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Posts categorized under June 2023 - Building Connections

Archives for June 2023

Seattle Code Implementation Delay

June 1, 2023

On May 24, 2023, the State Building Code Council (SBCC) held a special meeting to discuss the 9th Circuit that found the City of Berkley’s Energy Code violated federal preemption over state rules and a new lawsuit against the State Codes for a similar violation. In the new lawsuit, several organizations are seeking to prevent enforcement of the Washington State Energy Code’s ban on natural gas appliances that are regulated under the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA).  The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington. 

Filed Under: Building Connections, CodesTagged With:

Fixing the Bricks: Upcoming Presentations of Proposed Minimum Seismic Standards for Unreinforced Masonry Buildings

June 1, 2023

After several years of collaborating with seismologists, geologists, and geotechnical and structural engineers, the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) is sharing its draft Unreinforced Masonry (URM) Technical Standard. This document is the first step in establishing minimum seismic standards for the earthquake retrofit of Seattle’s 1,100 vintage brick buildings which are prone to collapse in an earthquake due to lack of structural reinforcements. In 2021, an effort spearheaded by the Alliance for Safety, Affordability, and Preservation (ASAP!) and Councilmember Herbold resulted in the passing of Joint Resolution 32033. That resolution declared the intent of City Council and the Mayor to establish a mandatory retrofit program and directed SDCI to develop a retrofit standard. While a mandatory ordinance is still a few years away, this Technical Standard will serve as a voluntary option for URM owners wanting to retrofit their building. This Technical Standard will be used to develop a future mandatory retrofit ordinance. 

Filed Under: Building Connections, CodesTagged With: ,

Consolidated Billing for Annual Inspections Can Save You Hours of Processing Time!

June 1, 2023

SDCI has simplified the way we bill customers for annual equipment inspections. Starting May 11, 2023, billing for annual inspections is consolidated by site—meaning customers will now receive one email and invoice for all inspections performed at their property. If you manage equipment in Seattle such as elevators, boilers, or pressure vessels, you will find that the new process provides everything you need up front that’s needed to make a payment. You no longer need to navigate through multiple emails and webpages.

Filed Under: Building Connections

Residential Mechanical Equipment Noise Overview

June 1, 2023

SDCI’s noise abatement group conducts inspections and noise advisory reviews for almost all residential side-yard mechanical installations. In a typical Neighborhood Residential zone, the Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) requires an overnight sound level limit of 45 dBA (decibels) at the property line during the overnight hours. Overnight hours are defined in SMC 25.08 as 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. weekdays and 10:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. weekends and legal holidays. Legal holidays are New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. The 45 dBA standard is fairly restrictive because the City of Seattle makes resident’s ability to sleep and relax a major priority.

Filed Under: Building Connections

May Publication Updates

June 1, 2023

We updated a Tip on the tree service provider registry and published a final Director’s Rule on relocation assistance payments.

Filed Under: Building Connections