[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6114739,"mediaKeyId","2742161-eda9fd08d2600dbbf3c1b48c6f8fdaf0","parentId",2742161,"title","SBCC authorizes emergency rule filing to clarify fire-protection contractor licensing after confusion over effective dates","audioSeconds",6437,"startMs",1071000,"endMs",7508000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2742161-eda9fd08d2600dbbf3c1b48c6f8fdaf0&start=1071&end=7508","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2742161-eda9fd08d2600dbbf3c1b48c6f8fdaf0/thumbnail_1071000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6114739/Washington/SBCC-authorizes-emergency-rule-filing-to-clarify-fire-protection-contractor-licensing-after-confusion-over-effective-dates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6114739-0b2475a6b5d4a603b4801c8e260198fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1770642624&Signature=FAfHO2lMmnFH3cdZExc5Ur8mk8w-8RTHQ4XwDuXreWo~NjAe02CxBiBTn65JQOsl0hsNciNfGbS7xfWEevU9YhH--30tAE-tAq28Mu31KTtSyMLqs6C3Er6iMA4y~dA-X3nIYJkJIio0lLP6QEGrmtk57Da01DKuRyXk7FClLUbg6Pv8Bag~E4cEZEHd9Y-oRADbpnZq0wF01Q~gbt4vMU06Sku9BVIbiGkea3M12NK6XyanEk1lKkO~fTd~iX1ibaqatnd5O61mgsbi1oG3Xpcr8yM6uSB2jQ~MBz8KVNhn4TpKju9zYlFIaiG3dxycRucJUACGVYjF-18Q7hDF5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Building Code Council","date","2025-03-23T19:30:17.897Z","article","OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington State Building Code Council voted Friday to file an emergency rule and begin expedited permanent rulemaking to resolve contractor confusion about licensing requirements for specialty fire-suppression systems, moving the relevant effective date and adding a limited exception while permanent language is completed.

The move followed public testimony by contractors and fire-protection specialists who said earlier emergency-rule filings and date changes created confusion about when new licensing requirements took effect and whether technicians who had been performing specialized work would meet the new requirements. The council approved staff’s request to refile emergency language and begin expedited permanent rulemaking; the emergency filing updates a date in WAC section 904.1.1.2 and sets a transition date (council staff indicated May 5, 2025) to align a short-term emergency rule with an expedited permanent filing.

Contractors told the council they were seeing work backlogs and unclear eligibility for projects after the prior emergency rule(s) had lapsed or been adjusted. “When you go to the website for the legislative, website regarding the WACs, it still has the effective date as 07/01/2024,” said David Kokot, a fire-protection professional who testified during the public-comment period, describing confusion over what was posted online. He said some contractors “started submitting stuff after February” and were then told they might not meet the new state requirements.

Several speakers described barriers created by the single certifying organization used by many specialty contractors. “NYSAT will not allow both of those hours at the same time. . . . They will not allow you to retroactively put those hours in,” said a Spokane-area fire-protection manager (testimony identified him as Chris), describing limits in how an outside certifier counts prior on-the-job training and how long the certifier takes to approve exam results.

SBCC staff said they were working to refile emergency and expedited rulemaking documents to avoid another lapse in enforceable language while permanent rulemaking proceeds. Legal counsel confirmed the council may adopt an emergency rule at the meeting and follow with expedited or regular rulemaking, and staff asked the council to approve filings that would change the effective date language in the existing emergency rule to a near-term date that would bridge to the expedited permanent filing.

Council members signaled they wanted to avoid imposing a gap in enforceable guidance that could strand contractors or projects; after discussion the council approved staff’s request to refile an emergency rule and initiate expedited rulemaking for the permanent change. The council’s motion authorized staff to file an emergency rule amendment (adjusting the effective date) and file the associated expedited CR-105 permanent rulemaking package.

Why it matters
Contractors and code officials said the uncertainty was causing real-world project delays and administrative confusion. The emergency filing is intended to give agencies, certifiers and practitioners a stable, short-term rule while staff finishes the expedited permanent rule text submitted for review.

What the council recorded
At the meeting the council moved and seconded the staff request and approved it by voice vote. Staff reported the emergency rule will substitute the earlier date language with the new, near-term date (staff identified May 5, 2025 as the target date for alignment) and proceed to expedited permanent rulemaking; if objections to expedited rulemaking arise the matter would revert to standard notice-and-comment procedures.

Speakers (selected)
- David Kokot (fire-protection specialist) — described contractor confusion about online WAC effective dates and consequences for contractors who submitted documents after the prior effective dates.
- “Chris” (fire-protection operations manager, Spokane) — testified about limits imposed by the certifying organization on counting prior experience and on retroactive credit for hours.
- Dustin Kerr (SBCC staff) — described staff’s plan to refile emergency and expedited permanent rulemaking documents.
- Dirk (agency legal counsel) — advised council on legal authority to act that day.
- Angela Haupt (council member) — urged action to avoid another lapse.

Authorities referenced (as stated in public comment and staff remarks)
- ordinance/regulation: \"WAC 51-___.904.1.1.2\" (state amendments to fire code section 904 regarding specialty contractor licensing) referenced_by [\"David Kokot\",\"Dustin Kerr\"].

Clarifying details
- Emergency-rule change: staff proposed changing an effective date in the WAC for section 904.1.1.2 so the emergency filing would bridge to expedited permanent rulemaking; staff identified May 5, 2025 as the target effective date to align filings.
- Timeline: staff will (a) file the emergency-rule amendment immediately, (b) file an expedited CR-105 permanent rulemaking package, and (c) if objections to expedited rulemaking appear, revert to full notice-and-comment rulemaking.
- Practical impacts described by contractors: backlog of bids, projects put on hold, inability to count prior hours with the certifier in some cases, and long certifier review times for test approvals.

Actions
- Emergency rule filing & expedited permanent rulemaking (motion to change effective date in WAC 904.1.1.2 and file CR-105): Moved and seconded (mover recorded in meeting notes as Kjell Anderson; second Tom Handy). Outcome: Approved by voice vote; staff to file emergency amendment and expedited permanent package (CR-105). Notes: If objections to expedited procedure arise, the matter will convert to full CR-101/CR-102 process.

Provenance (transcript evidence)
- topicintro: {\"block_id\":\"block_1071.52\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":120,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"David Kokot: 'I've had some, recent issues regarding the, state amendments to section 9 0 4 of the fire code. . . . When you go to the website for the legislative, website regarding the WACs, it still has the, effective date as 07/01/2024.'\"}
- topfinish: {\"block_id\":\"block_15036.945\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":120,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Council: 'So moved.' 'Second.' 'All those in favor signify by saying aye.' 'Aye.' 'Any opposed? Okay.' That vote instructs staff to refile the emergency and expedited rulemaking.'\"}

Discussion vs. decision
- Discussion: Contractors described confusion about online effective dates, certifier (NYS*E*D/NYSAT in testimony) constraints on counting field hours and long review times, and the administrative backlog facing local jurisdictions.
- Direction: Council authorized staff to file an emergency rule amendment changing the effective date and to submit an expedited permanent rulemaking package (CR-105). Staff to post and coordinate with the Code Reviser.
- Decision: Council approved the staff request by voice vote.

Proper_names
[{\"name\":\"Washington State Building Code Council\",\"type\":\"agency\"},{\"name\":\"NYSAT\",\"type\":\"organization\"},{\"name\":\"Cascade Natural Gas\",\"type\":\"business\"}]

speakers:[{\"name\":\"David Kokot\",\"role_title\":\"Fire-protection specialist\",\"affiliation_type\":\"business\",\"affiliation_name\":\"unknown\",\"first_reference\":{\"timecode\":\"00:17:51\",\"transcript_line_range\":[1071,1110] }},{\"name\":\"Dustin Kerr\",\"role_title\":\"SBCC staff\",\"affiliation_type\":\"government\",\"affiliation_name\":\"Washington State Building Code Council\",\"first_reference\":{\"timecode\":\"00:34:00\",\"transcript_line_range\":[2080,2105]}},{\"name\":\"Chris\",\"role_title\":\"Operations manager / fire-protection specialist (Spokane)\",\"affiliation_type\":\"citizen\",\"affiliation_name\":\"unnamed company\",\"first_reference\":{\"timecode\":\"00:23:34\",\"transcript_line_range\":[1411,1430]}},{\"name\":\"Dirk\",\"role_title\":\"Agency legal counsel\",\"affiliation_type\":\"government\",\"affiliation_name\":\"Office of the Attorney General (representing agency)\",\"first_reference\":{\"timecode\":\"00:28:02\",\"transcript_line_range\":[1683,1696]}},{\"name\":\"Angela Haupt\",\"role_title\":\"Council member\",\"affiliation_type\":\"government\",\"affiliation_name\":\"Washington State Building Code Council\",\"first_reference\":{\"timecode\":\"00:30:28\",\"transcript_line_range\":[1628,1649]}}],

salience\":{\"overall\":0.70,\"overall_justification\":\"This emergency action addresses contractor confusion, potential project delays and regulatory gaps; it does not create permanent policy but prevents a procedural lapse that would affect ongoing work.\"},

\"searchable_tags\":[\"fire-protection\",\"licensing\",\"emergency-rule\",\"code-reviser\",\"SBCC\",\"NYSAT\"],

\"provenance\":{\"transcript_segments\":[{\"block_id\":\"block_1071.52\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":120,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"David Kokot: 'When you go to the website ... it still has the effective date as 07/01/2024.'\",\"global_start\":1071,\"global_end\":1110},{\"block_id\":\"block_15036.945\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":120,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Council: 'So moved.' 'Second.' 'All those in favor signify by saying aye.' 'Aye.' 'Any opposed? Okay.'\",\"global_start\":15036,\"global_end\":15048}]},

\"engagement_forecast\":{\"newsworthiness\":{\"national\":0.10,\"regional\":0.30,\"local\":0.70,\"justification\":\"High local importance to contractors and code officials; lower national interest.\"},\"notify_recommendation\":{\"audience\":\"state\",\"reason\":\"Short-term regulatory action affects contractors and inspectors statewide\",\"audience_regions\":[\"US-WA\"],\"justification\":\"Staff and affected stakeholders should be notified immediately via SBCC channels.\"}},

\"graph_signals\":{\"jurisdictions\":[\"US-WA\"],\"jurisdictions_justification\":\"Action pertains to Washington administrative rules\",\"ontology_topics\":[\"licensing\",\"emergency-rule\",\"fire-protection\"],\"ontology_topics_justification\":\"Core subjects covered in the discussion\"}

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","SBCC Council Meeting - March 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Following contractor testimony about unclear licensing status and certification bottlenecks, the council voted to file an emergency rule and expedited permanent rulemaking to clarify effective dates and provide a limited exception for work on certain engineered fire-extinguishing systems.","taxTitle","Building Code Council, Governor's Office - Boards & Commissions, Executive, Washington","taxId",24233,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6114744,"State Building Code Council directs tags to use site energy; declines immediate switch to source energy",5108,2040000,7148000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2742161-eda9fd08d2600dbbf3c1b48c6f8fdaf0&start=2040&end=7148","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2742161-eda9fd08d2600dbbf3c1b48c6f8fdaf0/thumbnail_2040000.jpg","/articles/6114744/Washington/State-Building-Code-Council-directs-tags-to-use-site-energy-declines-immediate-switch-to-source-energy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6114744-42f4804168cad912f5ffde70f82b844d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770642624&Signature=cLWfqmBCEIC6J6Ggp8yFaufX5D--68c9BxxHgXd-vM1j3AlQGvHOuz9Ece2YT7VIAKma5PiUCj-P~lZJEVdJAsHCqbJ1bVleBQ2uLoKeXOKG6mL0C9cd5G0EK-r4vRc-DjNjym9rT3TkGELxcRsuXdyUIXbkF0gjvzbnmRlu213ROsEZ9bf3Vwm8gBINR5sIPnifGn4fam~0OxJ0IbqwZThx6NsW0FPfZaUFdJ6MtMTlqv3lba4ib-4ivS08RBRSME1vg~~3s2-0W0qUou7ssQL7PisjxXwR3oPMVFZCyUIde0CA9cCJr-280zDPWoSdTtyHPvxBqHYG8G5-Ia1aAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington State Building Code Council voted Friday to direct the residential and commercial energy code technical advisory groups (tags) to use annual metered site energy — energy measured at the customer meter — as the basis for the 2024 Washington State Energy Code, rejecting a proposal to replace it with a source-energy basis.

The council acted after a public hearing and more than two hours of member discussion. The motion, moved by Kjell Anderson and seconded by Katie Sheehan, passed on a roll-call vote of 10 yes to 2 no.

The vote follows extensive, often sharply divergent testimony during a March 21 public hearing on whether the code should measure building energy performance by site energy (measured at the meter) or source energy (which accounts for upstream generation and transmission losses). Supporters of source energy argued it better reflects total system resource use; supporters of site energy said it aligns with state law, existing baselines and what building owners control.

“BIW supports source energy or energy cost as the basis for the energy code,” said Patrick Hanks of the Building Industry Association of Washington during oral testimony. By contrast, architect Jim Hanford argued, “site energy is the best basis for our energy code.” Gregory Johnson of Avista told the council, “Source energy is the most accurate means to measure and reduce both energy consumption and carbon emissions. . . .” Luke Howard, technical lead at the Department of Commerce, recommended keeping site energy, saying in testimony that “Commerce recommends that the council stick with site energy as the energy evaluation metric for the Washington State Energy Code.”

In debate, council members cited statutory alignment, modeling history and the practical impacts of changing metrics mid-cycle. Several speakers warned that switching to source energy would create new modeling choices — for example, which utility or hourly source factors to use — that could add complexity and uncertainty for designers, code officials and builders. Kjell Anderson, who proposed the motion, said annual metered site energy “is most closely aligned with Washington’s statutory goals and requirements” and noted that the state’s progress toward the 2031 energy goal has been tracked using site-energy measures.

The council’s formal direction instructs both the commercial and residential code tags to use annual metered site energy when drafting the 2024 energy code provisions, explicitly naming several code sections for clarity and letting tags retain discretion on technical implementation. The motion also instructed that on- and off-site renewables be counted at the site and allowed the tags to accept, modify or reject the original proposal that prompted the hearing.

What the council did not do was rewrite the code immediately. Council members and staff said the tags will now continue technical work and receive code-change petitions in the usual way; the tags retain the authority to draft specific language and trade-off tables that will come back to the council for eventual rulemaking.

Votes at a glance
- Direction to tags on energy metric (motion by Kjell Anderson; second Katie Sheehan): Use annual metered site energy for 2024 residential and commercial energy codes; on- and off-site renewables counted at site; tags may accept/modify/reject the original petition. Outcome: Passed, roll call 10 yes, 2 no (Damon Doyle and Tom Handy voted no). The council recorded the tally as “Passes 10 to 2.”
- Acceptance of the 2024 Washington State Energy Code — Residential integrated draft (motion to accept integrated draft as amended by MVPE): Outcome: Passed by roll-call vote 9–2.
- Opened petitions windows: The council voted to open the petition window for the 2024 residential energy code and for the single-exit/multiplex housing item from March 21 to May 19, 2025. Outcome: Approved by voice vote.
- Tag appointments and alternates: Council approved multiple tag member appointments and alternates (residential and commercial energy tags, IFC tag, IFC-site appointments). Outcome: Approved by voice vote.
- Other petition routing: Petitions for the International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) were moved toward CR 102 review as shown on staff materials. Outcome: Approved by voice vote.

Why it matters
The council’s decision preserves continuity with how Washington has measured progress toward the state’s 2031 energy goals (which were measured relative to the 2006 Washington baseline using site metrics) and with federal appliance test procedures and consumer-facing “yellow label” metrics that report site-metered use. Proponents of source energy argued it offers a fuller system-level accounting and is used by many federal and national programs; opponents said it would shift control away from building designers and owners and would introduce new methodological choices for the council to resolve.

What’s next
The tags will resume technical work using site-energy metrics and will consider any outstanding proposals or new petitions that come in during the open window. Proposed code language and trade-off tables will return to the council during the normal rule-making cycle for review, cost-benefit analysis and final decisions.

Speakers (selected)
- Todd Beiruther, Chair, Washington State Building Code Council (hearing officer)
- Dustin Kerr, State Building Code Council staff
- Patrick Hanks, Building Industry Association of Washington (testimony)
- Gregory Johnson, Avista (testimony)
- Luke Howard, Washington State Department of Commerce (testimony)
- Jim Hanford, architect (testimony)
- Poppy Storm, 2050 Institute (testimony)
- Nancy Hirsch, Northwest Energy Coalition (testimony)
- Timothy Atteberry, Associated General Contractors of Washington (public comment)
- Council members (speakers during deliberation): Kjell Anderson; Katie Sheehan; Damon Doyle; Tom Handy; Roger Haringa; Ben O’Mara; Pete Reekie; Dan Young; Jay Arnold; Justin Bergau

Authorities referenced (as stated in hearing/testimony)
- statute: \"RCW 19.27A.0160\" referenced_by [\"Deepa Sivarajan\",\"RMI/RMI witness\"]
- statute: \"RCW 19.27A.0140\" referenced_by [\"Deepa Sivarajan\"]
- statute: \"RCW 19.27A.0200\" referenced_by [\"Deepa Sivarajan\"]
(Note: council and witnesses repeatedly referred to RCW provisions governing the Washington State Energy Code; the article does not add statutory analysis beyond explicit references in testimony.)

Discussion vs. decision
- Discussion points: comparative merits of site vs. source energy; alignment with state statutes and prior baselines; measurement complexity and utility/source-factor choices; potential changes to compliance costs for different fuel pathways; consistency with federal appliance labeling.
- Direction: Council directed tags to use annual metered site energy.
- Decision: Formal vote to send that direction back to the tags (10–2).

Provenance (transcript evidence)
- topicintro: {\"block_id\":\"block_2080.29\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":120,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Dustin Kerr: State Building Code Council is holding a public hearing to consider using site energy or source energy as the basis for calculating energy efficiency in the 2024 Washington State Energy Code...\"}
- topfinish: {\"block_id\":\"block_7939.645-7947.245\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":120,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Vote roll call: Passes 10 to 2. With that action, then the recommendation back to the tag...\"}

Clarifying details
- Petition window opened: March 21, 2025 — May 19, 2025 (residential energy code and single-exit/multiplex); council voted to open these windows.
- Hearing date: March 21, 2025; written comments requested by March 14, 2025 (staff posting deadline).
- Vote tally (site vs source motion): 10 yes, 2 no.

Proper_names
[{\"name\":\"Washington State Building Code Council\",\"type\":\"agency\"},{\"name\":\"Building Industry Association of Washington\",\"type\":\"organization\"},{\"name\":\"Avista\",\"type\":\"business\"},{\"name\":\"Department of Commerce\",\"type\":\"agency\"},{\"name\":\"RMI\",\"type\":\"organization\"},{\"name\":\"Northwest Energy Coalition\",\"type\":\"organization\"},{\"name\":\"2050 Institute\",\"type\":\"organization\"}]

salience\":{\"overall\":0.90,\"overall_justification\":\"The decision sets the metric used to measure energy efficiency for the next code cycle and aligns with statutory baselines, affecting code development, compliance, and future policy pathways.\"}","After a daylong hearing and hours of public testimony, the Washington State Building Code Council voted 10–2 to direct commercial and residential energy code tags to use annual metered site energy as the metric for the 2024 code cycle, rejecting a proposal to adopt source-energy metrics now.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

SBCC authorizes emergency rule filing to clarify fire-protection contractor licensing after confusion over effective dates

State Building Code Council directs tags to use site energy; declines immediate switch to source energy