[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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",[32,76,88],{"_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",6077086,"mediaKeyId","2965799-da8da79bd2ac1cdda5509b9fab3d120c","parentId",2965799,"title","BFRW committee to draft consolidated EV‑charging amendment; members push for data‑driven thresholds and flexibility on electrical sizing","audioSeconds",2097,"startMs",8241000,"endMs",10338000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2965799-da8da79bd2ac1cdda5509b9fab3d120c&start=8241&end=10338","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2965799-da8da79bd2ac1cdda5509b9fab3d120c/thumbnail_8241000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6077086/Washington/BFRW-committee-to-draft-consolidated-EVcharging-amendment-members-push-for-datadriven-thresholds-and-flexibility-on-electrical-sizing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077086-e35f26baa8fcba84ba127e0a082638c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447646&Signature=gygqEiG66UGlCYNoCQXN8NSGv5papT3sSyh7dXfFSa92R8kytu4ZYqqUlFswYMyQtwxVReNOIQHykMUWmkHTl2kgQo3O8QonrME9RJNl9idWxztSd6418X3dzfSZlHNkBqhu-FfopMDJ1UWCsX4nTZ6BPh6eowPOLjVHsNB8Mi7UoqLoE3RzUj9g3f4heffLSVP5lUAw7-PppK98hX2Ckh01oVYdhFeoZN4wg~XMrMROOnIacLZJuXrGLbKCM~0IXWCgECnZTviU5k2qsXS0-6NZWKECn8IVUrvJZiezWqAKqR0TJquF3NCVvK~3262I7xQCCkKMR1lvYUBmMkll3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Building Code Council","date","2025-04-12T02:31:13.723Z","article","The BFRW committee on April 11 reviewed competing petitions about EV‑charging readiness, infrastructure sizing and automatic load management. After hearing proponents, utilities and industry commenters, the committee directed staff to consolidate proposals into a single BFRW draft and to post it for public comment.

Todd Bayer (committee member) presented a working draft that ties three facility categories (residential Group R, commercial, and parking/other) to staggered timelines and to an adoption forecast. The proposal discussed by staff and proponents links near‑term minimums (five‑year horizon) for EV charging and EV‑ready stalls to a longer‑term forecast (20‑year horizon) for transformer/electrical room capacity. Bayer said the approach aims to align required installation levels with regional adoption modeling (the Northwest Power and Conservation Council plan and other forecasts) rather than static percentages that may become obsolete.

Patrick Hanks, Building Industry Association of Washington, and other industry commenters urged changes to reduce near‑term construction cost impacts, recommended moving some infrastructure obligations from immediate electrical service sizing to later utility or site work, and asked for clearer alignment with the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) definitions. Hanks also proposed that automatic load management systems (ALMS) be allowed to serve multiple categories and that exceptions for intermittent DC fast chargers be considered to incentivize commercial fast‑charging deployment.

Utilities and electrical code commenters recommended clarifying the required 40‑amp, 208/240‑volt minimum for charge points and how automatic load management can be certified and inspected. Developers warned that aggressive immediate transformer sizing requirements could delay projects when utility service or transformer upgrades are not available.

After discussion the committee voted to table the petition items and directed the standing committee to produce consolidated amendment language for public review and comment. The committee asked staff and proponents to work together to: (1) map thresholds to published adoption forecasts, (2) harmonize definitions with the IECC and the Washington administrative code, (3) refine a practical inspection path for automatic load management systems, and (4) quantify cost impacts in an economic‑impact analysis for the record.

Why it matters: EV charging requirements affect construction costs, the timing of utility upgrades and the availability of parking at multifamily and commercial developments. The committee sought a data‑driven approach to ensure minimums are defensible and practicable for jurisdictions and utilities.

What’s next: Staff will post the consolidated working draft, the committee will accept written comments and proponents will collaborate with utilities to produce revised language and cost estimates for the next BFRW meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","SBCC BFRW Committee Meeting - April 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The committee reviewed multiple EV‑charging petitions, heard public and industry input about costs, utility coordination and timing, and directed the standing committee to produce a consolidated amendment for public review that ties minimums to forecasted adoption and preserves flexibility on transformer and service sizing.","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},6077091,"Committee consolidates stair pressurization proposals, advances revised damper language; tables HVAC‑shutdown clarifications for further work",1974,6223000,8197000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2965799-da8da79bd2ac1cdda5509b9fab3d120c&start=6223&end=8197","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2965799-da8da79bd2ac1cdda5509b9fab3d120c/thumbnail_6223000.jpg","/articles/6077091/Washington/Committee-consolidates-stair-pressurization-proposals-advances-revised-damper-language-tables-HVACshutdown-clarifications-for-further-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077091-7c71e4a5daad58107810ee2a23670ce1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447646&Signature=Ous9JWBa7NRwJuXP6SZOlt98S0hCPT6eu3NBpblMTpqOnc7fvizmpui67y-ll4717N1FbbqlNnuzbHV8IEm7JRvcA9okL8DpygJqwiNJkY3u3kO6YVQrY5X2h7gGqL0U9x95TcsBabks4hyZXTnVTZcM7IM94aY9Kjf3FZsNL6A1KNLLRouu6opqgojqpWZHsFns3s41DTt7Uh1d5pDueI3n3c72P9lgAlKLuLwkvTvvTjs6yubQyy5ustJ1KnA6lLmfseLtdaTxc6FGma-l0~HquCYLzKlgFtdMEVTgxVTpSR3OayLVuzieFNY-sbwFCLcvomJ1Vf91BqLgBGqm-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Building Fire, Residential and WUI (BFRW) committee on April 11 reviewed multiple petitions addressing stairway pressurization and related code cross‑references and moved to advance a consolidated and corrected revision while declining a duplicate, less‑complete petition.

During the meeting the committee discussed two stair pressurization petitions (GP1038 and GP1114) and a related request to align National Electrical Code (NEC) citations and NFPA references. Committee members and proponents agreed that one revision (GP1114, revision 3) contained more comprehensive editorial corrections and correct cross‑references; the committee voted to move the more complete revision forward to the State Building Code Council and to deny the overlapping petition (GP1038) as duplicative. The committee asked staff to include the corrected reference to NFPA 70 (the 2023 NEC reference) in the state reference listings (WAC chapter references) so that the cross‑code pointers are consistent.

Separately, the committee considered a proposed clarification about acceptable means to render HVAC ductwork “static” so that static fire dampers and static ceiling radiation dampers can be listed for use. Proponent Eric (last name not specified in the transcript) presented revised language that lists several acceptable actuation methods for shutting down HVAC that serves rated assemblies — options included connection to a fire alarm initiating device, duct heat detection devices, smoke detection integrated with alarm systems, and water‑flow alarm activation for sprinkler systems. Commenters from the fire and mechanical communities discussed practical details: (1) dynamic dampers are intended for systems that remain operational during a fire and are UL‑listed for dynamic operation, (2) many ceiling radiation dampers in the market are static types with fusible links typically rated ~165°F, and (3) small continuous ERV systems used in multifamily construction are common and present operational and enforcement questions because they run continuously.

Given outstanding technical clarifications, the committee tabled the damper shutdown clarifications until the next meeting and asked proponents and technical stakeholders (mechanical and fire protection engineers, manufacturers and AHJs) to work offline to refine the definitions and actuation temperature ranges, to confirm which devices qualify as listed heat or smoke detectors for duct use, and to provide suggested language consistent with NFPA 72/13 and the building code. The committee asked staff to circulate an introduction e‑mail to coordinate the follow‑up working group and directed proponents to meet before the next BFRW meeting.

Why it matters: Stair pressurization and acceptable methods to render ductwork static affect how projects satisfy egress and fire‑protection requirements. The committee’s decision to consolidate overlapping petitions and to refine acceptable shutdown mechanisms is intended to reduce inconsistent interpretations across jurisdictions.

What’s next: The committee forwarded the consolidated stair pressurization revision to the SBCC for CR102 consideration and set the damper/HVAC shutdown clarifications for further technical refinement with a targeted return at a future meeting.","The BFRW committee consolidated two stair pressurization proposals, recommended the more complete revision for progression to CR102 with editorial adjustments to references, and asked proponents to continue work on acceptable means to render HVAC ducts static (fire/ceiling radiation dampers) before final recommendation.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6077096,"BFRW committee tables embodied‑carbon appendix; asks committee to draft consolidated amendment for public review",4442,677000,5119000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2965799-da8da79bd2ac1cdda5509b9fab3d120c&start=677&end=5119","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2965799-da8da79bd2ac1cdda5509b9fab3d120c/thumbnail_677000.jpg","/articles/6077096/Washington/BFRW-committee-tables-embodiedcarbon-appendix-asks-committee-to-draft-consolidated-amendment-for-public-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077096-52f96748308575f4eac676c6026953b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447646&Signature=flZCoFsQrQ3E2Bm418wvMC0AXim7Jtvcugc5TU0U9iH2rKF1CGz54znChKD15Zw6kuYKm0TZLx2Cz21hlWBaGdTKuJg~sdAdtJNY20EF6IUXtPEnCro6XRaj4bv8bJ11FVAA3hJnacGDNUs86EKcD~MC3QOkY88lwhtB7azR6mOwNZOgVRiXV~O3zyUtE5V2ixgasV02AXRJh9PtE0xJ9-X07DC6Y1SOeJis685OkHQezGEsahD4C4xs1skLnBgltk4K07XCdDfHlGBGFJwoyAW1UTCc5EMxYqiXsnxKiTjR2zf93jwaBBrUrlfcqwij4wZogXQkWY1eDwUXza8HaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Building Fire, Residential and WUI (BFRW) standing committee on April 11 tabled consideration of a proposed voluntary embodied‑carbon appendix (24GP118) and directed the committee to prepare a consolidated amendment for public review and public comment.

The committee’s action followed presentations from proponents and technical commenters who described three compliance pathways under the draft appendix and recommended edits to wording, thresholds and data sources. Ariel Brenner, New Buildings Institute, described the appendix as voluntary and said it provides three compliance paths: a product‑level pathway based on product and facility‑specific EPDs, a whole‑building LCA pathway with an absolute intensity cap (a draft cap of 500 kilograms CO2e per square meter was cited), and a building‑reuse pathway that would allow compliance when 45% of structure and envelope is retained. Brenner said the product pathway aggregates line‑item GWPs across the building and compares the project total against reference totals from the proposal’s product table.

Aurora Jensen, Carbon Leadership Forum, said CLF supports the general approach but recommended several clarifying edits. Jensen proposed eliminating industry‑average EPDs as an allowed path under the product compliance option, tightening product GWP reference values, clarifying that the metric is a sum across materials (not a simple average), and adding modeling guidance for salvage/reuse and for separate reporting of biogenic carbon. Jensen said CLF will publish benchmarking data soon that could inform the panel’s selection of an intensity cap and other thresholds.

Committee members and other commenters raised questions about several technical and policy matters: whether the whole‑building intensity cap should be an absolute number or relative to a modeled reference building; what baseline data or percentile (mean/median/percentile) to use when setting thresholds; how jurisdictions adopting the appendix locally would align the appendix to local ordinances and planning; and how to coordinate the appendix with other state processes (for example, procurement working groups). Todd Bayer (committee member) and others suggested the SE 2050/SE 2050 benchmarking datasets and CLF’s forthcoming benchmarking report as resources for a consistent methodology.

Industry commenters said compliance paperwork and tracking could create additional cost and staff time. Tim Atterbury, Associated General Contractors of Washington, recalled a local contractor’s difficult experience completing EPD work for a university project and urged caution about burdens that might reduce bidder participation on public projects. Corey Shaw, Washington Aggregate and Concrete Association, and other trade commenters encouraged coordination with the existing Buy Clean and procurement efforts and recommended assigning follow‑up economic‑impact analysis to the appropriate work group.

The BFRW committee voted to table the item and directed committee staff to publish the most current working draft, gather written comments, and return amendment language for public review at a future meeting. The committee asked staff and proponents to integrate technical edits and to coordinate economic‑impact and small‑business analyses as part of subsequent steps.

Why it matters: The appendix, if adopted by jurisdictions, would create a consistent statewide approach to reporting or limiting embodied carbon in buildings and could affect design, material procurement and public projects. The committee’s decision to consolidate proposals and to collect more evidence means the draft will get additional technical and economic review before any formal rulemaking or recommended code change to the State Building Code Council (SBCC).

What’s next: The committee directed staff to post the working draft and accept public comments, with the committee planning further consideration at a later meeting so it can return a consolidated amendment for public review.

","The Building Fire, Residential and WUI (BFRW) committee heard presentations and public comment on a proposed voluntary embodied‑carbon appendix (24GP118), discussed alternative compliance pathways and data sources, and voted to table the item while directing the committee to prepare consolidated amendment language for public review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

BFRW committee to draft consolidated EV‑charging amendment; members push for data‑driven thresholds and flexibility on electrical sizing

Committee consolidates stair pressurization proposals, advances revised damper language; tables HVAC‑shutdown clarifications for further work

BFRW committee tables embodied‑carbon appendix; asks committee to draft consolidated amendment for public review