FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 6284

C 14 L 16 E 1

FULL VETO

VETO OVERRIDE

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Preventing water-sewer districts from prohibiting multipurpose fire sprinkler systems.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Government Operations & Security (originally sponsored by Senators Takko and Roach).

Senate Committee on Government Operations & Security

House Committee on Local Government

Background: Water-Sewer Districts (Districts). Districts are municipal corporations established to construct and maintain water and sewer systems for District residents. Districts may be formed by petition or resolution, and are governed by a board of three, five, or seven commissioners. Districts have the authority to regulate and control the use, distribution, and price of water within the District, and enforce collection charges against customers who connect with the system or receive water. Water meters are used to measure water usage at each property, and customers are charged based on this measure of water consumption.

Fire Protection Sprinkler Systems. A fire protection sprinkler system is an assembly of piping that starts at a connection to the primary water supply and carries water to sprinklers to contain and extinguish fires. There are two primary types of fire protection sprinkler systems used in residential homes; stand-alone sprinkler systems and multipurpose sprinkler systems. Stand-alone sprinkler systems are kept separate and independent from the water distribution system of the home, and the piping of the system serves only the fire sprinklers. Multipurpose sprinkler systems combine fire sprinklers with the home’s plumbing, so water is supplied both to regular plumbing fixtures and to fire sprinklers. Backflow prevention devices are used when sprinkler systems are connected to a nonpotable water supply, to prevent contamination of potable water.

Washington does not require fire protection sprinkler systems to be installed in new single-family homes. However, individual municipalities may choose to adopt local ordinances specifying this requirement. Currently six cities in Washington have sprinkler ordinances, including Bonney Lake, DuPont, Kenmore, Olympia, Redmond, and Tukwila. Fire protection sprinkler system standards are determined by the National Fire Protection Association, and have been adopted into the Washington State Building Code.

Summary: A District may not prohibit the use of multipurpose fire sprinkler systems in single-family homes and townhomes. Water-sewer districts also may not require a separate water meter or backflow preventer for the multipurpose fire sprinkler system.

Multipurpose fire sprinkler systems are defined as systems that are constructed of approved potable water piping and attached sprinkler heads that are supplied only by the purveyor’s water. They must terminate at a connection to a plumbing fixture to prevent stagnant water and may not have a fire department pumper connection.

Votes on Final Passage:

Votes on Veto Override:

First Special Session