The IRC Tag of the Washington State Building Code Council on July 31 discussed replacing existing state- amended loft language with the 2024 International Residential Code’s new sleeping loft provisions and recommended repealing redundant state text where the model code now covers the same ground. Dustin (staff member) presented the recommended repeal and alignment; several tag members asked for more time to check cross-code usage before final action.

Why it matters: the tag is responsible for recommending how state-specific amendments should be preserved, changed or repealed. Where Washington’s existing amendments duplicate or conflict with new IRC language, the tag must decide whether to keep the state language, modify it, or adopt the model-code text. That choice affects how builders, design professionals and local jurisdictions interpret attic/loft provisions, smoke alarm placement and egress requirements.

Tag members noted that the 2024 IRC added a distinct “sleeping loft” section and that Washington’s 2021 text (which used “loft”) had been a full state amendment. Mariko Blessing pointed out that the 2018 Washington code used “sleeping loft,” the 2021 version changed to “loft,” and the 2024 IRC again uses “sleeping loft,” so the group needs to ensure consistent terminology across the WAC if the model-code wording is adopted. Dustin recommended repealing the state-added 3‑33 sleeping-loft sections and aligning with the 2024 language; several members supported the alignment in principle but asked for a follow-up review to map every occurrence of “loft”/“sleeping loft” across the WAC before any repeal.

Discussion centered on clarity and whether some local distinctions (mezzanine-type lofts not intended for sleeping) still need different language; the tag did not change any standing state amendment at the meeting and tabled detailed decisions about the exception language and cross-code term consistency for the next meeting. Dustin said he will mark the sleeping-loft sections for additional discussion and bring back a consolidated proposal for the next session.

The tag’s next step is to continue the cross-check: identify every place the term “loft” or “sleeping loft” appears in the Washington amendments and confirm whether adopting the 2024 sleeping-loft section would remove, alter or duplicate state requirements. The item was left open for the next meeting’s agenda.