HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 EHB 1144

                       As Passed House

                       March 19, 1991

Title:  An act relating to the state building code.

Brief Description:  Revising provisions for application of the state building code.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Jacobsen, Miller, Winsley, Cole, Wood, Rasmussen, Prentice, R. Fisher, Valle, Fraser, Haugen, Belcher, Scott, Franklin, Ogden, Roland, Riley, Leonard, Cantwell, Rust, Hine, Pruitt, Inslee, R. Johnson, Sheldon, Spanel, Kremen, Rayburn, Brekke and Orr.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

State Government, February 15, 1991, DPA:

Passed House, March 19, 1991, 98-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

STATE GOVERNMENT

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Anderson, Chair; Pruitt, Vice Chair; McLean, Ranking Minority Member; Bowman, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chandler; Grant; Moyer; O'Brien; and Sheldon.

Staff:  Linda May (786-7135).

Background:  The State Building Code is made up of a number of uniform codes:  the Uniform Building Code, the Uniform Mechanical Code, the Uniform Fire Code, and the Uniform Plumbing Code.  Counties and cities may amend these codes to adapt to their respective jurisdictions.  However, no code adopted by a city or county can be less stringent than the minimum performance standards established in the State Building Code.

The various uniform codes also contain appendices.  While cities and counties must abide by the uniform codes, they are not required to abide by the standards contained in the appendices to these codes.

Appendix C of the Uniform Plumbing Code lists minimum plumbing facilities needed for various types of buildings and occupancy.  In particular, this appendix identifies minimum plumbing facilities for assembly places for public use such as theatres, auditoriums, and convention halls.  Minimum facilities are listed in terms of fixtures per person for males and females.  Because of its place in an appendix to the Plumbing Code, cities and counties have not been required to meet these ratios in building new public assembly facilities.

Summary of Bill:  The Legislature finds that many places of public assembly are not equipped with adequate toilet facilities for women.  The portion of Appendix C in the Uniform Plumbing Code relating specifically to assembly places for public use is moved into the State Building Code.  The ratios contained in Appendix C of toilet fixtures to females and to males become required minimum standards for new public assembly buildings.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The bill promotes domestic tranquility and would only apply to new places of public assembly.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Representative Ken Jacobsen (in favor).