SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 2936

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Agriculture & Agricultural Trade & Development, February 20, 1996

Title:  An act relating to fruit and vegetable storage.

Brief Description:  Exempting food storage facilities from building code requirements relating to ammonia usage.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Clements, Chandler, Lisk, Foreman, Honeyford, Grant, Skinner and Mastin).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Agriculture & Agricultural Trade & Development:  2/15/96, 2/20/96 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & AGRICULTURAL TRADE & DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

  Signed by Senators Rasmussen, Chair; Loveland, Vice Chair; Bauer, Morton, Newhouse and Snyder.

Staff:  Bob Lee (786-7404)

Background:  The State Building Code Council has adopted by reference the 1994 version of the uniform mechanical code and the uniform fire code.  With the adoption of these codes, the rules were revised relating to the use of ammonia for cold storage facilities.  The rules require an ammonia system to be equipped with an emergency discharge into a tank of water, meeting certain specifications, for ammonia absorption.  Discharge to the atmosphere is allowed only through an approved flaring device that is designed to incinerate the entire discharge.

Summary of Amended Bill:  Ammonia refrigeration systems or systems using A-1 refrigerants used in cold storage warehouses and controlled atmosphere storage warehouses that store fruit or vegetables are not required to comply with specific sections of the uniform mechanical code or uniform fire code, as adopted by the State Building Code Council or amended by local jurisdictions, that require specified methods of ammonia dispersal.

The State Building Code Council is directed to adopt rules consistent with these limitations.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The types of refrigeration systems that are exempt from the 1994 Uniform Building Code is reduced to only ammonia refrigeration systems and systems that are using type A-1 refrigerants.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The requirements contained in the 1994 Uniform Building Code are very costly and do not add to the protection of the health or the environment.  The amendment narrows the scope of the legislation to the specific types of systems that are being used.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Mark Triplett, Dave Reed, Shippers & Growers (pro); Jim Halstrom, WA State Horticulture Assn. (pro); Otto Jensen, Fire Chiefs; John McAlister, Tree Top, Inc. (pro); Larry Ward, State Building Code Council Legislative Chair.