WSR 21-22-010

EMERGENCY RULES

BUILDING CODE COUNCIL

[Filed October 21, 2021, 1:57 p.m., effective October 21, 2021, 1:57 p.m.]

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.

Purpose: To amended chapter 51-50 WAC of the International Building Code, regarding Chapter 35 Reference Standards, specifically addressing elevator pit sprinklers.

Also, to amend chapter 51-54A WAC of the International Fire Code, regarding Chapter 80 Reference Standards, specifically addressing elevator pit sprinklers.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New 2.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 19.27.031.

Other Authority: RCW 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 requirement for fire sprinklers in pits of hydraulic elevators is predicated by the amount of debris that is collected in the pit and the potential of an ignition source that could cause a fire. With the advent of hydraulic fluids that are combustible but at flashpoints near 450°F, the lack of ignition sources (cigarette use in buildings has significantly decreased), the reduction of combustible materials found in elevator pits, and the significant reduction nationally in the amount of elevator pit fires (see National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) data attached), the need for a fire sprinkler in the pit and elevator equipment room [has] been significantly reduced. NFPA 13 has included language in the code commentary that the requirement of sprinklers in the pit needs to be evaluated for benefit compared to the additional cost to install sprinklers, additional detection, and a shunt trip to accommodate shutting off the power to the elevator before fire sprinklers are activated. Further, when the power [is] turned off to the elevators it could trap someone who is using the elevator. For that reason, some fire departments do not use elevators during a fire event as they would not have full control of it and responders could become trapped in the elevator.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 2, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 2, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, 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: October 21, 2021.

Andrew S. Klein

Chair

OTS-3418.1

OTS-3419.1