WSR 17-05-030
EXPEDITED RULES
BUILDING CODE COUNCIL
[Filed February 7, 2017, 6:08 p.m.]
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: 2015 Washington State Fire Code, WAC 51-54A-1030.
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 Tim Nogler, Washington State Building Code Council, P.O. Box 41449, Olympia, WA 98504-1449, AND RECEIVED BY April 17, 2017.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The purpose is to delete certain language in the 2015 State Fire Code that was mistakenly filed due to a clerical error, and to reserve WAC 51-54A-1030.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: The language that was adopted is not consistent with the Washington State Building Code (chapter 51-50 WAC), which is the governing code for this matter.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 19.27 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: Washington state building code council, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Joanne T. McCaughan, 1500 Jefferson Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 407-9279; and Enforcement: Local jurisdictions enforce the code throughout the state.
January 30, 2017
Steven K. Simpson
Chair
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 16-03-055, filed 1/16/16, effective 7/1/16)
WAC 51-54A-1030 ((Emergency escape and rescue.)) Reserved.
((1030.1 General. In addition to the means of egress required by this chapter, provisions shall be made to emergency escape and rescue openings in Group R-2 occupancies in accordance with Tables 1006.3.2(1) and 1006.3.2(2) and Group R-3 occupancies. Basements and sleeping rooms below the fourth story above grade plane shall have at least one exterior emergency escape and rescue opening in accordance with this section. Where basements contain one or more sleeping rooms, emergency escape and rescue openings shall be required in each sleeping room, but shall not be required in adjoining areas of the basement. Such openings shall open directly into a public way or to a yard or court that opens to a public way.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. Basements with a ceiling height of less than 80 inches (2032 mm) shall not be required to have emergency escape and rescue openings.
 
2. Emergency escape and rescue openings are not required from basements or sleeping rooms that have an exit door or exit access door that opens directly into a public way or to a yard, court or exterior balcony that opens to a public way.
 
3. Basements without habitable spaces and having not more than 200 square feet (18.6 m2) in floor area shall not be required to have emergency escape and rescue openings.
 
4. Within individual dwelling and sleeping units in Groups R-2 and R-3, where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, 903.3.1.2 or 903.3.1.3, sleeping rooms in basements shall not be required to have emergency escape and rescue openings provided that the basement has one of the following:
 
a. One means of egress and one emergency escape and rescue opening.
 
b. Two means of egress.))