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Committee discusses updating emergency refrigerant rule to align with ASHRAE 2024 standard
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Summary
Committee members discussed proposed amendments to an existing emergency rule for mechanical code refrigerants that would reference ASHRAE 2024; staff will determine filing options and follow up.
Committee members of the State Building Code Council (SBCC) discussed proposed modifications to an active emergency rule covering refrigerant installations in chapter 11 of the mechanical code and the process for bringing those changes into effect.
Ben Omura raised the topic, noting staff had received an email from Eric proposing a modification to the current emergency rule for mechanical code chapter 11 and asking how the committee should review the change. Dustin (staff member) said the existing emergency rule was in place to allow use of newer ASHRAE guidance and explained the proposed modification would update the emergency rule to reference “ASHRAE 2024” rather than the current ASHRAE 15, 2021 version.
Dustin told the committee that updating an active emergency rule typically requires refiling (staff to prepare another CR103E form) to replace the prior emergency rule while it remains in effect. He said staff would need to ensure the updated filing explicitly replaces the prior CR103E because the original emergency rule had not yet expired.
Committee members discussed timing and meeting logistics: the regular meeting scheduled on the 19th had been canceled, and the committee considered addressing the item at a special meeting on the 26th to meet rulemaking timelines. Ben asked that the matter be put on the next introduction meeting agenda; Dustin said he would confer with Derek about whether the council must re-find an emergency or whether the update can proceed without a new finding. Justin confirmed the petitioner had used “option 2” to amend the rule via an APA petition form, which started the 60-day timeline when staff received the petition.
No formal motion or vote was taken on the refrigerant rule amendment at the committee meeting. Dustin said he would follow up with Derek and staff to determine whether the council can treat the proposal as an update to the existing emergency rule or must begin the emergency amendment process anew. If the council pursues the update, staff said it would draft the necessary CR103E and related materials for council consideration and filing.
