The draft 2012 Seattle Building Code is available for public review and comment. It consists of the 2012 International Building Code (IBC) with proposed amendments. DPD is planning for the 2012 Seattle Building Code to take effect in the summer of 2013.
The Construction Codes Advisory Board (CCAB) will begin discussion of the draft code on March 1, 2012 and will continue to meet twice per month until code review is complete. The public is invited to attend and participate in CCAB meetings.
While there are many changes in the Seattle amendments, the more significant changes are found in the 2012 International Building Code. Significant IBC changes include:
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High-rise buildings over 120 feet in height that have more than one elevator will be required to have two fire service access elevators instead of one.
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Chapter 10, Means of Egress, has been significantly revised, mainly to coordinate the provisions for unenclosed interior stairways and ramps that are used as a portion of the means of egress.
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Floor-level exit signs will be required in areas serving guest rooms in hotels and other transient residential occupancies.
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Code provisions for wind resistance and fire protection of photovoltaic roofing systems are added.
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Type B accessible dwelling units will be required to be added to existing buildings when there is either a change of occupancy or if there is an alteration that affects more than 50 percent of the building.
If you would like to a copy of the draft code, or if you would like to comment on it, please contact:
Maureen Traxler
Dept. of Planning & Development
700 Fifth Ave, Suite 2000
PO Box 34019
Seattle, WA 98124-4019
maureen.traxler@seattle.gov
We may not be able to respond to individual comments, but we will take all comments into consideration.
If you would like to receive notice of future code activity, you may sign up for our email list by following this link www.seattle.gov/DPD/Codes/Technical_Codes/
Subscribe_to_Our_Mailing_List/DPD_001990.asp.