| INTRODUCTION
The 5th edition of the Builder's Field Guide outlines acceptable construction practices that meet the 2001 Washington State Energy Code Second Edition (WSEC) and the 2000 Washington Stat e Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality (VIAQ) Code.
The current edition of the WSEC was adopted effective January 1, 2003; the current edition of the VIAQ Code was adopted effective July 1, 2001. The Codes apply to all building jurisdictions in the State for residential construction. For Non-residential construction, the code applies everywhere in the state, except Seattle and Tacoma, where municipal versions of the cod e have been adopted.
The Builder's Field Guide covers only residential practices and requirements. A similar guide for non-residential buildings is available from the Northwest Energy Efficiency Council. http ://www.neec.net.
In an effort to provide broad access to this Guide, and to reduce paper consumption, the Guide is available on-line. The on-line version of the Guide is provided to the public free of charge, and all users may print out copies as necessary. You may also want to consider downloading the electronic versions of the WSEC and VIAQ, also available on-line. The Builder's Field Guide, the WSEC and the VIAQ can be downloaded from: http ://www.energy.wsu.edu/buildings/
Code Review Process
These codes, and all Washington State Building Codes, are developed by the Washington State Building Code Council (SBCC). The SBCC oversees a public process that reviews all codes. The building community, utilities, local government, and state agencies participate in the public process through technical advisory groups organized around each code. Through this process th e WSEC was updated in 1994, 1997, 2001 and 2002
If you are interested in participating in the next code review process, please contact the SBCC at (360) 725-2966 or via e-mail at sbcc@cted.wa.gov.
While the practices included in this Guide are generally acceptable for Code compliance, your local building official has the final say as to what meets code in specific applications. Alternative practices not illustrated may be acceptable, but must be approved by the local jurisdiction. The illustrations contained in this Guide reflect Code requirements. Occasionally, however, recommended practices that go beyond Code requirements are included. The "good practices" are labeled as such and should not be construed as Code requirements . | 