FINAL BILL REPORT

                                   SSB 5261

                                  C 170 L 91

                              SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Requiring new schools to have automatic fire equipment.

SPONSORS:Senate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senators Bailey, Vognild, McMullen, Newhouse, Madsen, Oke, Rinehart and Conner).

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CAPITAL FACILITIES & FINANCING

BACKGROUND:

During the past decade, fires have caused over $10 million worth of damage to public school facilities in the state.  Currently, the State Building Code requires that schools have sprinkler systems only in enclosed spaces below stairways and in basements larger than 1500 square feet.  In addition, four counties, King, Kitsap, Thurston and Clark, require sprinklers in all buildings larger than a specified size of 10,000 to 12,000 square feet.

SUMMARY:

The Building Code Council shall adopt rules by December 1, 1991, requiring all school buildings constructed after July 1, 1992, except portable classrooms, to be provided with an automatic fire-extinguishing system.

The council shall ensure the proposed rules are reviewed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the State Board of Education, and the Fire Protection Policy Board.

Authority for school construction standards regarding fire safety is transferred from the Director of Fire Safety to the State Building Code Council.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate      45    0

House 95    0     (House amended)

Senate      45    0     (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:  July 28, 1991