Administration and Enforcement
SECTION 101 - SCOPE AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
101.1 Title: Chapters 1 through 10 of this Code shall be known as the "Washington State Residential Energy Code" and may be cited as such; and will be referred to herein as "this Code."
101.2 Purpose and Intent: The purpose of this Code is to provide minimum standards for new or altered buildings and structures or portions thereof to achieve efficient use and conservation of energy.
The purpose of this Code is not to create or otherwise establish or designate any particular class or group of persons who will or should be especially protected or benefited by the terms of this Code.
It is intended that these provisions provide flexibility to permit the use of innovative approaches and techniques to achieve efficient use and conservation of energy. These provisions are structured to permit compliance with the intent of this Code by any one of the following three paths of design:
- A systems analysis approach for the entire building and its energy-using sub-systems which may utilize renewable energy sources; Chapter 4.
- A component performance approach for various building elements and mechanical systems and components; Chapter 5.
- A prescriptive requirements approach; Chapter 6.
Compliance with any one of these approaches meets the intent of this Code. This Code is not intended to abridge any safety or health requirements required under any other applicable codes or ordinances.
The provisions of this Code do not consider the efficiency of various energy forms as they are delivered to the building envelope. A determination of delivered energy efficiencies in conjunction with this Code will provide the most efficient use of available energy in new building construction.
101.3 Scope: This Code sets forth minimum requirements for the design of new buildings and structures that provide facilities or shelter for residential occupancies by regulating their exterior envelopes and the selection of their HVAC, service water heating systems, and equipment for efficient use and conservation of energy.
Buildings shall be designed to comply with the requirements of either Chapter 4, 5, or 6 of this Code.
For the purposes of this code:
Detached one- and two- family dwellings built under the International Residential Code shall be considered R-3 Occupancies.
Attached multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) built under the International Residential Code shall be considered R-2 Occupancies.
101.3.1 Exempt Buildings: Buildings and structures or portions thereof meeting any of the following criteria shall be exempt from the building envelope requirements of Section 502 and Sections 602, but shall comply with all other requirements for building mechanical systems **Section 503**, and service water heating **Section 504**.
101.3.1.1: Buildings and structures or portions thereof whose peak design rate of energy usage is less than 3.4 Btu/h per ft2 or 1.0 watt per ft2 of floor area for space conditioning requirements.
101.3.1.2: Buildings and structures or portions thereof which are neither heated according to the definition of heated space in Chapter 2, nor cooled by a non-renewable energy source, provided that the non-renewable energy use for space conditioning complies with requirements of Section 101.3.1.1.
101.3.1.3: Greenhouses isolated from any conditioned space and not intended for occupancy.
101.3.2 Application to Existing Buildings: Additions, historic buildings, changes of occupancy or use and alterations or repairs shall comply with the requirements in the subsections below.
EXCEPTION: The building official may approve designs of alterations or repairs which do not fully conform with all of the requirements of this Code where in the opinion of the building official full compliance is physically impossible and/or economically impractical and:
- The alteration or repair improves the energy efficiency of the building; or
- The alteration or repair is energy efficient and is necessary for the health, safety and welfare of the general public.
In no case shall building envelope requirements or mechanical system requirements be less than those requirements in effect at the time of the initial construction of the building.
101.3.2.1 Additions to Existing Buildings: Additions to existing buildings or structures may be made to such buildings or structures without making the entire building or structure comply, provided that the new additions shall conform to the provisions of this Code.
EXCEPTION: New additions which do not fully comply with the requirements of this Code and which have a floor area which is less than 750 square feet shall be approved provided that improvements are made to the existing occupancy to compensate for any deficiencies in the new addition. Compliance shall be demonstrated by either systems analysis **Section 402** or component performance **Section 502.2.1** calculations. The nonconforming addition and upgraded, existing occupancy shall have an energy budget or Target UA which is less than or equal to the unimproved existing building (minus any elements which are no longer part of the building envelope once the addition is added), with the addition designed to comply with this Code.
101.3.2.2 Historic Buildings: The building official may modify the specific requirements of this Code for historic buildings and require in lieu thereof alternate requirements which will result in a reasonable degree of energy efficiency. This modification may be allowed for those buildings which have been specifically designated as historically significant by the state or local governing body, or listed in The National Register of Historic Places or which have been determined to be eligible for listing.
101.3.2.3 Change of Occupancy or Use: Any Other than Group R Occupancy which is converted to Group R Occupancy shall be brought into full compliance with this Code.
101.3.2.4 Alterations and Repairs: All alterations and repairs to buildings or portions thereof originally constructed subject to the requirements of this Code shall conform to the provisions of this Code without exception. For all other existing buildings, initial tenant alterations shall comply with the new construction requirements of this Code. Other alterations and repairs may be made to existing buildings and moved buildings without making the entire building comply with all of the requirements of this Code for new buildings, provided the following requirements are met:
101.3.2.5 Building Envelope: The result of the alterations or repairs both:
- Improves the energy efficiency of the building, and
- Complies with the overall average thermal transmittance values of the elements of the exterior building envelope in Table 5-1 of Chapter 5, or the nominal R-values and glazing requirements of the reference case in Tables 6-1 to 6-6 of Chapter 6. **CAM 403; Website NFRC**
EXCEPTIONS:
- Untested storm windows may be installed over existing glazing for an assumed U-factor of 0.90, however, where glass and sash are being replaced in Group R Occupancy, glazing shall comply with the appropriate reference case in Tables 6-1 and 6-2.
- Where the structural elements of the altered portions of roof/ceiling, wall or floor are not being replaced, these elements shall be deemed to comply with this Code if all existing framing cavities which are exposed during construction are filled to the full depth with batt insulation or insulation having an equivalent nominal R-value while, for roof/ceilings, maintaining the required space for ventilation. Existing walls and floors without framing cavities need not be insulated. Existing roofs shall be insulated to the requirements of this Code if:
- The roof is uninsulated or insulation is removed to the level of the sheathing, or
- All insulation in the roof/ceiling was previously installed exterior to the sheathing or non-existent.
101.3.2.6 Building Mechanical Systems: Those parts of systems which are altered or replaced shall comply with Section 503 of this Code. **CAM 415; Form Equipment Sizing**
101.3.2.7 Service Water Heating: Those parts of systems which are altered or replaced shall comply with Section 504 of this Code.
101.3.2.8 Lighting: Alterations shall comply with Section 1132.3.
EXCEPTION: Group R-3 and R-4 Occupancy and the dwelling unit portions of Group R-1 and R-2 Occupancy.
101.3.3 Mixed Occupancy: When a building houses more than one occupancy, each portion of the building shall conform to the requirements for the occupancy housed therein. Where approved by the building official, where minor accessory uses do not occupy more than 10% of the area of any floor of a building, the major use may be considered the building occupancy.
101.4 Amendments By Local Government: Except as provided in RCW 19.27A.020(7), this Code shall be the maximum and minimum energy Code for Group R Occupancies in each town, city and county, no later than July 1, 1991.
SECTION 102 - MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT
102.1 Identification: All materials and equipment shall be identified in order to show compliance with this Code.
102.2 Maintenance Information: Required regular maintenance actions shall be clearly stated and incorporated on a readily accessible label. Such label may be limited to identifying, by title or publication number, the operation and maintenance manual for that particular model and type of product. Maintenance instructions shall be furnished for any equipment which requires preventive maintenance for efficient operation.
SECTION 103 - ALTERNATE MATERIALS--METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION, DESIGN OR INSULATING SYSTEMS
The provisions of this Code are not intended to prevent the use of any material, method of construction, design or insulating system not specifically prescribed herein, provided that such construction, design or insulating system has been approved by the building official as meeting the intent of this Code. The building official may approve any such alternate provided he finds the proposed alternate meets or exceeds the provisions of this Code and that the material, method, design or work offered is for the purpose intended, at least the equivalent of that prescribed in this Code, in quality, strength, effectiveness, fire-resistance, durability, safety and efficient use and conservation of energy. The building official may require that sufficient evidence of proof be submitted to substantiate any claims that may be made regarding performance capabilities.
SECTION 104 - PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS
**CAM
303, CAM
303A**
104.1 General: If required by the building official, plans and specifications shall be submitted in support of an application for a building permit. If required by the building official, plans and specifications shall be stamped and authenticated by a registered design professional currently licensed in the state of Washington. All plans and specifications, together with supporting data, shall be submitted to the building official prior to issuance of a building permit.
104.2 Details: The plans and specifications shall show in sufficient detail all pertinent data and features of the building and the equipment and systems as herein governed including, but not limited to: design criteria, exterior envelope component materials, U-factors of the envelope systems, R-values of insulating materials, size and type of apparatus and equipment, equipment and systems controls and other pertinent data to indicate compliance with the requirements of this Code. **CAM 303, CAM 303A**
The building official may accept the professional stamp of an architect or engineer licensed to do business by the state in lieu of a plan and specification check if the engineer or architect stipulates to the best of his knowledge, understanding and belief, the design meets the requirements of this Code.
SECTION 105 - INSPECTIONS AND ENFORCEMENT
105.1 General: All construction or work for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the building official and all such construction or work shall remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes until approved by the building official.
105.2 Approvals Required: No work shall be done on any part of the building or structure beyond the point indicated in each successive inspection without first obtaining the approval of the building official.
105.2.1 Required Inspections: The building official, upon notification, shall make the following inspection in addition to those inspections required in Section 109.3 of the International Building Code:
- Wall Insulation Inspection: To be made after all wall insulation and air vapor retarder sheet or film materials are in place, but before any wall covering is placed.
105.3 Reinspection: The building official may require a structure to be reinspected.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to erect or construct any building, or remodel or rehabilitate any existing building or structure in the state, or allow the same to be done, contrary to or in violation of any of the provisions of this Code.
Nothing contained in this Code is intended to be nor shall be construed to create or form the basis for any liability on the part of any city or county or its officers, employees or agents for any injury or damage resulting from the failure of a building to conform to the provisions of this Code.
SECTION 108 - CONFLICTS WITH OTHER CODES
In addition to the requirements of this Code, all occupancies shall conform to the provisions included in the State Building Code (Chapter 19.27 RCW). In case of conflicts among Codes enumerated in RCW 19.27.031 subsections (1), (2), (3) and (4) and this Code, the first named ode shall govern over the following. Provided, in the case of conflict between the duct insulation requirements of this Code and the duct sealing and insulation requirements of Section 603 and 603 of the State Mechanical Code (Chapter 51-52 WAC), the duct insulation requirements **Section 503.9** of this 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 other requirements, the most restrictive shall govern. Where there is a conflict between a general requirement and a specific requirement, the specific requirement shall be applicable. Wherever in this Code reference is made to the appendix, the provisions in the appendix shall not apply unless specifically adopted.
If any provision of this Code or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of this Code or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.
