Council hears building-code update: batteries, fire safety and energy standards under review
Summary
Staff previewed a move toward the 2021 codes plus a ‘pathway’ to include contemporary lithium-ion battery safety provisions and an energy conservation update that would raise insulation requirements — changes staff say could increase new-house costs by an estimated $12,000–$14,000 while yielding modest annual energy savings.
City staff outlined proposed updates to the city’s building and energy codes, focusing on battery-related fire risks and higher energy-conservation standards in the 2021 International Codes.
“Charging and storage and battery packs are probably the biggies,” said the building-code presenter (speaker 3), summarizing the fire-code pathway the International Code Council has created to allow jurisdictions to adopt modern battery provisions without waiting for the full next code cycle. Staff emphasized that lithium-ion and other chemistries now common in EVs and storage systems require updated operational and storage standards.
On energy conservation, staff said moving fully to the 2021 standard would substantially increase insulation requirements and building details. The presenter noted that for new construction the change could “add 12 to $14,000 to the price” while saving roughly $125 a year in energy costs, raising questions about local fit, older homes’ capacity to accept airtight materials and costs for modest remodels.
Council members asked for follow-up details about enforcement, blower-door testing, and flexibility for older housing stock; staff recommended a pathway approach (adopt 2015 baseline with selected 2021 provisions) to balance safety and local feasibility. Staff said they will return with further detail in upcoming meetings.
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