produced the report had earlier passed at the tag level with a larger membership and that some tag participants later expressed they had not fully understood the motion when they voted. Several members urged that council and tag volunteers be given a clear process for handling proposals and that staff workload implications be taken into account as the council opens the period to accept proposals.

Next steps: the committee forwarded its recommendation to the council. Committee members said the council could decide next steps at its meeting, including whether to open one or multiple proposal windows. The integrated draft will be posted for consideration according to the council's usual CR-102 procedures and timeline.","The Mechanical Ventilation, Plumbing and Energy Code Committee voted to advance the Washington State residential integrated energy code draft to the council while removing the 2024 IECC as a parallel option for accepting code-change proposals; the 2024 IECC will remain listed as a reference only.","actionData","errors"]

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Committee issues two formal interpretations on code scope and whole‑house ventilation

Committee approves Washington residential integrated energy draft, removes 2024 IECC as parallel option