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Seattle Fire Marshal presses SBCC to align battery/energy‑storage language across codes and update NFPA reference
Summary
The Seattle Fire Marshal urged SBCC to add clarifying IFC language on batteries and energy storage (including exceptions and sprinkler design references), update the NFPA 855 reference to the 2026 edition, and correct multiple correlation errors between IBC and IFC CR102 documents.
Ken Brouillette of the Seattle Fire Marshal's Office provided detailed testimony asking SBCC to clarify and correlate proposed WAC language across the International Fire Code and International Building Code to reflect recent national code action and improve implementability for battery energy storage systems.
Brouillette asked SBCC to add base‑code exception language tying batteries and automatic sprinkler requirements to section 1207 and to ensure Washington amendments do not omit the base code exception that exempts small consumer batteries. He also flagged a clerical error in Petition 24‑GP1‑021 regarding inclusion of "Class 1" in WAC 51‑54A‑5706, and he asked the council to update the NFPA 855 reference to the 2026 edition where Chapter 12 references that standard.
Beyond battery provisions, Brouillette identified several correlation issues between the IBC and IFC CR102 documents that could confuse users, including matching sections on bulk storage of tires (903.2.9.2), Group S‑1 distilled spirits/wine storage (903.2.9.3), NFPA13D sprinkler references (903.3.1.3), and egress two‑way communications (1009.8). He also noted editorial/numbering errors in the IRC CR102 (R330 duplication and numbering misreferences) and requested those be corrected.
Brouillette said he will submit written comments with highlighted language and attachments. The council recorded his testimony for the official rulemaking file; no actions or votes were taken at the hearing.
