Technical advisory group backs model language to allow interim emergency shelters in existing buildings

On Nov. 6, the State Building Code Council’s IEBC Technical Advisory Group met to continue drafting guidance for temporary emergency shelters and agreed to advance a package of model provisions based on Seattle and Shoreline policies that would allow existing buildings to operate as interim shelters under a fire operational permit.

The draft under discussion would allow "an interim use emergency shelter in an existing building with an operational permit from the Shoreline Fire Department," providing relief from a full change-of-occupancy process while keeping the building’s existing certificate of occupancy, Ardel Jala, building official for the City of Seattle, told the committee.

Why it matters: jurisdictions nationwide are using a mix of hotels, faith‑based facilities and rapidly deployable units such as pallet shelters and tiny‑house villages to provide shelter during cold weather, disasters and as transitional housing. The advisory group’s work is intended to give jurisdictions a clear, statewide model so local building and fire officials can permit and inspect such uses while maintaining life‑safety protections.

Key provisions discussed

- Scope and permit: Shoreline’s approach uses a fire operational permit for temporary use and explicitly states the temporary shelter will not alter the building’s certificate of occupancy so long as permit conditions are met.

- Egress and location: inspectors would look for two egress paths from sleeping areas where feasible; the guidance favors locating shelter sleeping areas within one level of the ground floor to minimize travel distance, requires exit lighting and signage, and prohibits locking required exit paths.

- Emergency systems: the draft calls for interconnected smoke alarms and carbon‑monoxide detectors, portable fire extinguishers, and a posted fire safety and emergency plan in lieu of requiring full sprinkler or fire‑alarm systems in every circumstance.

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