WSR 14-08-090
EMERGENCY RULES
BUILDING CODE COUNCIL
[Filed April 1, 2014, 4:42 p.m., effective April 1, 2014, 4:42 p.m.]
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: This rule change will ease a significant financial burden that was placed on 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 requirements for manual fire alarm systems. This rule will raise that number to fifty or fewer. It will also specify 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 rule will replace WSR 14-07-060 filed on March 14, 2014, which contained a typographical error.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 51-54A-0907.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 19.27.031, 19.27.074.
Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest.
Reasons for this Finding: The 2012 Fire Code places an undue financial hardship on school districts and small Group E daycare centers. The amendment provides an adequate level of safety as determined by the national standard for 2015. The 2012 Fire Code had the consequence of an increased scope that was not justified.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: April 1, 2014.
C. Ray Allshouse
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.
EXCEPTION:
1. A manual fire alarm system is not required in Group E occupancies with an occupant load of 50 or less.
2. Emergency voice/alarm communication systems meeting the requirements of Section 907.5.2.2 and installed in accordance with Section 907.6 shall not be required in Group E occupancies with occupant loads of 100 or less, provided that activation of the manual fire alarm system initiates an approved occupant notification signal in accordance with Section 907.5.
3. Manual fire alarm boxes are not required in Group E occupancies where all of the following apply:
3.1 Interior corridors are protected by smoke detectors.
3.2 Auditoriums, cafeterias, gymnasiums and similar areas are protected by heat detectors or other approved detection devices.
3.3 Shops and laboratories involving dusts or vapors are protected by heat detectors or other approved detection devices.
4. Manual fire alarm boxes shall not be required in Group E occupancies where the building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, the emergency voice/alarm communication system will activate on sprinkler water flow and manual activation.
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.
EXCEPTION:
In boarding homes licensed by the state of Washington, manual fire alarm boxes in resident sleeping areas shall not be required at exits if located at all constantly attended staff locations, provided such staff locations are visible, continuously accessible, located on each floor, and positioned so no portion of the story exceeds a horizontal travel distance of 200 feet to a manual fire alarm box.