WSR 13-16-087

PROPOSED RULES

BUILDING CODE COUNCIL

[Filed August 6, 2013, 11:09 a.m.]

Original Notice.

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 13-07-075.

Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Amendments to chapter 51-51 WAC, the Washington State Residential Code.

Hearing Location(s): DES Presentation Room, 1500 Jefferson S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, on October 18, 2013, at 10 a.m.

Date of Intended Adoption: November 8, 2013.

Submit Written Comments to: Ray Allshouse, P.O. Box 41449, Olympia, WA 98504-1449, e-mail sbcc@ga,wa,gov [sbcc@ga.wa.gov], fax (360) 586-9088, by October 25, 2013.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Peggy Bryden by October 8, 2013, (360) 407-9280.

Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Corrects an error in chapter 51-51 WAC, Table R302.1(2) Exterior Walls – Dwellings with fire sprinklers, to specify fire resistance rating for walls is determined based on exposure to the outside not both sides.

Makes changes to chapter 51-51 WAC, by amendment of Section R-0302, to provide two exceptions to the requirement for floor assemblies to be fire resistance rated in two family dwellings. If automatic fire sprinklers are present in both dwelling units, or if the required smoke alarms in both dwelling units are interconnected such that the actuation of one of the alarms will activate all alarms in both dwelling units, then the floor assemblies are not required to be fire resistance rated.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: To correct an error in Table R302.1(2) Exterior walls – Dwellings with fire sprinklers.

For consistency with the Building Code: To permit the use of modern technical methods, devices and improvements.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 19.27A RCW.

Statute Being Implemented: Chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Name of Proponent: State building code council, governmental.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Joanne T. McCaughan, P.O. Box 41011, Olympia, WA 98504-1449, (360) 407-9279; and Enforcement: Local jurisdictions.

No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. This amendment will not result in any cost or impact on small business.

A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. The state building code council is not a listed agency under RCW 34.05.328 (5)(a)(i). This rule is not considered to be substantive; its function is to provide economic relief in certain instances.

June 14, 2013

C. Ray Allshouse

Council Chair

AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 13-04-068, filed 2/1/13, effective 7/1/13)

WAC 51-51-0302 Section R302—Fire-resistant construction.

R302.1 Exterior walls. Construction, projections, openings and penetrations of exterior walls of dwellings and accessory buildings shall comply with Table R302.1(1); or dwellings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section P2904 shall comply with Table R302.1(2).


EXCEPTIONS:	1. Walls, projections, openings or penetrations in walls perpendicular to the line used to determine the fire separation distance.
	2. Walls of dwellings and accessory structures located on the same lot.
	3. Detached tool sheds and storage sheds, playhouses and similar structures exempted from permits are not required to provide protection based on location on the lot. Projections beyond the exterior wall shall not extend over the lot line.
	4. Detached garages accessory to a dwelling located within 2 feet (610 mm) of a lot line are permitted to have roof eave projections not exceeding 4 inches (102 mm).
	5. Foundation vents installed in compliance with this code are permitted.

TABLE R302.1(1)

EXTERIOR WALLS


Exterior Wall Element		Minimum Fire-Resistance Rating	Minimum Fire Separation Distance
Walls	Fire-resistance rated	1-hour tested in accordance with ASTM E 119 or UL 263 with exposure from both sides	< 5 feet
	Not fire-resistance rated	0 hours	≥ 5 feet
Projections	Fire-resistance rated	1 hour on the undersidea, b	≥ 2 feet to < 5 feet
	Not fire-resistance rated	0 hours	≥ 5 feet
Openings in walls	Not allowed	N/A	< 3 feet
	25% maximum of wall area per story	0 hours	3 feet
	Unlimited	0 hours	5 feet
Penetrations	All	Comply with Section R302.4	< 5 feet
		None required	5 feet


For IS:		1 foot = 304.8 mm. N/A = Not Applicable
((a.)) a		Roof eave fire-resistance rating shall be permitted to be reduced to 0 hours on the underside of the eave if fire blocking is provided from the wall top plate to the underside of the roof sheathing.
((b.)) b		Roof eave fire-resistance rating shall be permitted to be reduced to 0 hours on the underside of the eave provided no gable vent openings are installed.

Table R302.1(2)

Exterior Walls—Dwellings with Fire Sprinklers


Exterior Wall Element		Minimum Fire-Resistance Rating	Minimum Fire Separation Distance
Walls	Fire-resistance rated	1-hour tested in accordance with ASTM E 119 or UL 263 with exposure from ((both sides)) the outside	0 feet
	Not fire-resistance rated	0 hours	3 feeta
Projections	Fire-resistance rated	1 hour on the undersideb, c	2 feeta
	Not fire-resistance rated	0 hours	3 feet
Openings in walls	Not allowed	N/A	< 3 feet
	Unlimited	0 hours	3 feeta
Penetrations	All	Comply with Section R302.4	< 3 feet
		None required	3 feeta


For IS:		1 foot = 304.8 mm. N/A = Not Applicable
a		For residential subdivisions where all dwellings are equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with P2904, the fire separation distance for nonrated exterior walls and rated projections shall be permitted to be reduced to 0 feet, and unlimited unprotected openings and penetrations shall be permitted, where the adjoining lot provides an open setback yard that is 6 feet or more in width on the opposite side of the property line.
b		Roof eave fire-resistance rating shall be permitted to be reduced to 0 hours on the underside of the eave if fire blocking is provided from the wall top plate to the underside of the roof sheathing.
c		Roof eave fire-resistance rating shall be permitted to be reduced to 0 hours on the underside of the eave provided no gable vent openings are installed.

R302.2.1 Continuity. The fire-resistance-rated wall or assembly separating townhouses shall be continuous from the foundation to the underside of the roof sheathing, deck or slab. The fire-resistance rating shall extend the full length of the wall or assembly, including wall extensions through and separating attached enclosed accessory structures.

Where a story extends beyond the exterior wall of a story below:

1. The fire-resistance-rated wall or assembly shall extend to the outside edge of the upper story; or

2. The underside of the exposed floor-ceiling assembly shall be protected as required for projections in Section R302.

R302.2.4 Structural independence. Each individual townhouse shall be structurally independent.


EXCEPTIONS:	1. Foundation supporting exterior walls or common walls.
	2. Structural roof and wall sheathing from each unit may be fastened to the common wall framing.
	3. Nonstructural wall and roof coverings.
	4. Flashing at termination of roof covering over common wall.
	5. Townhouses separated by a common 1-hour fire-resistance-rated wall as provided in Section R302.2.
	6. Floor sheathing may fasten to the floor framing of both units.

R302.3.1 Supporting construction. When floor assemblies are required to be fire-resistance rated by Section R302.3, the supporting construction of such assemblies shall have an equal or greater fire-resistance rating.


EXCEPTION:	The supporting construction is not required to be fire-resistance rated where:
	1. Automatic fire sprinklers are installed in accordance with appendix R in both dwelling units;
	or
	2. All required smoke alarms in both dwelling units are interconnected in such a manner that the actuation of one alarm will activate all alarms in both dwelling units.