AIA/WA Testifies About Mandated Solar Hot Water Heating

AIA/WA Executive Director, Stan Bowman, testified before the House Local Government and Housing Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 21.

The AIA/WA was there to testify on House Bill 1187. The bill would have required the instillation of solar hot water heater systems in single-family dwellings.

The AIAWA testified to the benefits of using this technology and in support of its use in homes. However, the AIAWA noted that legislation should not mandate that one type of technology over another and should focus on a comprehensive remedy to energy consumption.

Click here to see the testimony given on House Bill 1187.

Residential Fire Sprinkler Report Released

Today, member John Neff, AIA, testified before the House Local Government Committee about the results of a year-long study of barriers to installing residential fire sprinkler systems. The Committee was interested in why standards and rates vary across the state.

Neff reported that the State Building Code Council created a Technical Advisory Group (TAG) of nearly 30 people. The TAG was composed of representives for architecture, water systems, insurance, building inspections and other affected groups. While the TAG looked at many issues, but focused on the cost of supplying water to residential fire suppression systems, liability concerns and water efficiency.

Fire sprinkler systems require larger water meters. Large meters are less efficient at tracking water usage under normal residential conditions; which results in uncharged water usage and funds lost to the purveyor. Also, larger meters can lead to increased water use due to the installation of additional water using systems, such as lawn and garden irrigation.

Liability is a concern for water purveyors who may need to shut off water for routine maintenance or unpaid bills. If there is a fire and water service is interrupted to the sprinkler system at that time, then water purveyors are concerned about being liable for damages.

Finally, regarding the cost of systems and water hook up; the report found that system prices vary because some jurisdictions have a preferred or required system that must be installed and required special inspectors.

The full report is located on the State Building Code Council’s website along with background information. The Committee is expected to draft legislation for consideration later this year.

Hearing Held on Sustainability

One of the first issues taken up by the new legislature is sustainable design. Today, the Senate Environment Water & Energy Committee held a hearing on how the state’s public universities are implementing sustainable design on their campuses.

The hearing provided important information on what practices are in place now. This information provides a background for lawmakers prior to the introduction of new sustainable design legislation.

The AIAWA is working with a coalition of organizations to draft and introduce legislation promoting more sustainable design and construction practices for public and private sector buildings.

Representatives from these universities testified: University of Washington, Western Washington University, Evergreen State College, Central Washington University and Washington State University.

Architects Volunteer for Disaster Relief but More is Needed

There has been an outpouring of support from State architects regarding a call for volunteers to aid in disaster relief. But more is needed!

Responding to the growing number of counties that experienced severe flooding across Western Washington, the AIA Washington Council sent out a request for help to do building assessments right away, as early as Monday Jan. 12. Architects responded enthusiastically!

Already the AIA Washington Council has over fifty volunteers who have responded and are willing to pitch in. In response to the large amount of willing disaster relief participants the AIA Washington Council has set up training to make use of every available person.

However, help is still needed. Many people in homes across Western Washington will still be dealing with extremely cold water and damages to their homes, and even the loss of homes.

If you would like to volunteer please attend the training on Sunday morning at 8:30am-11:30am AIA Seattle located downtown on First Avenue between Virginia and Stewart (address: 1911 First Avenue, Seattle, 98101).

Rachel Minnery is helping the AIA Washington Council lead disaster relief efforts you have questions you can contact her at rminnery@gmail.com or 206-280-6685 for specific questions.

You can also click here to email the AIA Washington Council if you can participate on Sunday.

Thank you to all our volunteers for your support!