WSR 10-16-032

PROPOSED RULES

BUILDING CODE COUNCIL


[ Filed July 26, 2010, 10:19 a.m. ]

     Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 10-09-069.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Amendment of chapter 51-56 WAC, adoption and amendment of the 2009 Edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC).

     Hearing Location(s): Spokane City Council Chambers, West 808 Spokane Falls Boulevard, Spokane, WA, on September 10, 2010, at 10:00 a.m.; and at the Senate Hearing Room 2, Cherberg Building, Washington State Capitol Campus, Olympia, Washington, on September 24, 2010, at 10:00 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: October 15, 2010.

     Submit Written Comments to: John Cochran, Council Chair, P.O. Box 41014, Olympia, WA 98504-1014, e-mail krista.braaksma@ga.wa.gov, fax (360) 586-9383, by September 24, 2010.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Peggy Bryden by August 26, 2010, TTY (360) 586-0772 or (360) 725-2966.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The proposed rule amends the 2009 Edition of the UPC to specify that all water heater installations in garages must be elevated eighteen inches off the floor.

     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: Krista Braaksma, P.O. Box 41014, Olympia, WA 98504-1014, (360) 725-2964; and Enforcement: Local jurisdictions.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. During review of the proposed changes, the technical advisory group did not identify any items with potential disproportionate cost impact to 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 statute.

June 11, 2010

John C. Cochran

Council Chair

OTS-3495.1


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 10-03-101, filed 1/20/10, effective 7/1/10)

WAC 51-56-0500   Chapter 5 -- Water heaters.  


501.0 General. The regulations of this chapter shall govern the construction, location, and installation of fuel burning and other water heaters heating potable water. The minimum capacity for water heaters shall be in accordance with the first hour rating listed in Table 5-1. See the Mechanical Code for combustion air and installation of all vents and their connectors. All design, construction, and workmanship shall be in conformity with accepted engineering practices, manufacturer's installation instructions, and applicable standards and shall be of such character as to secure the results sought to be obtained by this Code. No water heater shall be hereinafter installed which does not comply in all respects with the type and model of each size thereof approved by the authority having jurisdiction. A list of accepted gas appliance standards is included in Table 14-1.

TABLE 5-11,3

Number of Bathrooms 1 to 1.5 2 to 2.5 3 to 3.5
Number of Bedrooms 1 2 3 2 3 4 5 3 4 5 6
First Hour Rating2, Gallons 42 54 54 54 67 67 80 67 80 80 80

Notes: 1The first hour rating is found on the "Energy Guide" label.
2Nonstorage and solar water heaters shall be sized to meet the appropriate first hour rating as shown in the table.
3For replacement water heaters, see Section 101.4.1.1.1.

502.2 Chimney – Delete definition.


502.3 Chimney, Factory-Built – Delete definition.


502.4 Chimney, Masonry – Delete definition.


502.5 Chimney, Metal –
Delete definition.


502.7 Direct Vent Appliance –
Delete definition.


502.8 Flue Collar –
Delete definition.


502.9 Gas Vent, Type B –
Delete definition.


502.10 Gas Vent, Type L – Delete definition.


502.12 Vent – Delete definition.


502.13 Vent Connector –
Delete definition.


502.14 Venting System – Delete definition.


504.1 Inspection of Chimneys or Vents. Delete paragraph.


505.1 Location. Water heater installation in bedrooms and bathrooms shall comply with one of the following:

     (1) Fuel-burning water heaters may be installed in a closet located in the bedroom or bathroom provided the closet is equipped with a listed, gasketed door assembly and a listed self-closing device. The self-closing door assembly shall meet the requirements of Section 505.1.1. The door assembly shall be installed with a threshold and bottom door seal and shall meet the requirements of Section 505.1.2. All combustion air for such installations shall be obtained from the outdoors in accordance with the International Mechanical Code. The closet shall be for the exclusive use of the water heater.

     (2) Water heater shall be of the direct vent type.


506.2 All storage-type water heaters deriving heat from fuels or types of energy other than gas, shall be provided with, in addition to the primary temperature controls, an over-temperature safety protection device constructed, listed, and installed in accordance with nationally recognized applicable standards for such devices and a combination temperature and pressure relief valve.


507.0 Combustion Air. For issues relating to combustion air, see the Mechanical Code.


Sections 507.1 through 507.9 are not adopted.


Sections 508.6 through 508.9 are not adopted.


508.12 Delete entire section.


508.14 Installation in Residential Garages.

     (1) Appliances in residential garages and in adjacent spaces that open to the garage and are not part of the living space of a dwelling unit shall be installed so that burners, burner-ignition devices and ignition sources are located not less than 18 inches above the floor unless listed as flammable vapor ignition resistant.

     (2) Such appliances shall be located or protected so it is not subject to physical damage by a moving vehicle.

     (3) When appliances are installed in a separate enclosed space having access only from outside of the garage, such appliances shall be permitted to be installed at floor level, providing the required combustion air is taken from the exterior of the garage.


508.18 Venting of Flue Gases - Delete entire section.


Sections 508.20 through 508.24.5 are not adopted.


510.0 Venting of Equipment. Delete entire section.


511.0 Sizing of Category I Venting Systems. Delete entire section.


512.0 Direct Vent Equipment. Delete entire section.


Chapter 5, Part II is not adopted.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.031 and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. 10-03-101, § 51-56-0500, filed 1/20/10, effective 7/1/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.190, 19.27.020 and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. 07-01-094, § 51-56-0500, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. 04-01-110, § 51-56-0500, filed 12/17/03, effective 7/1/04; 02-01-114, § 51-56-0500, filed 12/18/01, effective 7/1/02.]

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