[{"_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",6064241,"mediaKeyId","3256545-ca89e192f4f604364a606a91042abdd2","parentId",3256545,"title","Tag approves cleanup of Appendix A default-assembly tables, directs reference to ASHRAE 90.1","audioSeconds",1694,"startMs",21642000,"endMs",23336000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3256545-ca89e192f4f604364a606a91042abdd2&start=21642&end=23336","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3256545-ca89e192f4f604364a606a91042abdd2/thumbnail_21642000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6064241/Washington/Tag-approves-cleanup-of-Appendix-A-default-assembly-tables-directs-reference-to-ASHRAE-901","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6064241-fce8a349d28559e656025410aa768139/orig.mp4?Expires=1770680677&Signature=bnKuwpuqYo99-3ff9POiUB2xKH4lLabO1HyzKQ0IsL9fNNKBbDOMABLqw00~I~vM67Iysqs5luEa4iPr9m6zcAHrCeP3XLVGxC5dBhyySMD40jQSEDqk25giKy4swVAEzNgIBQIFTLgkaDu5Y7ROLOHW8S32yJfOM3NOwrXCMUkXSsZAlg7CbZu7CXKYGwtOkQ4N8ODmfQNv9YYDk1PIK-5NUOcKHCfgjvspY0FnhTyF2kfn1tsbQ79k493omWULTMMmN-1gjmLH0~BLITHVn2Aqs4l0S3EMaxe4mAn2iTcxobjgtaYZWAwmNNwVlwf7yjZtU-Y4FJGlzF~0cb4PWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Building Code Council","date","2025-05-10T06:13:21Z","article","The tag approved a proposal to clean up Appendix A of the Washington state energy code by removing duplicate or out-of-date default assembly tables and directing users to ASHRAE 90.1 normative Appendix A (and other accepted reference sources) for the standard default U-factors and assembly references.

Background: Appendix A historically contained a mixture of Washington-specific assembly tables and a number of entries that duplicated or conflicted with ASHRAE 90.1 tables, sometimes because ASHRAE has updated tables and the state appendix had not been revised in step. Nathan Miller led a work-group review and proposed retaining only those tables that are unique to Washington or that add information not found in ASHRAE 90.1. The proposal removes redundant tables and adds a clear statement that where an assembly is not listed in Appendix A, users may rely on ASHRAE 90.1 normative Appendix A, ASHRAE fundamentals, or other accepted methods to determine U-factors; the text also kept pathways for jurisdictions to accept alternate calculations.

Why this matters: Appendix A is used by designers and plan reviewers as a convenient source of default assembly performance values when owners or designers do not model assemblies. The cleanup reduces the risk of conflicting tables and points users to a single maintained source for default assemblies, while preserving Washington-unique entries.

The tag approved the cleanup and asked staff to (1) merge the cleanup into the code text, (2) add a clear pointer to ASHRAE 90.1 normative Appendix A and ASHRAE Fundamentals where appropriate, and (3) preserve any Washington-unique assemblies that are not in 90.1. The tag also asked proponents to verify that deletion of specific legacy tables does not inadvertently remove entries used commonly by local practitioners (ACCA/manual-j users raised the issue in the meeting) and to provide a short guidance note for plan reviewers about acceptable alternate methods (ACCA/Manual-J and other recognized tools).

Speakers: Nathan Miller introduced the review and explained the rationale; jurisdiction representatives supported the cleanup but asked for a short guidance note for local reviewers. The tag approved the work-group recommendation.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","SBCC WSEC-C TAG Meeting - May 9, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The tag approved a work-group cleanup (proposed by Nathan Miller) that removes duplicated or out-of-date default assembly tables from Washington’s Appendix A and points users to ASHRAE 90.1 normative Appendix A (and related sources) for standard U-factor reference assemblies.","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},6064245,"Tag approves replacement rules for existing buildings, tightens 'in-kind' replacement exception",2039,12616000,14655000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3256545-ca89e192f4f604364a606a91042abdd2&start=12616&end=14655","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3256545-ca89e192f4f604364a606a91042abdd2/thumbnail_12616000.jpg","/articles/6064245/Washington/Tag-approves-replacement-rules-for-existing-buildings-tightens-in-kind-replacement-exception","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6064245-7bbc02982ac14cf2c8b28c06baef3596/orig.mp4?Expires=1770680677&Signature=Ns2093UMpwoIAZe9UTN~iO8~L3rdUdu2YYqN~ww5M~WQ9kacm2WifVa1~FcVdN2RiDaCEHF6t4PcPSzQ1p-XXmGl8~Moj~RwhAub5s7OtiCii8Ij5nXS6NGKF3WgwpC9ZUJGU5ZGsI1IIRWRL1XsQYQTDaHRdDh-bAXeo7KD~v0t58bdh7GQm9A01p-zI0srEq7ln6-xk1UPudTHMvujG8yE0cxbZfFayBHmMr7FynUmfCTBSzZuDDcdVGjeggOuLNU2bDIYwcM9rFarWTNNvP1C1xiK-tzJGFf5cpTJro34i7tl5WXUHyJgYS2qDiDzZon4Dr97G5Run783CDKjTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Building Code Council tag approved changes to how existing buildings must treat equipment replacements and alterations, narrowing the longstanding “in-kind forever” pathway and clarifying narrowly drawn exceptions.

The approved changes (proposal 2-67, as amended) require building owners to use the occasion of equipment failure or replacement to upgrade to higher-efficiency mechanical and service-water-heating systems unless one of several specific exemptions applies. The tag approved the motion, and the measure passed by roll call.

Key features of the approved language include:
- An end to unlimited, automatic \"replace like for like\" exceptions for space and water heating equipment; replacements must meet applicable upgraded requirements or qualify for a listed exemption.
- Specific exemptions for true emergencies (e.g., a single-piece-of-equipment failure that leaves a building without heat), situations where an electrical or utility service upgrade would be disproportionate, and where the building is served by exempt systems (steam systems, certain industrial process systems, nonprofit facility exemptions as listed). The tag retained a mechanism for temporary, limited replacements where the owner shows a plan to meet upgraded requirements within a defined period.
- Cross-references to related proposals affecting service water heating and alteration rules; the tag asked proponents to reconcile language across chapters and to coordinate with other approved items (including 2-93 and 2-70 series proposals) so that the final code text is consistent.

During debate some tag members and attendees warned of legal and practical risks. Member Greg Johnson raised concerns about potential conflict with federal standards (EPCA) and said overly strict language could tip some owners toward demolition rather than retrofit. Others, including members who represent permit jurisdictions, argued that the change encourages long-term energy goals and brings the code into alignment with the state’s energy policy objectives.

The tag voted and approved the measure. The motion (moved by Dwayne Johnlin) passed on a roll-call vote (9–4 with recorded yes/no votes). The tag instructed staff to fold the approved changes into the related service-water-heating and existing-buildings items for the public-comment package and to coordinate drafting changes to ensure consistency across chapters 4 and 5.

What the tag decided: to limit routine in-kind replacements and to require upgrades except for narrowly defined exceptions, with additional drafting and cross-checking assigned to staff and the work group.

Why it matters: For owners of existing commercial buildings, the change makes it more likely that equipment replacements will be opportunities for energy-efficiency upgrades rather than chances to maintain older-fuel systems in perpetuity. Jurisdictions will need to adopt review guidance and owners should expect more upfront code review in those replacement cases.

Speakers quoted in this article come from the meeting transcript; quotes have been attributed only where the transcript provided names and roles.

","The tag approved modified language (2-67 and related items) that limits perpetual in-kind replacements and directs exceptions for emergencies, large retrofit barriers and other narrowly defined circumstances; motion passed after roll-call.",{"_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},6064250,"Building Code Council narrows commercial energy code options, adopts Greg Johnson structure for 2-79",7012,183000,7195000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3256545-ca89e192f4f604364a606a91042abdd2&start=183&end=7195","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3256545-ca89e192f4f604364a606a91042abdd2/thumbnail_183000.jpg","/articles/6064250/Washington/Building-Code-Council-narrows-commercial-energy-code-options-adopts-Greg-Johnson-structure-for-2-79","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6064250-174966ef46615004ae54b1d0f879367d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770680677&Signature=TA3~meZU~Cp4reMD4QarfQxYwH~mjOJp09viRv3BUlj5QIw~xkvb9g4pNaoPG7MjoKekoyrne8srMnmFckn~AaQ5XkQByaGrymWklheWLboYvsORwJm75OiK1LWBl1~c80q8rJRnP9h~PkxMH336flyxbHH5Zj1e3MNwFKDvC6AVB10F6Eo5J4NNE~xExvJTrgBK0RP6qKylhUCRfm~ii2vFVTjdWkGz9AZsKnXpi71C5wcbFs-xXlu~JLtaIQpNIUM6F8gVywVAD5Av3DEeoDrPWZc-9x-dsxIK6VbDqYhi7u5ZWaoIJl9rs7L1no73PpVyEHjW5Vk3QD7YhjOk6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Building Code Council tag voted Friday to advance a structure for proposal 2-79 developed by Greg Johnson, selecting that approach over a competing structure offered by Johnny Coker and collaborators.

The tag’s action followed a lengthy technical discussion about two alternative ways to restructure the commercial energy code’s compliance path for heating, service water heating and efficiency credits. The chosen approach consolidates credits into a single C406 table with interactive-effect math for mixed heating systems and a single equation for heating credits; the tag asked PNNL to complete modeling to populate the credit values.

The vote came after proponents and a work group spent months drafting parallel approaches. Greg Johnson described his version as a tabular, credit-based structure that captures interactive effects between lighting, envelope and mechanical measures and scales requirements by occupancy and climate zone. “The goal was to make the code much simpler for the code user while increasing accuracy,” Johnson told the tag, noting the approach relies on lookup tables and spreadsheet tools for permit reviewers and designers.

Proponents of the alternative structure — described as closer to the 2021 code’s mechanics and advanced by Johnny Coker — said their format would feel familiar to code users and to jurisdictions that have already implemented similar equations. Coker said his version kept existing equations but reorganized the fossil-fuel pathway into C406; he later withdrew one closely related draft in favor of a different proposal (see related actions).

Several tag members and jurisdictional reviewers said Greg’s tables appeared easier for plan reviewers and permit applicants to use, especially for mixed-system buildings. Jurisdiction representatives said they wanted an enforcement-friendly approach and a transparent spreadsheet tool to validate calculations.

The tag approved a motion to adopt Johnson’s structure for proposal 2-79 and to disapprove the competing Johnson/Coker branch that had been presented that morning. The motion was moved by Dwayne Johnlin and seconded by Marcus Verta; a roll-call vote followed and the motion passed.

The tag directed the 2-79 work group and PNNL (the Department of Energy Pacific Northwest National Laboratory modeling team) to: (1) complete and publish the spreadsheet/calculator used to derive credit values; (2) finalize interactive-effect denominators/adjustment factors; (3) provide modeling that shows the credit equivalencies PNNL will use to populate the new C406 tables and demonstrate compliance with any statutory constraints; and (4) reconcile TSPR/TSPR-like measures and fan/economizer interactions in the final table set. The tag also flagged an unresolved issue about how to treat primary service water heating capacity language so the proposal aligns with EPCA/RCW compliance and recommended the work group resolve the drafting point before the next tag meeting.

What the tag did: selected a single structure for 2-79 (Greg Johnson’s tabular-interactive approach), asked PNNL and the work group to finish modeling and publish a spreadsheet tool, and returned competing drafts as disapproved. The tag left open several drafting items — notably final wording on primary service-water-heating capacity and how TSPR measures coexist with the new tables — for subsequent work-group refinement.

Why it matters: The chosen structure changes how commercial buildings earn efficiency credits for mixed heating systems and is intended to simplify permit review while capturing realistic interactive savings across lighting, envelope and HVAC measures. The tag’s decision will shape the final C406 credit tables and the public comment package the council reviews in the coming weeks.

Details and next steps: PNNL staff said they had bandwidth to run the modeling if funding and scope were confirmed; the tag asked proponents to submit modeling requirements and asked the work group to produce a draft spreadsheet that stakeholders can test before the council’s public comment stage. The tag will review updated material at the next meeting and the MVPEC/public-comment milestone.

Speakers quoted in this article are limited to the meeting transcript and include the chair and proponents; all other remarks are summarized without attribution.

","After an hourlong debate, the Building Code Council’s tag voted to advance a structure developed by Greg Johnson for proposal 2-79, asking PNNL and the work group to refine credit tables and modeling.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Tag approves cleanup of Appendix A default-assembly tables, directs reference to ASHRAE 90.1

Tag approves replacement rules for existing buildings, tightens 'in-kind' replacement exception

Building Code Council narrows commercial energy code options, adopts Greg Johnson structure for 2-79