PROPOSED RULES
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 04-13-074.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Amendment of chapter 51-54 WAC, Adoption and amendment of the 2003 International Fire Code.
Hearing Location(s): Renton Holiday Inn Select, One South Grady Way, Renton, WA, 98055-2500, on October 15, 2004, at 10:00 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: November 12, 2004.
Submit Written Comments to: Stan Price, Chair, Washington State Building Code Council, P.O. Box 42525, Olympia, WA 98504-2525, e-mail sbcc@cted.wa.gov, fax (360) 586-9383, by October 15, 2004.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Sue Mathers by October 1, 2004, TTY (360) 753-7427 or (360) 725-2967.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The proposed changes amend the 2003 edition of the International Fire Code. The specific changes: Delete requirements regulating gas and charcoal grills on balconies and decks; revise provisions for evacuation plans to require them as requested by the authority having jurisdiction instead of for all buildings; amend requirements for display of cut trees to allow them in additional occupancy classifications; amend the phrase "spray spaces" to "spray areas" since that is the defined term; and to provide requirements for marinas as per the previous code.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 19.27.074 and 19.27.031.
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 rules shown below.
Name of Proponent: Washington State Building Code Council, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Krista Braaksma, P.O. Box 42525, Olympia, WA 98504-2525, (360) 725-2964; and Enforcement: Local jurisdictions.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. None of the proposed changes were identified as having an impact on small business.
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 regulation.
August 6, 2004
Tim Nogler
for Stan Price
Council Chair
OTS-7223.3
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 04-01-105, filed 12/17/03,
effective 7/1/04)
WAC 51-54-0300
Chapter 3 -- General precautions against
fire.
307.2.1 Authorization. Where required by state or local law
or regulations, open burning shall only be permitted with
prior approval from the state or local air and water quality
management authority, provided that all conditions specified
in the authorization are followed. See also chapter 173-425 WAC.
307.3.2 Recreational fires. Recreational fires shall not be
conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible
material. Conditions which could cause a fire to spread
within 25 feet of a structure shall be eliminated prior to
ignition. See also chapter 173-425 WAC.
308.3.1 Open-flame cooking devices. This section is not
adopted.
308.3.1.1 Liquefied-petroleum-gas-fueled cooking devices.
This section is not adopted.
308.3.4 Aisles and exits. Candles shall be prohibited in
areas where occupants stand, or in an aisle or exit.
| EXCEPTION: | Candles used in religious ceremonies. See RCW 19.27.031(3). |
308.3.7 Group A Occupancies. Open-flame devices shall not be
used in a Group A Occupancy.
| EXCEPTIONS: | 1. Open-flame devices are allowed to be used in the following situations: |
| 1.1 Where necessary for ceremonial or religious purposes in accordance with Section 308.5. | |
| 1.2 On stages and platforms as a necessary part of a performance in accordance with Section 308.6, provided approved precautions are taken to prevent ignition of a combustible material or injury to occupants. | |
| 1.3 Where candles on tables are securely supported on substantial noncombustible bases and the candle flames are protected provided approved precautions are taken to prevent ignition of a combustible material or injury to occupants. | |
| 2. Heat-producing equipment complying with Chapter 6 and the International Mechanical Code. | |
| 3. Gas lights are allowed to be used provided adequate precautions satisfactory to the fire code official are taken to prevent ignition of combustible materials. |
[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. 04-01-105, § 51-54-0300, filed 12/17/03, effective 7/1/04.]
401.2 Approval. Where required by the fire code official,
fire safety plans, emergency procedures, and employee training
programs shall be approved.
404.2 Where required. A fire safety and evacuation plan shall
be prepared and maintained in accordance with this chapter for
the following occupancies and buildings when required by the
fire code official.
1. Group A having an occupant load of 100 or more.
2. Group E.
3. Group H.
4. Group I.
5. Group R-1.
6. Group R-4.
7. High-rise buildings.
8. Group M buildings having an occupant load of 500 or more persons or more than 100 persons above or below the lowest level of exit discharge.
9. Covered malls exceeding 50,000 sf in aggregate floor area.
10. Underground buildings.
11. Buildings with an atrium and having an occupancy in Group A, E, or M.
404.4 Maintenance. Fire safety and evacuation plans shall be
reviewed by the owner or occupant annually or as necessitated
by changes in staff assignments, occupancy, or the physical
arrangement of the building.
408.11.1.1 Approval. The lease plan shall be submitted to the
fire code official, and shall be maintained on-site for
immediate reference by responding fire service personnel.
408.11.1.2 Revisions. The lease plan shall be reviewed by the
owner or occupant and revised annually or as often as
necessary to keep them current.
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804.l.1 Restricted occupancies. Natural cut trees shall be
prohibited in Group I-1, I-2, I-3, I-4, LC and R-4
occupancies.
804.l.2 Support devices. The support device that holds the
tree in an upright position shall be of a type that is stable
and that meets all of the following criteria:
1. The device shall hold the tree securely and be of adequate size to avoid tipping over of the tree.
2. The device shall be capable of containing a minimum supply of water in accordance with Table 804.1.2.
3. The water level, when full, shall cover the tree stem at least 2 inches (51 mm). The water level shall be maintained above the fresh cut and checked at least once daily.
804.l.3 Dryness. The tree shall be removed from the building
whenever the tree is determined to be dry by needle
pliability, discoloration or other approved means as approved
by the fire code official. The tree shall be checked daily
for dryness.
| Tree Stem Diameter (inches) | Minimum Support Stand Water Capacity (gallons) | Typical Daily Water Transpiration Amount (gallons) |
| Up to 4 | 1 | 1/4 to 1 |
| 4 to 6 | 1 1/2 | 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 |
| 7 to 8 | 2 | 1 3/4 to 2 |
| 9 to 12 | 3 | 2 1/4 to 3 |
| 13 and over | 4 | Over 3 |
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1503.2.1.1 Spray and vapor areas. Electrical wiring and equipment in spray and vapor areas shall be of an explosion-proof type approved for use in such hazardous locations. Such areas shall be considered to be Class I, Division 1 or Class II, Division 1 hazardous locations in accordance with the ICC Electrical Code.
1503.2.2 Open flames and sparks. Open flames and
spark-producing devices shall not be located in spray or vapor
areas and shall not be located within 20 feet (6096 mm) of
such areas unless separated by a permanent partition.
1503.2.4 Equipment enclosures. Equipment or apparatus that is
capable of producing sparks or particles of hot metal that
would fall into a spray or vapor area shall be totally
enclosed.
1503.2.6 Smoking prohibited. Smoking shall be prohibited in
spray or vapor areas. "No Smoking" signs complying with
Section 310 shall be conspicuously posted in such areas.
1504.1.3 Spraying areas. Spraying areas shall be designed and
constructed in accordance with the International Building Code
and Sections 1504.1.3.1, 1504.2, 1504.3, 1504.4, 1504.5 and
1504.6 of this code.
1504.1.3.1 Floor. Combustible floor construction in spraying
areas shall be covered by approved, noncombustible,
nonsparking material, except where combustible coverings, such
as thin paper or plastic and strippable coatings are utilized
over noncombustible materials to facilitate cleaning
operations in spraying areas.
1504.4 Different coatings. Spray booths, spray rooms and
spray areas shall not be alternately utilized for different
types of coating materials where the combination of materials
is conducive to spontaneous ignition, unless all deposits of
one material are removed from the booth, room or area and
exhaust ducts prior to spraying with a different material.
1504.5 Illumination. Where spraying areas, spray rooms or
spray booths are illuminated through glass panels or other
transparent materials, only fixed lighting units shall be
utilized as a source of illumination.
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SECTION 4601
4601.1 Scope. Marina facilities shall be in accordance with
this chapter.
4601.1.1 Plans and approvals. Plans for marina
fire-protection facilities shall be approved prior to
installation. The work shall be subject to final inspection
and approval after installation.
4601.1.2 Permits. Permits are required to use open-flame
devices for maintenance or repair on vessels, floats, piers or
wharves.
SECTION 4602 -- DEFINITIONS.
4602.1 Definitions. The following words and terms shall, for
the purpose of this chapter and as used elsewhere in this
code, have the meanings shown herein.
FLOAT is a floating structure normally used as a point of transfer for passengers and goods, or both, for mooring purposes.
MARINA is any portion of the ocean or inland water, either naturally or artificially protected, for the mooring, servicing or safety of vessels and shall include artificially protected works, the public or private lands ashore, and structures or facilities provided within the enclosed body of water and ashore for the mooring or servicing of vessels or the servicing of their crews or passengers.
PIER is a structure built over the water, supported by pillars or piles, and used as a landing place, pleasure pavilion or similar purpose.
VESSEL is watercraft of any type, other than seaplanes on the water, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation. Included in this definition are nontransportation vessels such as houseboats and boathouses.
WHARF is a structure or bulkhead constructed of wood, stone, concrete or similar material built at the shore of a harbor, lake or river for vessels to lie alongside of, and piers or floats to be anchored to.
SECTION 4603 -- GENERAL PRECAUTIONS.
4603.1 Combustible debris. Combustible debris and rubbish
shall not be deposited or accumulated on land beneath marina
structures, piers or wharves.
4603.2 Sources of ignition. Open-flame devices used for
lighting or decoration on the exterior of a vessel, float,
pier or wharf shall be approved.
4603.3 Flammable or combustible liquid spills. Spills of
flammable or combustible liquids at or upon the water shall be
reported immediately to the fire department or jurisdictional
authorities.
4603.4 Rubbish containers. Containers with tight-fitting or
self-closing lids shall be provided for the temporary storage
of combustible trash or rubbish.
4603.5 Electrical equipment. Electrical equipment shall be
installed and used in accordance with its listing and Section
605 as required for wet, damp and hazardous locations.
SECTION 4604 -- FIRE-PROTECTION EQUIPMENT.
4604.1 General. Marinas, piers, wharves, floats with
facilities for mooring or servicing five or more vessels, and
marine motor vehicle fuel-dispensing stations shall be
equipped with fire-protection equipment in accordance with
Section 4604.
4604.2 Standpipes. Marinas shall be equipped throughout with
standpipe systems in accordance with NFPA 303.
4604.3 Access and water supply. Piers and wharves shall be
provided with fire apparatus access roads and water-supply
systems with on-site fire hydrants when required and approved
by the fire code official.
4604.4 Portable fire extinguishers. One fire extinguisher for
ordinary (moderate) hazard type, shall be provided at each
required hose station. Additional fire extinguishers,
suitable for the hazards involved, shall be provided and
maintained in accordance with Section 906.
4604.5 Communications. A telephone not requiring a coin to
operate or other approved, clearly identified means to notify
the fire department shall be provided on the site in a
location approved by the code official.
SECTION 4605 -- MARINE MOTOR VEHICLE FUEL-DISPENSING STATIONS.
4605.1 Fuel dispensing. Marine motor vehicle fuel-dispensing
stations shall be in accordance with Chapter 22.
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