HomeMy WebLinkAboutStatement of Intent - BLD Letters / Memos Apr . 4, 2002' 12 ,54PV" `T BAILEY X 260 293-3M No.7078 P. 2/2
AM Washington Association of Building OMcials
Statement orIntent
Washington A81110 iation of Tide: Alternate Materials and Methods of Construction
Building Officials
FO Box 7310 Purpose:
Olympia,WA 99507-7310 P
(360)3$6.67Z5 • To promote uniformity and consistency in the use of alternate
T,a Free(888)W-9515 materials, alternate design and methods of construction,
Fox(360)586.5538
E-Mail: wdta+*wabo.org a To encourage consideration of the latest developments and
www.wabo.c4's technologies in building construction,
doh 1F.r;C&o. • To urge local building officials and design professiorws to properly
City of aPPIY the provisions for such alternates in the current code,
I•vice Pmwiim
14ocity o rd l Sit yea , • To encourage the use of the most current methods available to the
Cily of Uoivordty t•Ieuo
2"Vice NgsWonj construction industry to promote the health, safety and welfare of the
Cory A.WaWi!4 QUA citizens of our State,and
Skagit County
P*t INSWottt • To encourage the use of the code staad4rd3 contained within the i
City f Po you International Codes as roved alternate methods
city oP'IStoolau �p Odr of construction. ,
C91116eetton A ftli vwkm
commilm Chair Background.,
Gary L,Monk
City 9f HoNwile
r►oe�,klol c�tw � WABO recognizes that the cxurently adopted codes in the Stato of
cominitlb owe Washington are based on codes developed through code o processes that
mug It.mopt �c,p.o, occurred several a e
City ofyoll years ago.. As such,those currently adopted codes do not
t:onitnunbntloue t�Ielniltme necessarily consider the newest technology,scientific information or design
t:W1 methods available.
Dodd iK,twtupswuo,C.B.O.
C{ty of Spokuty
Govornmont Rahtlenx This proviaions of the codex in the State Of' 4&Wngton are not intended to
co"Imklee Oh* prevent the use of any material, alternate desip or method of construction not
City of a A. C a.t). specifically prescribed b the
City of 9ollevos �G Y p Y adopted fie,provided the proposed alternate
otutwuh Ctxmnhloe Chair has been approved and its use authorized by the local building official, This
Prato W.numb,ciao. long standing provision in the codes recognizes that due to the ongoing
City of>00W$hent innovation in products,construction techniques and design concepts, a single
Finanma CommitteeCbair f code document cannot properly coverall of the alternatives that may exist
it OfI%r
City
of IIMercu today and in the future, It is therefore essential that the building official
C
Education ImIkute(Council) uacerclse the luthotity given to liar or him consider such proposed alternates.
chatr The building official is authorized within the currently adopted family of
11hr M.Dorasp,CAJM Y
City oMen wacr Codes to rlavlow and mlay approve any proposed alternate provided that the
FrYtCLtjVe Diwor proposed design comlplia with the provisions of the code. The codes give
•Terry L,crnbi,l guidance to the building officlal In the comideration of proposed alternates.
The building official must require,and the deaigu professional must submit,in
AdmiTiMened By the proposal of are alumat% "sufficient evidence or proof to substantiate any
Orsanizotion blarnswent,rnr.. claims that may be ardin its use and that it is at least the equivalent tQ
(Olympia,wuhingtoh)
1 '
Apr . 4. 2002' 12 :55PM T BAfLEY INC 0,60 293-3893 N o.7 0 7 8 p 3/3
those prescribed in code."To properly analyze whether a proposed alternate meets the intent of
the prescribed codes and provides an equivalcnt level of life safety, structural integrity,
effectiveness,fire resistance, durability, and unitation,the proposal must be judged against the
newest standards available to the design and construction industry. It is the position of WABO
that the International Codes promulgated by the International Codes Council represents the most
technologically advanced national standard for construction safety, Tbea4 new codes, currently
being reviewed for adoption in Washington State, should be considered by the building of Gal
as basis for equivalent alternatives in making decisions on alternate means and methods of
constnxtlon '
Any decision to approve an alternate method of construction,material or design is unique to-the
jurisdiction approving the proposed alternate. Such approval should not be construed as
approval in any other jurisdiction, or be applicable to a differa t project.Further, it should be
noted that the International Codes are a coordinated family of codes and care should be taken in
applying the provisions of these codes. Consideration must also be given to State and local
amendments and related provisions in the other codes.
It is incumbent that the applicant and building official work closely together to identify all of the
related elements of a proposal consistent with that document that is the basis of the proposal. For
example,if a provision fl om the International Building Code is submitted as an alternate, all!of
the related IntMAtional Codes must be reviewed and considered in a systemic apprrouh.
Policy Statement:
WABO enooura es building officials to consider the information contained within the
E S
International Codes as an alternate to those provisions in the currently adopted codes.Use of the
most current standards will promote uniformity between jurisdictions, .Funkier,the use of these
methods for considering alternates uniformly throughout the State of Washington will enhance
the development of cost efficient structures and will help develop a better relationship between
design professionals,local jurisdictions and associated industry partners
Approval: Approved by the WABO Membership at the Winter Quarterly Meeting held in Fife,
WA,on January 12, 2001.
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