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WASHINGTON STATEBUILDING CODECHAPTER 51-51 WACINTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE2015 EditionWashington State Building Code CouncilEffective July 1, 2016
Copies of the State Building Codes andcomplete copies of the 2015 International Residential Codeas published by the International Code Councilmay be obtained from:Washington Association of Building OfficialsPost Office Box 7310Olympia, Washington 98507-7310(360) 628-8669www.wabobookstore.orgor toll free in Washington State at (888) 664-9515The 2015 International Residential Code,as published by the International Code Council,may be viewed at the following /I-Codes/2015%20IRC%20HTML/index.htmlFirst EditionInternational Residential CodeChapter 51-51 WACEffective July 1, 2016First Edition based onWSR 16-03-025
PrefaceAuthority: The International Residential Code (Chapter 51-51 WAC) is adopted by the Washington State Building CodeCouncil pursuant to Chapters 19.27 and 70.92 RCW. These codes were first adopted by reference by the Washington StateLegislature in 1974. In 1985, the Legislature delegated the responsibility of adoption and amendment of these codes to the StateBuilding Code Council.Code Precedence: The State Building Code Act, Chapter 19.27 RCW, establishes the following order of precedence among thedocuments adopted as parts of the State Building Code:International Building Code, Standards and amendments -WAC 51-50;International Residential Code, Standards and amendments – WAC 51-51;International Mechanical Code, Standards and amendments - WAC 51-52;International Fire Code, Standards and amendments – WAC 51-54A;Uniform Plumbing Code, Standards and amendments - WAC 51-56Where there is a conflict between codes, an earlier named code takes precedence over a later named code. In the case of conflictbetween the duct insulation requirements of the International Mechanical Code and the duct insulation requirements of theEnergy Code, the Energy Code, or where applicable, a local jurisdiction's energy code, shall govern.Where, in any specific case, different sections of this Code specify different materials, methods of construction or otherrequirements, the most restrictive shall govern. Where there is conflict between a general requirement and a specific requirement,the specific requirement shall be applicable.Organization and Numbering: These rules are written to allow compatible use with the International Residential Code. Allsections which are amended, deleted, or added are referenced.Enforcement: The State Building Code Act requires that each local jurisdiction enforce the State Building Code within itsjurisdiction. Any jurisdiction can contract with another jurisdiction or an inspection agency to provide the mandated enforcementactivities.Amendments to the State Building Code:The State Building Code Council has adopted review procedures and approval criteria for local amendments. Theseprocedures and criteria are found in Chapter 51-04 WAC. The Council has exempted from its review any amendmentsto the administrative provisions of the various codes.Forms for proposing statewide amendments to the State Building Code are available from the State Building CodeCouncil staff.A. Amendments of Statewide Application: On a yearly basis the State Building Code Council willconsider proposals to amend the State Building Code. Unless directed by the State Legislature, federalmandates or court order, the Council will not enter formal rulemaking until 2018 as part of its considerationof adoption of the 2018 series of codes.Proposals to amend the State Building Code shall be made on forms provided by the Building Code Council.Code Change Proposal Submittal Deadline: March 1st of each year.B. Local Amendments: Any jurisdiction may amend the State Building Code provided the amendments donot reduce the minimum performance standards of the codes. There are areas where local amendments arelimited or prohibited:Prohibited Amendments: Residential provisions of the State Energy Code (WAC 51-11R and 51-11C), Ventilationprovisions in Section 408 of the Mechanical Code (WAC 51-52) and Section M1507.3 of the IRC (WAC 51-51); anyprovision of the International Building Code or International Residential Code affecting accessibility; and standardsspecifically adopted in Chapters 19.27 and 19.27A RCW cannot be amended by any local jurisdiction.Residential Amendments: Amendments by local jurisdictions which affect the construction of single familyand multi-family residential buildings must be reviewed and approved by the State Building Code Councilbefore such amendments can be enforced. The State Building Code Act provides the following definition:i
“Multi-family residential building” means common wall residential buildings that consist of fouror fewer units, that do not exceed two stories in height, that are less than 5,000 square feet in area,and that have a one-hour fire-resistive occupancy separation between units.Application forms for Council review of local amendments are available from the State Building Code Council Staff.Washington State Building Code CouncilPost Office Box 41449Olympia, Washington 98504-1449www.sbcc.wa.gov(360) 407-9280 Fax (360) 586-9088e-mail: sbcc@des.wa.govPrinting Format: This version of the rules is published as a series of insert or replacement pages. Each page providesinstructions for installing them in the model code book. Amendments to the model code which are new or revised fromthe previous edition of this code are indicated by a line in the margin next to the revised portions.Effective Date: These rules were adopted by the State Building Code Council on November 13, 2015. The rules areeffective throughout the state on July 1, 2016. (This version of the code is based on WAC 51-51 as published in WSR16-03-025. It is subject to review by the State Legislature during the 2016 session.)Building Permit Fees: The activities of the State Building Code Council are supported by permit fees collected by eachcity and county. Section 19.27.085 of the State Building Code Act requires that a fee of 4.50 be imposed on eachbuilding permit issued by each city and county. In addition, a fee of 2.00 per unit shall be imposed for each dwellingunit after the first unit, on each building containing more than one residential unit. For the purpose of this fee, WAC 5105-200 defines building permits as a permit issued by a city or county to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolishor change the occupancy of any building or structure regulated by the International Building Code as set forth in theInternational Building Code, section 105.1 or by the International Residential Code as set forth in the InternationalResidential Code, section R105.1. This definition shall be subject to the exemptions contained in section 105.2 of theInternational Building Code and section R105.2 of the International Residential Code. Building permits shall not includeplumbing, electrical, mechanical permits, or permits issued pursuant to the International Fire Code.Each city and county shall remit moneys collected to the state treasury quarterly. No remittance is required until aminimum of 50.00 has accumulated.These permit fees are the amounts current in January 2016. Such fees may be changed by the State Legislature.Opinions: Only at the request of a local enforcement official, the State Building Code Council may issueinterpretations/opinions of those provisions of the State Building Code created by the Council, or provisions of the modelcodes amended by the Council. Final interpretation authority for any specific permit resides with the local enforcementofficial.ii
Table of ContentsSectionPageWAC 51-51-001Authority . AWAC 51-51-002Purpose . AWAC 51-51-003International Residential Code . AWAC 51-51-007Exceptions . AWAC 51-51-008Implementation . AWAC 51-51-0100Chapter 1 Scope and AdministrationSection R101 - General . 1Section R102 – Applicability . 1WAC 51-51-0200Chapter 2 DefinitionsSection R202 – Definitions . 11WAC 51-51-0300Chapter 3 Building PlanningSection R301 – Design Criteria .Section R302 –Fire-Resistant Construction .Section R303 – Light, Ventilation and Heating .Section R307 – Toilet, bath and shower spaces.Section R308 – Glazing .Section R310 – Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings .Section R311 – Means of Egress .Section R313 – Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems .Section R314 – Smoke Alarms .Section R315 – Carbon Monoxide Alarms .Section R324 – Solar Energy Systems .Section R325 – Adult Family Homes .Section R326 – Family Home Child Care .Section R327 – Protection Against Radon .Section R328 – Mezzanines .Section R329 – Swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs .275055575962636767687677a77b77c7777WAC 51-51-0400Chapter 4 FoundationsSection R408 – Under Floor Space . 121WAC 51-51-0500Chapter 5 FloorsSection R507 – Decks . 149WAC 51-51-0600Chapter 6 Wall ConstructionSection R602 – Wood Wall Framing . 174Section R609 – Exterior Windows and Doors . 328WAC 51-51-0700Chapter 7 Wall CoveringSection R702 – Interior Covering . 344Section R703 – Exterior Covering . 345i
WAC 51-51-0903Chapter 9 –Roof AssembliesSection R903 – Weather Protection . 413WAC 51-51-1000Chapter 10 Chimneys and FireplacesSection R1001 – Masonry Fireplaces . 428Section R1002 – Masonry Heaters . 431Section R1004 – Factory-Built Fireplaces . 436Section R1006 – Exterior Air Supply . 436Chapter 11 is not adoptedWAC 51-51-1200Chapter 12 Mechanical AdministrationSection M1201 – General . 471WAC 51-51-1300Chapter 13 General Mechanical System RegulationsSection M1301 – General . 473Section M1307 – Appliance Installation . 475WAC 51-51-1400Chapter 14 – Heating and Cooling Equipment and AppliancesSection M1413 – Evaporative Cooling Equipment 482WAC 51-51-1500Chapter 15 – Exhaust SystemsSection M1505 –Overhead Exhaust Hoods . 486Section M1507 – Mechanical Ventilation . 487WAC 51-51-1600Chapter 16 Duct SystemsSection M1601 – Duct Construction . 489WAC 51-51-1700Chapter 17 Combustion AirSection M1701 – General . 493WAC 51-51-2000Chapter 20 Boilers and Water HeatersSection M2001 – Boilers . 501Section M2005 –Water heaters. 502WAC 51-51-2100Chapter 21 - Hydronic pipingSection M2101- Hydronic piping systems installation . 503Section M2103 – Floor Heating Systems . 505Section M2105 – Ground-source heat-pump system loop piping . 506WAC 51-51-2300Chapter 23 - Solar Thermal Energy SystemsSection M2301 –Solar Thermal Energy Systems . 511Chapters 25 through 42 are not adoptedWAC 51-51-60101Appendix F - Radon Control MethodsSection AF101 – Scope . 813Section AF103 –Requirements . 813WAC 51-51-60105Appendix Q Dwelling Unit Fire Sprinkler Systems . 869WAC 51-51-60106Appendix U – Solar-ready provisions – detached oneand two-family dwellings, multiple single-familydwellings (townhouses) . 887WAC 51-51-60107Appendix V Fire Sprinklers . 888aii
WASHINGTON STATE AMENDMENTSCHAPTER 51-51 WACSTATE BUILDING CODE ADOPTION AND AMENDMENTOF THE 2015 EDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODEWAC 51-51-001 AUTHORITYThese rules are adopted under the authority of Chapter19.27 RCW.WAC 51-51-002 PURPOSEThe purpose of these rules is to implement the provisionsof Chapter 19.27 RCW, which provides that the StateBuilding Code Council shall maintain the State BuildingCode in a status which is consistent with the purpose as setforth in RCW 19.27.020. In maintaining the co
2015 Edition Washington State Building Code Council Effective July 1, 2016 . Copies of the State Building Codes and complete copies of the 2015 International Residential Code as published by the International Code Council may be obtained from: Washington Association of Building Officials Post Office Box 7310 Olympia, Washington 98507-7310 (360) 628-8669 www.wabobookstore.org or toll free in .
