Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 51-50 WAC, amendments to the 2021 International Building Code to adopt R-4 occupancy group and modify code provisions related to licensed care facilities.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: In 1993, the R-4 occupancy designation was replaced with licensed care occupancies in the adopted Washington state uniform codes. In the 2006 international version of the codes, Washington removed licensed care occupancies and distributed those facilities to the appropriate I and R occupancies classifications, while continuing to strike the unneeded R-4 occupancy classification. The International Code Council model codes have evolved to include an enhanced building science model for the R-4 designation that includes mitigations for both active and passive fire and life safety systems. There is no longer a reason for nonadoption R-4 occupancy group.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Washington state department of health.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Dustin Curb, State Building Code Council Code Specialist, P.O. Box 41449, Olympia, WA 98504-1449, phone 360-972-4158, email dustin.curb@des.wa.gov, website www.sbcc.wa.gov.