WSR 13-23-089
EXPEDITED RULES
BUILDING CODE COUNCIL
[Filed November 19, 2013, 4:17 p.m.]
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Modification of chapter 51-51 WAC, Washington state amendments to the 2012 International Residential Code, Section R325 - Adult Family Homes.
NOTICE
THIS RULE IS BEING PROPOSED UNDER AN EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS THAT WILL ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR THE AGENCY TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS, PREPARE A SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT, OR PROVIDE RESPONSES TO THE CRITERIA FOR A SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE RULE. IF YOU OBJECT TO THIS USE OF THE EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS, YOU MUST EXPRESS YOUR OBJECTIONS IN WRITING AND THEY MUST BE SENT TO Ray Allshouse, Chair, State Building Code Council, P.O. Box 41449, Olympia, WA 98504, AND RECEIVED BY January 22, 2014.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: To correct numerical references contained in WAC 51-51-0325 Adult family homes, pertaining to certain sections of the 2012 International Residential Code, related to means of egress.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: This rule is needed to make editorial corrections.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 19.27.031, 19.27.074.
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: State building code council, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Joanne T. McCaughan, 1500 Jefferson, Olympia, WA 98504-1449, (360) 407-9279; Implementation: Tim Nogler, 1500 Jefferson, Olympia, WA 98504-1449, (360) 407-9277; and Enforcement: Local building officials.
November 18, 2013
C. Ray Allshouse
Chair
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 13-04-068, filed 2/1/13, effective 7/1/13)
WAC 51-51-0325 Section R325—Adult family homes.
SECTION R325
ADULT FAMILY HOMES
R325.1 General. This section shall apply to all newly constructed adult family homes and all existing single family homes being converted to adult family homes. This section shall not apply to those adult family homes licensed by the state of Washington department of social and health services prior to July 1, 2001.
R325.2 Submittal standards. In addition to those requirements in Section 106.1, the submittal shall identify the project as a Group R-3 Adult Family Home Occupancy. A floor plan shall be submitted identifying the means of egress and the components in the means of egress such as stairs, ramps, platform lifts and elevators. The plans shall indicate the rooms used for clients and the sleeping room classification of each room.
R325.3 Sleeping room classification. Each sleeping room in an adult family home shall be classified as:
1. Type S - Where the means of egress contains stairs, elevators or platform lifts.
2. Type NS1 - Where one means of egress is at grade level or a ramp constructed in accordance with R325.9 is provided.
3. Type NS2 - Where two means of egress are at grade level or ramps constructed in accordance with R325.9 are provided.
R325.4 Types of locking devices and door activation. All bedroom and bathroom doors shall be openable from the outside when locked.
Every closet shall be readily openable from the inside.
Operable parts of door handles, pulls, latches, locks and other devices installed in adult family homes shall be operable with one hand and shall not require tight grasping, pinching or twisting of the wrist. Pocket doors shall have graspable hardware available when in the closed or open position.
The force required to activate operable parts shall be 5.0 pounds (22.2 N) maximum. Required exit doors shall have no additional locking devices.
Required exit door hardware shall unlock inside and outside mechanisms when exiting the building allowing reentry into the adult family home without the use of a key, tool or special knowledge.
R325.5 Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm requirements. All adult family homes shall be equipped with smoke and carbon monoxide alarms installed as required in Sections R314 and R315.1. Alarms shall be installed in such a manner so that the detection device warning is audible from all areas of the dwelling upon activation of a single alarm.
R325.6 Escape windows and doors. Every sleeping room shall be provided with emergency escape and rescue windows as required by Section R310. No alternatives to the sill height such as steps, raised platforms or other devices placed by the openings will be approved as meeting this requirement.
R325.7 Fire apparatus access roads and water supply for fire
protection. Adult family homes shall be served by fire apparatus access roads and water supplies meeting the requirements of the local jurisdiction.
R325.8 Grab bar general requirements. Where facilities are designated for use by adult family home clients, grab bars for water closets, bathtubs and shower stalls shall be installed according to this section.
R325.8.1 Grab bar cross section. Grab bars with a circular cross section shall have an outside diameter of 1 1/4 inches minimum and 2 inches maximum. Grab bars with noncircular cross section shall have a cross section dimension of 2 inches maximum and a perimeter dimension of 4 inches minimum and 4 5/8 inches maximum.
R325.8.2 Grab bar installation. Grab bars shall have a spacing of 1 1/2 inches between the wall and the bar. Projecting objects, control valves and bathtub or shower stall enclosure features above, below and at the ends of the grab bar shall have a clear space of 1 1/2 inches to the grab bar.
EXCEPTION:
Swing-up grab bars shall not be required to meet the 1 1/2 inch spacing requirement.
Grabs bars shall have a structural strength of 250 pounds applied at any point on the grab bar, fastener, mounting device or supporting structural member. Grab bars shall not be supported directly by any residential grade fiberglass bathing or showering unit. Acrylic bars found in bathing units shall be removed.
Fixed position grab bars, when mounted, shall not rotate, spin or move and have a graspable surface finish.
R325.8.3 Grab bars at water closets. Water closets shall have grab bars mounted on both sides. Grab bars can be a combination of fixed position and swing-up bars. Grab bars shall meet the requirements of R325.8. Grab bars shall mount between 33 inches and 36 inches above floor grade. Centerline distance between grab bars, regardless of type used, shall be between 25 inches minimum and 30 inches maximum.
R325.8.3.1 Fixed position grab bars. Fixed position grab bars shall be a minimum of 36 inches in length and start 12 inches from the rear wall.
R325.8.3.2 Swing-up grab bars. Swing-up grab bars shall be a minimum of 28 inches in length from the rear wall.
R325.8.4 Grab bars at bathtubs. Horizontal and vertical grab bars shall meet the requirements of R325.8.
R325.8.4.1 Vertical grab bars. Vertical grab bars shall be a minimum of 18 inches long and installed at the control end wall and head end wall. Grab bars shall mount within 4 inches of the exterior of the bath tub edge or within 4 inches within the bath tub. The bottom end of the bar shall start between 36 inches and 42 inches above floor grade.
EXCEPTION:
The required vertical grab bar can be substituted with a floor to ceiling grab bar meeting the requirements of R325.8 at the control end and head end entry points.
R325.8.4.2 Horizontal grab bars. Horizontal grab bars shall be provided at the control end, head end, and the back wall within the bathtub area. Grab bars shall be mounted between 33 inches and 36 inches above floor grade. Control end and head end grab bars shall be 24 inches minimum in length. Back wall grab bar shall be 36 inches minimum in length.
R325.8.5 Grab bars at shower stalls. Where shower stalls are provided to meet the requirements for bathing facilities, grab bars shall meet the requirements of R325.8.
EXCEPTION:
Shower stalls with permanent built-in seats are not required to have vertical or horizontal grab bars at the seat end wall. A vertical floor to ceiling grab bar shall be installed within 4 inches of the exterior of the shower aligned with the nose of the built-in seat.
R325.8.5.1 Vertical grab bars. Vertical grab bars shall be 18 inches minimum in length and installed at the control end wall and head end wall. Vertical bars shall be mounted within 4 inches of the exterior of the shower stall or within 4 inches inside the shower stall. The bottom end of vertical bars mount between 36 inches and 42 inches above floor grade.
R325.8.5.2 Horizontal grab bars. Horizontal grab bars shall be installed on all sides of the shower stall mounted between 33 inches and 36 inches above the floor grade. Horizontal grab bars shall be a maximum of 6 inches from adjacent walls. Horizontal grab bars shall not interfere with shower control valves.
R325.9 Ramps. All interior and exterior ramps, when provided, shall be constructed in accordance with Section R311.8 with a maximum slope of 1 vertical to 12 horizontal. The exception to R311.8.1 is not allowed for adult family homes. Handrails shall be installed in accordance with R325.9.1.
R325.9.1 Handrails for ramps. Handrails shall be installed on both sides of ramps between the slope of 1 vertical to 12 horizontal and 1 vertical and 20 horizontal in accordance with ((R311.6.3.1 through R311.6.3.3)) R311.8.3.1 through R311.8.3.3.
R325.10 Stair treads and risers. Stair treads and risers shall be constructed in accordance with ((R311.7.4)) R311.7.5. Handrails shall be installed in accordance with R325.10.1.
R325.10.1 Handrails for treads and risers. Handrails shall be installed on both sides of treads and risers numbering from one riser to multiple risers. Handrails shall be installed in accordance with ((R311.7.7 through R311.7.7.4)) R311.7.8.1 through R311.7.8.4.
R325.11 Shower stalls. Where provided to meet the requirements for bathing facilities, the minimum size of shower stalls for an adult family home shall be 30 inches deep by 48 inches long.