WSR 14-16-032 PROPOSED RULES BUILDING CODE COUNCIL [Filed July 28, 2014, 5:05 p.m.]
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 14-06-030.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Amendments to chapter 51-54A WAC: Section 907 [of] the 2012 International Fire Code (IFC).
Hearing Location(s): Fire Department Training Center, 1618 South Rebecca Street, Spokane, WA, on September 12, 2014, at 10 a.m.; and at DES Presentation Room, 1500 Jefferson S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, on October 10, 2014, at 10 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: November 14, 2014.
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) 586-5366, by October 24, 2014.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Peggy Bryden by September 2, 2014, (360) 407-9280.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: This amendment to the Fire Code will ease a significant financial burden for small daycares and small or limited school remodel projects; the current rule exempts Group E occupancies with an occupant load of thirty or fewer from the requirements for manual fire alarm systems. This rule will raise that number to an occupant load of fifty or fewer; it will also specify than [that] an emergency voice alarm system is not required in Group E occupancies of one hundred or fewer occupants if the manual fire alarm system initiates an approved signal.
This matter is also the subject of an emergency rule currently in place under WSR 14-08-090.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: The adoption of the 2012 Fire Code placed an undue financial hardship on school districts and small Group E daycare centers due to fire alarm requirements related to occupancy. The proposed amendment provides an adequate level of safety as determined by the national standards for the 2015 code; it has been recognized that the 2012 Fire Code had the unintended consequence of an increased scope; this was not justified and is being addressed through the national code amendment process for 2015. Adoption of the current proposal in Washington state, rather than delaying action until the adoption of the 2015 Fire Code, will provide economic relief to school districts now.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.031.
Statute Being Implemented: Chapter 19.27 RCW.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: State building code council (SBCC), governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Joanne McCaughan, P.O. Box 41449, 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. This code modification is being made to resolve an error in the current code language that has been rectified in the 2015 edition of the IFC. It will provide relief to school districts by eliminating the requirement for voice alarm systems in some Group E occupancies. It has been determined that there is no fiscal impact incurred on Washington small businesses.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. SBCC is not a listed agency under RCW 34.05.328 (5)(a)(i).
June 13, 2014
C. Ray Allshouse
Council Chair
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 13-04-063, filed 2/1/13, effective 7/1/13)
WAC 51-54A-0907 Fire alarm and detection systems.
907.2.3 Group E. A manual fire alarm system that initiates the occupant notification signal utilizing an emergency voice/alarm communication system meeting the requirements of Section 907.5.2.2 and installed in accordance with Section 907.6 shall be installed in Group E occupancies. When automatic sprinkler systems or smoke detectors are installed, such systems or detectors shall be connected to the building fire alarm system.
907.2.9.1.1 Group R-2 boarding homes. A manual fire alarm system shall be installed in Group R-2 occupancies where the building contains a boarding home licensed by the state of Washington.
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