Laws and rules pertaining to boilers, water heaters, and unfired pressure vessels can be found in the following:
- Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Chapter 296-104.
- Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Chapter 70.79.
The laws and rules are maintained and updated by the State Office of the Code Reviser.
Download our Boilers and Unfired Pressure Vessel Laws Book (updated July 2024).
Rule development
2024 rulemaking
The Board of Boiler Rules and the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) are considering an increase in program fees and clarifying the definition for pool heaters.
The changes for consideration would increase fees by the fiscal growth factor to cover increased operating expenses for the Boiler Program. The preliminary fiscal growth factor is 6.20%. This is the Office of Financial Management’s preliminary fiscal growth factor for fiscal year 2026.
The changes for consideration would also amend the definition of “pool heaters” to clarify inspection requirements.
If adopted, the rule amendments would take effect July 1, 2025.
Rulemaking documents
Here’s what happens next:
- January 2, 2025: The proposed rules (CR-102) are expected to be filed with the state’s Office of the Code Reviser.
- February 2025: A public hearing on the proposed rules is tentatively scheduled.
- April 2025: The final rules (CR-103) are expected to be filed with the state’s Office of the Code Reviser.
- July 1, 2025: The new rules are expected to take effect.