PROPOSED RULES
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 08-14-041.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Amendment of chapter 51-51 WAC, further amendment of the 2006 Edition of the International Residential Code (IRC).
Hearing Location(s): Holiday Inn Select Renton, One Grady Way South, Renton, WA, on October 10, 2008, at 10:00 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: November 14, 2008.
Submit Written Comments to: John Neff, Council Chair, P.O. Box 42525, Olympia, WA 98504-2525, e-mail sbcc@cted.wa.gov, fax (360) 586-9383, by October 10, 2008.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Sue Mathers by October 3, 2008, TTY (360) 586-0772 or (360) 725-2966.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The state building code council is considering rules (1) allowing unvented attic assemblies, (2) revisions to safety requirements for adult family homes, and (3) clarifications to fire separation requirements. The requirements for unvented attic assemblies are found in Section R806.4, and a new definition for air-impermeable insulation is added. The proposed amendments to Section R325 for adult family homes includes handrail requirements for ramps (R325.9) and stairs (R325.10), grab bar specifications (with options of extracting the text or referencing the standard) (R325.8), and requirements for locking devices (R325.4).
Reasons Supporting Proposal: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074.
Statute Being Implemented: Chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Agency Comments or Recommendations, if any, as to Statutory Language, Implementation, Enforcement, and Fiscal Matters: The council is seeking comments on the issues proposed in the rules shown below.
Name of Proponent: Washington state building code council, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Tim Nogler, P.O. Box 42525, Olympia, WA 98504-2525, (360) 725-2969; and Enforcement: Local jurisdictions.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. No disproportionate economic impact on small business was identified.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. The state building code council is not listed in this section as one of the agencies required to comply with this statute.
August 19, 2008
John P. Neff
Council Chair
OTS-1815.2
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 08-01-102, filed 12/18/07,
effective 4/1/08)
WAC 51-51-0202
Section R202 -- Definitions.
ADULT FAMILY HOME means a dwelling in which a person or persons
provide personal care, special care, room and board to more
than one but not more than six adults who are not related by
blood or marriage to the person or persons providing the
services.
AIR-IMPERMEABLE INSULATION. An insulation having an air permeance
equal to or less than 0.02 L/s-m2 at 75 Pa pressure
differential tested in accordance with ASTM E2178 or ASTM
E283.
BALCONY, EXTERIOR. Definition is not adopted.
CHILD DAY CARE, shall, for the purposes of these regulations,
mean the care of children during any period of a 24 hour day.
CHILD DAY CARE HOME, FAMILY is a child day care facility, licensed
by the state, located in the dwelling of the person or persons
under whose direct care and supervision the child is placed,
for the care of twelve or fewer children, including children
who reside at the home.
DECK. Definition is not adopted.
DWELLING UNIT. A single unit providing complete independent
living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent
provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and
sanitation. Dwelling units may also include the following
uses:
1. Adult family homes, foster family care homes and family day care homes licensed by the Washington state department of social and health services.
2. Offices, mercantile, food preparation for off-site consumption, personal care salons or similar uses which are conducted primarily by the occupants of the dwelling unit and are secondary to the use of the unit for dwelling purposes, and which do not exceed 500 square feet (46.4m2).
FIRE SEPARATION DISTANCE. The distance measured from the
foundation wall or face of the wall framing, whichever is
closer, to one of the following:
1. To the closest interior lot line; or
2. To the centerline of a street, an alley or public way; or
3. To an imaginary line between two buildings on the lot.
The distance shall be measured at a right angle from the wall.
SMALL BUSINESS. Any business entity (including a sole
proprietorship, corporation, partnership or other legal
entity) which is owned and operated independently from all
other businesses, which has the purpose of making a profit,
and which has fifty or fewer employees, or which has a million
dollars or less per year in gross sales, of window products.
UNUSUALLY TIGHT CONSTRUCTION. Construction meeting the following
requirements:
1. Walls exposed to the outside atmosphere having a continuous water vapor retarder with a rating of 1 perm (57 ng/s·m˛·Pa) or less with openings gasketed or sealed;
2. Openable windows and doors meeting the air leakage requirements of the International Energy Conservation Code, Section 502.1.4; and
3. Caulking or sealants are applied to areas such as joints around window and door frames, between sole plates and floors, between wall-ceiling joints, between wall panels, at penetrations for plumbing, electrical and gas lines, and at other openings; or
4. Buildings built in compliance with the 1986 or later editions of the Washington State Energy Code chapter 51-11 WAC, Northwest Energy Code, or Super Good Cents weatherization standards or equivalent.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.190, 19.27.020, and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. 08-01-102, § 51-51-0202, filed 12/18/07, effective 4/1/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.020, and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. 07-01-090, § 51-51-0202, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. 04-01-109, § 51-51-0202, filed 12/17/03, effective 7/1/04.]
R302.1 Exterior walls. Exterior walls with a fire separation
distance ((less than)) of 3 feet (914 mm) or less shall have
not less than a one-hour fire-resistive rating with exposure
from both sides. Projections shall not extend to a point
closer than 2 feet (610 mm) from the line used to determine
the fire separation distance.
| EXCEPTION: | Detached garages accessory to a dwelling located within 2 feet of a lot line may have roof eave projections not exceeding 4 inches. |
| EXCEPTIONS: | 1. Tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar structures exempted from permits by Section R105.2 are not required to provide wall protection based on location on the lot. Projections beyond the exterior wall shall not extend over the lot line. |
| 2. Eave projections into the fire separation distance do not require one-hour fire-resistive construction where no openings are provided in the eaves, including openings for ventilation. |
| EXCEPTIONS: | 1. Openings shall be permitted in walls that are perpendicular to the line used to determine the fire separation distance. |
| 2. Foundation vents installed in compliance with this code are permitted. |
| EXCEPTION: | Penetrations shall be permitted in walls that are perpendicular to the line used to determine the fire separation distance. |
[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.190, 19.27.020, and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. 08-01-102, § 51-51-0302, filed 12/18/07, effective 4/1/08.]
ADULT FAMILY HOMES
R325.2 Submittal Standards. In addition to those requirements
in Section 106.1, the submittal shall identify the project as
a Group R-3 Adult Family Home Occupancy. A floor plan shall
be submitted identifying the means of egress and the
components in the means of egress such as stairs, ramps,
platform lifts and elevators. The plans shall indicate the
rooms used for clients and the sleeping room classification of
each room.
R325.3 Sleeping Room Classification. Each sleeping room in an
adult family home shall be classified as:
1. Type S - where the means of egress contains stairs, elevators or platform lifts.
2. Type NS1 - where one means of egress is at grade level
or a ramp constructed in accordance with ((R311.6)) R325.9 is
provided.
3. Type NS2 - where two means of egress are at grade
level or ramps constructed in accordance with ((R311.6))
R325.9 are provided.
R325.4 Types of Locking Devices. All bedroom and bathroom
doors shall be openable from the outside when locked.
Every closet shall be readily openable from the inside.
Operable parts of door handles, pulls, latches, locks and other devices installed in adult family homes shall be operable with one hand and shall not require tight grasping, pinching or twisting of the wrist. The force required to activate operable parts shall be 5.0 pounds (22.2 N) maximum. Exit doors shall have no additional locking devices.
R325.5 Smoke Alarm Requirements. All adult family homes shall
be equipped with smoke alarms installed as required in Section
R313. Alarms shall be installed in such a manner so that the
fire warning may be audible in all parts of the dwelling upon
activation of a single device.
R325.6 Escape Windows and Doors. Every sleeping room shall be
provided with emergency escape and rescue windows as required
by Section R310. No alternatives to the sill height such as
steps, raised platforms or other devices placed by the
openings will be approved as meeting this requirement.
R325.7 Fire Apparatus Access Roads and Water Supply for Fire
Protection. Adult family homes shall be served by fire
apparatus access roads and water supplies meeting the
requirements of the local jurisdiction.
Option 1 R325.8
R325.8 Grab Bars. Grab bars shall be installed for all water
closets and bathtubs and showers. The grab bars shall comply
with ICC/ANSI A117.1 Sections 604.5 and 607.4 and 608.3.
| EXCEPTION: | Grab bars are not required for water closets and bathtubs and showers used exclusively by staff of the adult family home. |
R325.8 Grab Bars. Grab bars shall be installed to assist the
occupants of adult family homes in accordance with this
section.
R325.8.1 General. Grab bars for all water closets and
bathtubs and showers shall comply with Section R325.8.
| EXCEPTION: | Grab bars are not required for water closets and bathtubs and showers used exclusively by staff of the adult family home. |
R325.8.2.1 Circular Cross Section. Grab bars with a circular
cross section shall have an outside diameter of 1-1/4 inch (32
mm) minimum and 2 inches (51 mm) maximum.
R325.8.2.2 Noncircular Cross Section. Grab bars with a
noncircular cross section shall have a cross section dimension
of 2 inches (51 mm) maximum, and a perimeter dimension of 4
inches (102 mm) minimum and 4.8 inches (122 mm) maximum.
R325.8.3 Spacing. The space between the wall and the grab bar
shall be 1-1/2 inches (38 mm). The space between the grab bar
and projecting objects below and at the ends of the grab bar
shall be 1-1/2 inches (38 mm) minimum. The space between the
grab bar and projecting objects above the grab bar shall be 12
inches (305 mm) minimum.
| EXCEPTION: | The space between the grab bars and shower controls, shower fittings, and other grab bars above the grab bar shall be permitted to be 1-1/2 inches (38 mm) minimum. |
R325.8.4.1 Water Closet Fixed Side Wall Grab Bars. Horizontal
fixed side wall grab bars for water closets shall be 42 inches
(1065 mm) minimum in length, located 12 inches (305 mm)
maximum from the rear wall and extending 54 inches (1370 mm)
minimum from the rear wall. In addition, a vertical grab bar
18 inches (455 mm) minimum in length shall be mounted with the
bottom of the bar located between 39 inches (990 mm) and 41
inches (1040 mm) above the floor, and with the center line of
the bar located between 39 inches (990 mm) and 41 inches (1040
mm) from the rear wall.
R325.8.4.2 Water Closet Rear Wall Grab Bar. The rear wall
grab bar shall be horizontal and 36 inches (915 mm) minimum in
length, and extend from the centerline of the water closet 12
inches (305 mm) minimum on the side closest to the wall, and
24 inches (610 mm) minimum on the transfer side.
R325.8.4.3 Bathtub Horizontal Grab Bar. A horizontal grab bar
24 inches (610 mm) minimum in length shall be provided on the
control end wall beginning near the front edge of the bath tub
and extend toward the inside corner of the bath tub.
R325.8.4.4 Bathtub Vertical Grab Bar. A vertical grab bar 18
inches (455 mm) minimum in length shall be provided on the
control end wall 3 inches (76 mm) minimum to 6 inches (150 mm)
maximum above the horizontal grab bar, and 4 inches (102 mm)
maximum inward from the front edge of the bath tub.
R325.8.4.5 Shower Horizontal Grab Bars. Horizontal grab bars
for showers shall be provided across the control wall and on
the back wall to a point 18 inches (455 mm) from the control
wall.
R325.8.4.6 Shower Vertical Grab Bar. A vertical grab bar for
showers 18 inches (455 mm) minimum in length shall be provided
on the control end wall 3 inches (75 mm) minimum to 6 inches
(150 mm) maximum above the horizontal grab bar, and 4 inches
(100 mm) maximum inward from the edge of the shower.
R325.8.4.7 Shower Grab Bar Configuration. Grab bars complying
with Sections R325.8.4.5 and R325.8.4.6 shall be permitted to
be separate bars, a single piece bar, or combination thereof.
R325.8.5 Surface Hazards. Grab bars, and any wall or other
surfaces adjacent to grab bars, shall be free of sharp or
abrasive elements. Edges shall be rounded.
R325.8.6 Fittings. Grab bars shall not rotate within their
fittings.
R325.8.7 Installation. Grab bars shall be installed in any
manner that provides a gripping surface at the locations
specified in this standard and does not obstruct the clear
floor space.
R325.8.8 Structural Strength. Allowable stresses shall not be
exceeded for materials used where a vertical or horizontal
force of 250 pounds (1112 N) is applied at any point on the
grab bar, fastener mounting device, or supporting structure.
R325.9 Ramps. All interior and exterior ramps, when provided,
shall be constructed in accordance with Section R311.6 with a
maximum slope of 1 vertical to 12 horizontal. The exception
to R311.6.1 is not allowed for adult family homes. Handrails
shall be installed in accordance with R325.9.1.
R325.9.1 Handrails for Ramps. Handrails shall be installed on
both sides of ramps between the slope of 1 vertical to 12
horizontal and 1 vertical and 20 horizontal in accordance with
R311.6.3.1 through R311.6.3.3.
R325.10 Stair Treads and Risers. Stair treads and risers
shall be constructed in accordance with R311.5.3.2. Handrails
shall be installed in accordance with R325.10.1.
R325.10.1 Handrails for Treads and Risers. Handrails shall be
installed on both sides of treads and risers numbering from
one riser to multiple risers. Handrails shall be installed in
accordance with R311.5.6.1 through R311.5.6.3.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.020, and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. 07-01-090, § 51-51-0325, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. 04-01-109, § 51-51-0325, filed 12/17/03, effective 7/1/04.]
R806.4 ((Conditioned)) Unvented attic assemblies. ((This
section is not adopted.)) Unvented attic assemblies (spaces
between the ceiling joists of the top story and the roof
rafters) shall be permitted if all of the following conditions
are met:
1. The unvented attic space is completely contained within the building thermal envelope.
2. No interior vapor retarders are installed on the ceiling side (attic floor) of the unvented attic assembly.
3. Where wood shingles or shakes are used, a minimum 1/4 inch (6 mm) vented air space separates the shingles or shakes and the roofing underlayment above the structural sheathing.
4. Any air-impermeable insulation shall be a vapor retarder, or shall have a vapor retarder coating or covering in direct contact with the underside of the insulation.
5. Either items a, b or c below shall be met, depending on the air permeability of the insulation directly under the structural roof sheathing.
a. Air-impermeable insulation only. Insulation shall be applied in direct contact to the underside of the structural roof sheathing.
b. Air-permeable insulation only. In addition to the air-permeable insulation installed directly below the structural sheathing, rigid board or sheet insulation shall be installed directly above the structural roof sheathing as specified per WA Climate Zone for condensation control.
i. Climate Zone #1 - R-10 minimum rigid board or air-impermeable insulation R-value.
ii. Climate Zone #2 - R-25 minimum rigid board or air-impermeable insulation R-value.
c. Air-impermeable and air-permeable insulation. The air-impermeable insulation shall be applied in direct contact to the underside of the structural roof sheathing as specified per WA Climate Zone for condensation control. The air-permeable insulation shall be installed directly under the air-impermeable insulation.
i. Climate Zone #1 - R-10 minimum rigid board or air-impermeable insulation R-value.
ii. Climate Zone #2 - R-25 minimum rigid board or air-impermeable insulation R-value.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.020, and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. 07-01-090, § 51-51-0806, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07.]