Bill > HB2151

This bill updates Washington state law regarding factory-built housing and commercial structures, which are buildings or parts of buildings substantially assembled off-site before being installed at their final location. The key changes involve adopting national consensus standards, specifically those published by the International Code Council, Inc., for the planning, design, fabrication, assembly, inspection, and regulatory compliance of these structures. The bill also clarifies that the Department of Labor and Industries (the "Department") can approve qualified inspection agencies, which are independent entities that must be objective and competent, to perform inspections. Additionally, it exempts prefabricated enclosures for energy storage systems or electrical equipment owned and controlled by an electric utility from requiring Department approval, provided their access is limited to qualified personnel for maintenance and repair. The bill also amends existing references to building codes, now specifying the "international" building, plumbing, and mechanical codes, alongside the "uniform" plumbing code, to align with national standards.