The Washington State Building Code Council is seeking public comments through Oct. 23 as it conducts rulemaking to update the state building code.

Building codes ensure structures are built and maintained to help withstand earthquakes and prevent the spread of fire, are accessible, meet life safety requirements, and are energy efficient.

Codes specify minimum requirements to help safeguard the health, safety and welfare of building occupants to help reduce the risk of personal injuries, deaths and property damage. The council adopts statewide building codes and Washington's 39 counties and 266 incorporated cities enforce them.

Proposed rules

The proposed rules include adopting:

• The 2015 International Building Code - fire, mechanical and residential codes.
• The Uniform Plumbing Code.
• The 2015 International Energy Conservation Code, with state amendments known as the Washington State Energy Code.

On July 1, the council put emergency rules in place that amended the state fire code to allow local fire departments to issue permits for marijuana processing and extraction facilities. The council is also accepting comments on these rules during the 2015 rulemaking cycle. The emergency rules could be modified based on public comment.

All of the proposed rules are available on the council's rulemaking web page.

Public hearings

The council has scheduled two public hearings for the proposed rule updates:

• Sept. 11, Spokane: 10 a.m. at the Spokane Fire Department Training Center, 1618 N. Rebecca St.
• Oct. 16, Olympia: 10 a.m. at the Washington Department of Enterprise Services, 1500 Jefferson St. S.E.

Both verbal and written testimony will be accepted at the public hearings.

Submit comments

Comments also may be submitted seven days a week via links on the rulemaking web page, through email or mailed to:

Quick facts about the Washington State Building Code Council

• The council is part of the state Department of Enterprise Services.
• The council reviews and adopts new editions of national model codes – published every three years – and implements current legislative energy policy guidance.
• The council reviews and adopts code changes requested by groups in Washington.
• The council provides technical assistance and written interpretations to Washington cities and counties.

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