BILL REQ. #:  H-0678.3 

Read first time 01/25/2007.   Referred to Committee on Commerce & Labor.

     AN ACT Relating to fire safety standards; and amending RCW 43.43.938.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 43.43.938 and 1995 c 369 s 18 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Wherever the term state fire marshal appears in the Revised Code of Washington or the Washington Administrative Code it shall mean the director of fire protection.
     (2) The chief of the Washington state patrol shall appoint an officer who shall be known as the director of fire protection. The board, after consulting with the chief of the Washington state patrol, shall prescribe qualifications for the position of director of fire protection. The board shall submit to the chief of the Washington state patrol a list containing the names of three persons whom the board believes meet its qualifications. If requested by the chief of the Washington state patrol, the board shall submit one additional list of three persons whom the board believes meet its qualifications. The appointment shall be from one of the lists of persons submitted by the board.
     (3) The director of fire protection may designate one or more deputies and may delegate to those deputies his or her duties and authorities as deemed appropriate.
     (4) The director of fire protection, in accordance with the policies, objectives, and priorities of the fire protection policy board, shall prepare a biennial budget pertaining to fire protection services. Such biennial budget shall be submitted as part of the Washington state patrol's budget request.
     (5) The director of fire protection, shall implement and administer, within constraints established by budgeted resources, the policies, objectives, and priorities of the board and all duties of the chief of the Washington state patrol that are to be carried out through the director of fire protection. Such administration shall include negotiation of agreements with the state board for community and technical colleges, the higher education coordinating board, and the state colleges and universities as provided in RCW ((43.63A.320)) 43.43.934. Programs covered by such agreements shall include, but not be limited to, planning curricula, developing and delivering instructional programs and materials, and using existing instructional personnel and facilities. Where appropriate, such contracts shall also include planning and conducting instructional programs at the state fire service training center.
     (6) The chief of the Washington state patrol, through the director of fire protection, shall seek the advice of the board in carrying out his or her duties under law.
     (7) By December 31, 2007, the director of fire protection must adopt by rule:
     (a) A fire safety standard for upholstered furniture that is substantially the same as the provisions of the 2002 draft revised technical bulletin, CAL 117+, for "Requirements, Test Procedure and Apparatus for Testing the Flame and Smolder Resistance of Upholstered Furniture," published by the state of California, department of consumer affairs, bureau of home furnishings and thermal insulation;
     (b) A fire safety standard for electronic equipment within the field of audio/video information technology and communication technology that is substantially the same as the provisions of the international electrotechnical commission's document entitled "IEC 62368-f3 Ed 1.0: Audio/Video, Information and Communication Technology Equipment - Safety Requirements" (circulation date December 15, 2006), which incorporates external ignition protection as specified in the technical specification (IEC TS62441), published December 2006.