WSR 13-15-162
PROPOSED RULES
BUILDING CODE COUNCIL
[Filed July 23, 2013, 5:33 p.m.]
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 13-07-076.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Amendments to chapter 51-54A WAC, the Washington State Fire Code.
Hearing Location(s): Center Place Event Center, 2426 North Discovery Place, Spokane Valley, WA 99216, on September 20, 2013, at 10 a.m.; and at the DES Presentation Room, 1500 Jefferson S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, on October 18, 2013, at 10 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: November 8, 2013.
Submit Written Comments to: Ray Allshouse, P.O. Box 41449, Olympia, WA 98504-1449, e-mail sbcc@ga,wa,gov [sbcc@ga.wa.gov], fax (360) 586-9088, by October 25, 2013.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Peggy Bryden by September 9, 2013, (360) 407-9280.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Amends chapter 51-54A WAC, Section 908 and Section 1103, to specify certain regulations related to the installation of CO alarms do not apply to Washington state department of corrections (DOC) prisons and work release facilities.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: During the adoption of the 2012 Fire Code, the state building code council (SBCC) reviewed the requirements for CO alarms in Group R and Group I residential settings and facilities. Certain exceptions were continued for Group R facilities such as hotels, college dormitories and state licensed boarding homes and residential treatment facilities. This proposed code language would include an exception for DOC prisons and work release facilities.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 19.27A RCW.
Statute Being Implemented: Chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: [SBCC], governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Joanne T. McCaughan, P.O. Box 41011, Olympia, WA 98504-1449, (360) 407-9279; and Enforcement: Local jurisdictions.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. There are no impacts on small businesses. Adoption of this rule will provide economic relief for DOC, estimated at $382,500 for sixteen work release facilities considered Group R; and eight minor corrections centers estimated at a cost of $1,110,000; and ten major correctional facilities considered to be Group I estimated at a cost [of] $26,195,700.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. The SBCC is not a listed agency under RCW 34.05.328 (5)(a)(i). This rule is not considered to be substantive; its function is to provide economic relief in certain instances.
June 14, 2013
C. Ray Allshouse
Council Chair
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 13-04-063, filed 2/1/13, effective 7/1/13)
WAC 51-54A-0605 Electrical equipment, wiring and hazards.
605.11 Solar photovoltaic power systems. ((This section is not adopted.)) Installation, modification, or alteration of solar photovoltaic power systems shall comply with this section. Due to the emerging technologies in the solar photovoltaic industry, it is understood fire code officials may need to amend prescriptive requirements of this section to meet the requirements for firefighter access and product installations. Section 104.9 Alternative materials and methods of this code shall be considered when approving the installation of solar photovoltaic power systems. Solar photovoltaic power systems shall be installed in accordance with Sections 605.11.1 through 605.11.4, the International Building Code and NFPA 70.
EXCEPTION:
Detached, nonhabitable Group U structures shall not be subject to the requirements of Sections 605.11.2 through 605.11.3.3.3.
605.11.1 Marking. Marking is required on interior and exterior direct-current (DC) conduit, enclosures, raceways, cable assemblies, junction boxes, combiner boxes and disconnects.
605.11.1.1 Materials. The materials used for marking shall be reflective, weather resistant and suitable for the environment. Marking as required in Sections 605.11.1.2 through 605.11.1.4 shall have all letters capitalized with a minimum height of 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) white on red background.
605.11.1.2 Marking content. The marking shall contain the words "photovoltaic power source."
605.11.1.3 Main service disconnect. The marking shall be placed adjacent to the main service disconnect in a location clearly visible from the location where the disconnect is operated.
605.11.1.4 Location of marking. Marking shall be placed on interior and exterior DC conduit, raceways, enclosures and cable assemblies every 10 feet (3,048 mm), within 1 foot (305 mm) of turns or bends and within 1 foot (305 mm) above and below penetrations of roof/ceiling assemblies, walls or barriers.
605.11.2 Locations of DC conductors. Conduit, wiring systems, and raceways for photovoltaic circuits shall be located as close as possible to the ridge or hip or valley and from the hip or valley as directly as possible to an outside wall to reduce trip hazards and maximize ventilation opportunities. Conduit runs between sub arrays and to DC combiner boxes shall be installed in a manner that minimizes the total amount of conduit on the roof by taking the shortest path from the array to the DC combiner box. The DC combiner boxes shall be located such that conduit runs are minimized in the pathways between arrays. DC wiring shall be installed in metallic conduit or raceways when located within enclosed spaces in a building.
605.11.3 Access and pathways. Roof access, pathways, and spacing requirements shall be provided in accordance with Sections 605.11.3.1 through 605.11.3.3.3.
EXCEPTION:
Residential structures shall be designed so that each photovoltaic array is no greater than 150 feet (45,720 mm) by 150 feet (45,720 mm) in either axis.
605.11.3.2 Residential systems for one- and two-family dwellings. Access to residential systems for one- and two-family dwellings shall be provided in accordance with Sections 605.11.3.2.1 through 605.11.3.2.4.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. Residential dwellings with an approved automatic fire sprinkler system installed;
 
2. Residential dwellings with approved mechanical or passive ventilation systems;
 
3. Where the fire code official determines that the slope of the roof is too steep for emergency access;
 
4. Where the fire code official determines that vertical ventilation tactics will not be utilized.
 
5. Buildings under 10,000 s.f. in size where the solar array will cover less than 40% of the roof area over any floor.
605.11.3.2.3 Residential buildings with roof hips and valleys. Panels/modules installed on residential buildings with roof hips and valleys shall be located no closer than 18 inches (457 mm) to a hip or a valley where panels/modules are to be placed on both sides of a hip or valley. Where panels are to be located on only one side of a hip or valley, the panels shall be permitted to be placed directly adjacent to the hip or valley.
EXCEPTION:
These requirements shall not apply to roofs with slopes of two units vertical in 12 units horizontal (2:12) or less.
605.11.3.2.4 Residential building smoke ventilation. Panels/modules installed on residential buildings shall be located no higher than 18 inches (457 mm) below the ridge in order to allow for fire department rooftop operations.
605.11.4 Ground-mounted photovoltaic arrays. Ground-mounted photovoltaic arrays shall comply with Sections 605.11 through 605.11.2 and this section. Setback requirements shall not apply to ground-mounted, free-standing photovoltaic arrays.
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 13-04-063, filed 2/1/13, effective 7/1/13)
WAC 51-54A-0908 Emergency alarm systems.
908.7 Carbon monoxide alarms. Group I or Group R occupancies shall be provided with single station carbon monoxide alarms installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms in dwelling units or sleeping units and on each level of the dwelling. The carbon monoxide alarms shall be listed as complying with UL 2034 and be installed and maintained in accordance with NFPA 720-2012 and the manufacturer's instructions.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. For other than R-2 occupancies, the building does not contain a fuel-burning appliance, a fuel-burning fireplace, or an attached garage; or
 
2. Sleeping units or dwelling units in I and R-1 occupancies and R-2 college dormitories, hotel, DOC prisons and work releases and DSHS licensed boarding home and residential treatment facility occupancies which do not themselves contain a fuel-burning appliance, or a fuel-burning fireplace, or have an attached garage, need not be provided with carbon monoxide alarms provided that:
 
a. The sleeping unit or dwelling unit is not adjacent to any room which contains a fuel-burning appliance, a fuel-burning fireplace, or an attached garage; and
 
b. The sleeping unit or dwelling unit is not connected by duct work or ventilation shafts with a supply or return register in the same room to any room containing a fuel-burning appliance, a fuel-burning fireplace, or an attached garage; and
 
c. The building is provided with a common area carbon monoxide detection system.
 
3. An open parking garage, as defined in Chapter 2 of the International Building Code, or enclosed parking garage ventilated in accordance with Section 404 of the International Mechanical Code shall not be considered an attached garage.
908.7.1 Carbon monoxide detection systems. Carbon monoxide detection systems, that include carbon monoxide detectors and audible notification appliances, installed and maintained in accordance with this section for carbon monoxide alarms and NFPA 720-2012 shall be permitted. The carbon monoxide detectors shall be listed as complying with UL 2075.
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 13-04-063, filed 2/1/13, effective 7/1/13)
WAC 51-54A-1103 Fire safety requirements for existing buildings.
1103.4.3 Nightclub. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout A-2 nightclubs as defined in this code. No building shall be constructed for, used for, or converted to occupancy as a nightclub except in accordance with this section.
1103.9 Carbon monoxide alarms. Existing Group I or Group R occupancies shall be provided with single station carbon monoxide alarms in accordance with Section 908.7. An inspection will occur when alterations, repairs or additions requiring a permit occur, or when one or more sleeping rooms are added or created. The carbon monoxide alarms shall be listed as complying with UL 2034 and be installed and maintained in accordance with NFPA 720-2012 and the manufacturer's instructions.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. For other than R-2 occupancies, if the building does not contain a fuel-burning appliance, a fuel-burning fireplace, or an attached garage.
 
2. Work involving the exterior surfaces of dwellings, such as the replacement of roofing or siding, or the addition or replacement of windows or doors, or the addition of a porch or deck, or electrical permits.
 
3. Installation, alteration or repairs of noncombustion plumbing or mechanical systems.
 
4. Sleeping units or dwelling units in I and R-1 occupancies and R-2 college dormitories, hotel, DOC prisons and work releases and DSHS licensed boarding home and residential treatment facility occupancies which do not themselves contain a fuel-burning appliance, a fuel-burning fireplace, or have an attached garage, need not be provided with carbon monoxide alarms provided that:
 
4.1. The sleeping units or dwelling unit is not adjacent to any room which contains a fuel-burning appliance, a fuel-burning fireplace, or an attached garage; and
 
4.2. The sleeping units or dwelling unit is not connected by duct work or ventilation shafts with a supply or return register in the same room to any room containing a fuel-burning appliance, a fuel-burning fireplace, or to an attached garage; and
 
4.3. The building is provided with a common area carbon monoxide detection system.
 
5. An open parking garage, as defined in the International Building Code, or enclosed parking garage ventilated in accordance with Section 404 of the International Mechanical Code shall not be considered an attached garage.