WSR 14-17-065 EMERGENCY RULES BUILDING CODE COUNCIL [Filed August 15, 2014, 2:02 p.m., effective August 15, 2014, 2:02 p.m.] Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: This change will redefine "portable school classrooms" and add a definition of "clusters" of such classrooms, and will modify the requirements for fire sprinklers in clusters of portable school classrooms below six thousand square feet for the purpose of improving fire safety and egress for school occupants. The rule is being filed to ensure consistent implementation between the state Building Code and the Fire Code.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 51-50-0200 and 51-50-0903.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 19.27.031, 19.27.074.
Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest.
Reasons for this Finding: The current WAC language has become obsolete, and does not reflect the needs of school districts regarding fire safety in portable school classrooms. The existing rules negatively impact building plans for school districts throughout the state. This modification will provide immediate economic relief to school districts planning to add portable classrooms for the next school year, and will provide a safer environment for building occupants. This modification was made to the Fire Code as an emergency rule and has been filed for permanent rule making in the Fire Code; this filing will provide consistency between the Building Code and the fire codes; filing for a permanent rule will follow.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: March 7, 2014.
C. Ray Allshouse
Chair
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 13-04-067, filed 2/1/13, effective 7/1/13)
WAC 51-50-0200 Chapter 2—Definitions.
SECTION 202—DEFINITIONS.
adult family home. A dwelling, licensed by Washington state, 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.
child care. The care of children during any period of a 24-hour day.
child care, family home. A child care facility, licensed by Washington 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.
CLUSTER. Clusters are multiple portable school classrooms separated by less than the requirements of the building code for separate buildings.
HOSPICE CARE CENTER. A building or portion thereof used on a 24-hour basis for the provision of hospice services to terminally ill inpatients.
NIGHTCLUB. An A-2 Occupancy use under the 2006 International Building Code in which the aggregate area of concentrated use of unfixed chairs and standing space that is specifically designated and primarily used for dancing or viewing performers exceeds three hundred fifty square feet, excluding adjacent lobby areas. "Nightclub" does not include theaters with fixed seating, banquet halls, or lodge halls.
NONSTRUCTURAL CONCRETE. Any element made of plain or reinforced concrete that is not part of a structural system required to transfer either gravity or lateral loads to the ground.
PORTABLE SCHOOL CLASSROOM. A prefabricated structure((,)) consisting of one or more rooms with direct exterior egress from the classroom(s). The structure is transportable in one or more sections((, which requires a chassis to be transported,)) and is designed to be used as an educational space with or without a permanent foundation. The structure shall be ((trailerable and)) capable of being demounted and relocated to other locations as needs arise.
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.
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 13-04-067, filed 2/1/13, effective 7/1/13)
WAC 51-50-0903 Section 903—Automatic sprinkler systems.
903.2.1.6 Nightclub. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout Group A-2 nightclubs as defined in this code.
903.2.3 Group E. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group E Occupancies.
903.2.7 Group M. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings containing a Group M occupancy, where one of the following conditions exists:
1. A Group M fire area exceeds 12,000 square feet (1115 m2).
2. A Group M fire area is located more than three stories above grade plane.
3. The combined area of all Group M fire areas on all floors, including any mezzanines, exceeds 24,000 square feet (2230 m2).
4. Where a Group M occupancy that is used for the display and sale of upholstered furniture or mattresses exceeds 5000 square feet (464 m2).
903.2.8 Group R. An automatic fire sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3 shall be provided throughout all buildings with a Group R fire area.
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