WSR 14-24-054
PERMANENT RULES
BUILDING CODE COUNCIL
[Filed November 25, 2014, 1:18 p.m., effective May 1, 2015]
Effective Date of Rule: May 1, 2015.
Purpose: Make editorial changes to chapter 51-11C WAC, to clarify and correct requirements in the Washington State Energy Code, Commercial provisions.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 51-11C-20218, 51-11C-40245, and 51-11C-403244.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 19.27A.025, 19.27A.045.
Other Authority: RCW 19.27.020, 19.27.074.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 14-15-054 on July 11, 2014.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 3, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: November 14, 2014.
C. Ray Allshouse
Council Chair
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 13-04-056, filed 2/1/13, effective 7/1/13)
WAC 51-11C-20218 Section C202.18—R.
READILY ACCESSIBLE. Capable of being reached quickly for operation, renewal or inspection without requiring those to whom ready access is requisite to climb over or remove obstacles or to resort to portable ladders or access equipment (see "Accessible").
REFRIGERATED WAREHOUSE COOLER. An enclosed storage space ((capable of being refrigerated to temperatures above 32°F that can be walked into and)) that has a total chilled storage area of 3,000 ft2 or greater and is designed to maintain a temperature of greater than 32°F but less than 55°F.
REFRIGERATED WAREHOUSE FREEZER. An enclosed storage space ((capable of being refrigerated to temperatures at or below 32°F that can be walked into and)) that has a total chilled storage area of 3,000 ft2 or greater and is designed to maintain a temperature at or below 32°F.
REPAIR. The reconstruction or renewal of any part of an existing building.
RESIDENTIAL BUILDING. For this code, includes detached one- and two-family dwellings and multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) as well as Group R-2, R-3 and R-4 buildings three stories or less in height above grade plane.
ROOF ASSEMBLY. A system designed to provide weather protection and resistance to design loads. The system consists of a roof covering and roof deck or a single component serving as both the roof covering and the roof deck. A roof assembly includes the roof covering, underlayment, roof deck, insulation, vapor retarder and interior finish.
-VALUE (THERMAL RESISTANCE).R The inverse of the time rate of heat flow through a body from one of its bounding surfaces to the other surface for a unit temperature difference between the two surfaces, under steady state conditions, per unit area (h • ft2 • °F/Btu) [(m2 • K)/W].
Reviser's note: The brackets and enclosed material in the text of the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency.
Reviser's note: The brackets and enclosed material in the text of the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appear in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 13-04-056, filed 2/1/13, effective 7/1/13)
WAC 51-11C-40245 Section C402.4.5—Air intakes, exhaust openings, stairways and shafts.
C402.4.5 Air intakes, exhaust openings, stairways and shafts. Stairway enclosures and elevator shaft vents and other outdoor air intakes and exhaust openings integral to the building envelope shall be provided with dampers in accordance with Sections C402.4.5.1 and C402.4.5.2.
C402.4.5.1 Stairway and shaft vents. Stairway and shaft vents shall be provided with Class I motorized dampers with a maximum leakage rate of 4 cfm/ft2 (20.3 L/s • m2) at 1.0 inch water gauge (w.g.) (249 Pa) when tested in accordance with AMCA 500D.
Stairway and shaft vent dampers shall be installed with controls so that they are capable of automatically opening upon:
1. The activation of any fire alarm initiating device of the building's fire alarm system; or
2. The interruption of power to the damper.
C402.4.5.2 Outdoor air intakes ((and)), exhaust((s)) outlets, relief outlets, and return openings. Outdoor air supply, exhaust openings and relief outlets shall be provided with Class I((A)) motorized dampers which close automatically when the system is off. ((Return air dampers shall be equipped with motorized dampers.)) Dampers shall have a maximum leakage rate of 4 cfm/ft2 (20.3 L/s • m2) at 1.0 inch water gauge (w.g.) (249 Pa) when tested in accordance with AMCA 500D.
Return air openings used for airside economizer operation shall be equipped with Class I motorized dampers. Dampers shall have a maximum leakage rate of 4 cfm/ft2 (20.3 L/s • m2) at 1.0 inch water gauge (w.g.) (249 Pa) when tested in accordance with AMCA 500D.
See also section C403.2.4.4 for additional requirements from damper shut-off controls.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. Gravity (nonmotorized) dampers having a maximum leakage rate of 20 cfm/ft2 (101.6 L/s • m2) at 1.0 inch water gauge (w.g.) (249 Pa) when tested in accordance with AMCA 500D are permitted to be used for relief openings in buildings less than three stories in height above grade if equipment has less than 5,000 cfm total supply flow. Gravity (nonmotorized) dampers for ventilation air intakes shall be protected from direct exposure to wind.
 
2. ((Gravity (nonmotorized) dampers for ventilation air intakes shall be protected from direct exposure to wind.
 
3.)) Gravity dampers smaller than 24 inches (610 mm) in either dimension shall be permitted to have a leakage of 40 cfm/ft2 (203.2 L/s • m2) at 1.0 inch water gauge (w.g.) (249 Pa) when tested in accordance with AMCA 500D.
 
((4.)) 3. Gravity (nonmotorized) dampers in Group R occupancies where the design outdoor air intake or exhaust capacity does not exceed 400 cfm (189 L/s).
 
4. Motorized dampers on return air openings in unitary packaged equipment that have the minimum leakage rate available from the manufacturer shall be deemed to comply.
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 13-04-056, filed 2/1/13, effective 7/1/13)
WAC 51-11C-403244 Section C403.2.4.4—Shutoff damper controls.
C403.2.4.4 Shutoff damper controls. Both outdoor air supply and exhaust ducts shall be equipped with motorized dampers that will automatically shut when the systems or spaces served are not in use or during building warm-up, cooldown, and setback.
See also section C402.4.5 for additional damper requirements and maximum leakage rates.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. Gravity relief dampers serving systems less than 5,000 cfm total supply shall be permitted in buildings less than three stories in height.
 
2. Gravity dampers shall be permitted for buildings of any height located in Climate Zones 1, 2 and 3.
 
3. Gravity (nonmotorized) dampers in Group R occupancies where the design outdoor air intake or exhaust capacity does not exceed 400 cfm (189 L/s).
 
4. Systems serving areas which require continuous operation.
 
5. Combustion air intakes.
 
6. Operation of dampers shall be allowed during ventilation prepurge one hour before expected occupancy and for unoccupied period precooling during the cooling season.
 
7. Dampers are not required in systems where specifically prohibited by the International Mechanical Code.