Brief Description: Forming a technical advisory group on fire sprinkler systems in private residences.

Sponsors: Representatives Simpson, Ormsby and Wood.

Hearing Date: 1/22/08

Staff: Lyset Cadena (786-7291); Ethan Moreno (786-7386).

Background:

The State Building Code Council
The State Building Code Advisory Council (Council) was created by statute in 1974 to provide
analysis and advice to the Legislature and the Governor's Office on state building code issues. The Council establishes the minimum building, mechanical, fire, plumbing, and energy code
requirements in Washington by reviewing, developing, and adopting the state building code. The
State Building Code Act (Act) sets forth requirements through the provision of building codes to
promote the health, safety, and welfare of the occupants or users of buildings and structures throughout the state.

The Act consists of regulations adopted by reference from the International Building Code (IBC),
the International Residential Code (IRC), the International Mechanical Code (IMC), the National
Fuel Gas Code, the International Fire Code (IFC), and the Uniform Plumbing Code and Uniform
Plumbing Code Standards. In maintaining the Act, the Council must regularly review updated
versions of the codes and other pertinent information and amend the Act as deemed appropriate by the Council. The Council may also issue opinions relating to the codes at the request of a local official charged with the duty to enforce the Act.

Private Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems
Fire sprinklers are required in certain sections of the IBC, IRC, IFC, and by the National Fire
Protection Agency (NFPA). Sprinkler requirements of the IBC are typically applied to larger
residential occupancies such as hotels, apartments, dormitories or condominiums. Single family
dwellings (as defined by the IRC) in Washington are not required to install sprinklers for fire
protection, unless local municipalities have adopted additional requirements of the IRC into their
local building code requirements.

Summary of Bill:

The State Building Code Council is required to form a technical advisory group to research issues, barriers, and incentives on residential fire sprinkler systems.

The advisory group must consist of:

• Representatives from a city association, a county association, the association of building

officials, a special purpose water-sewer district association, a public utility district association, a mutual water company, the Department of Health, and the Department of Ecology;

• A fire marshal, a licensed residential fire sprinkler contractor, an architect, and a residential builder; and
• Any other representative deemed necessary by the Council.

Findings of the technical advisory group must be presented to the appropriate committees of the Legislature by the State Building Code Council by January 15, 2009.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.