WSR 16-16-046

PROPOSED RULES

BUILDING CODE COUNCIL

[Filed July 26, 2016, 4:01 p.m.]

Original Notice.

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 16-12-011 and 16-12-002.

Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: The subject of this rule is Group E and Group I-4 emergency alarms. This rule making proposal is filed in response to a legislative directive. The purpose is to eliminate current rules regarding emergency voice alarm communication system requirements in Group E and Group I-4 facilities. This action is taken to modify WAC 51-54A-0907 and 51-50-0907 at the direction of the 2016 Washington state legislature under a budget proviso; the legislature found that certain alarm requirements were redundant and/or duplicative of other system technology, and create a financial burden on school districts and Group I-4 facilities across the state.

Hearing Location(s): Spokane Fire Department Training Center, 1618 North Rebecca Street, Spokane, WA 99217, on September 9, 2016, at 10 a.m.; and at the Department of Enterprise Services, Olympia, Washington 98504, on October 14, 2016, at 10 a.m.

Date of Intended Adoption: November 18, 2016.

Submit Written Comments to: Steve Simpson, Council Chair, P.O. Box 91449, Olympia, WA 98504-1449, e-mail sbcc@ga.wa.gov, fax (360) 586-5366, by October 21, 2016.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Tim Nogler, council staff by August 25, 2016, (360) 407-9280.

Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The purpose of this rule-making proposal is to eliminate certain current requirements for emergency voice alarms in the Fire Code, chapter 51-54A WAC, and the Building Code, chapter 51-50 WAC; under the proposed rules, Group E schools and certain I-4 care facilities would no longer be required to install emergency voice alarm systems in their facilities.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: The proposed WAC modification is required due to a budget proviso issued under Section 6012, chapter 35, Laws of 2016. The proviso orders the state building code council to modify current rules related to emergency voice alarm systems in order to avoid unnecessary duplication of infrastructure installation and reduce school construction costs funded through the school construction assistance program in the budget. It specifically states that the council rule-making action must ensure that buildings classified as E occupancies, as defined in the state building code, are not required to install emergency voice alarm systems as defined in the 2012 IFC and IBC section 907.2.3.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 19.27 RCW.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Name of Proponent: Washington state legislature, 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 building Officials, local jurisdiction address.

No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. This rule making is required by legislative action. Any impact on school districts would be positive, in that they would no longer need to purchase/install certain automatic voice activated alarms. This would also be true for Group I-4 facilities.

A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. This measure was passed by the legislature; any anticipated impact would have been addressed at that level; no fiscal note was requested or prepared to assess the potential impacts.

June 10, 2016

Steve Simpson

Chair

AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 16-03-064, filed 1/19/16, effective 7/1/16)

WAC 51-50-0907 Section 907—Fire alarm and detection systems.

[F] 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.


EXCEPTIONS:	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.)) Reserved.
	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.)) all of the following apply:
	4.1 The building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
	4.2 The notification appliances will activate on sprinkler water flow.
	4.3 Manual activation is provided from a normally occupied location.

[F] 907.2.6 Group I. A manual fire alarm system that activates the occupant notification system shall be installed in Group I occupancies. An automatic smoke detection system that notifies the occupant notification system shall be provided in accordance with Sections 907.2.6.1, 907.2.6.2, 907.2.6.3.3 and 907.2.6.4.


EXCEPTIONS:	1. Manual fire alarm boxes in resident or patient sleeping areas of Group I-1 and I-2 occupancies shall not be required at exits if located at nurses' control stations or other constantly attended staff locations, provided such stations are visible and continually accessible and that travel distances required in Section 907.4.2 are not exceeded.
	2. Occupant notification systems are not required to be activated where private mode signaling installed in accordance with NFPA 72 is approved by the fire code official.

[F] 907.2.6.1 Group I-1. An automatic smoke detection system shall be installed in corridors, waiting areas open to corridors and habitable spaces other than sleeping units and kitchens. The system shall be activated in accordance with Section 907.4.


EXCEPTIONS:	1. For Group I-1 Condition 1 occupancies, smoke detection in habitable spaces is not required where the facility is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
	2. Smoke detection is not required for exterior balconies.

[F] 907.2.6.4 Group I-4 occupancies. 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)) 907.5 and installed in accordance with Section 907.6 shall be installed in Group I-4 occupancies. When automatic sprinkler systems or smoke detectors are installed, such systems or detectors shall be connected to the building fire alarm system.


EXCEPTION((S)):	((1.)) A manual fire alarm system is not required in Group I-4 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 I-4 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.))

907.5.2.1.2 Maximum sound pressure. The maximum sound pressure level for audible alarm notification appliances shall be 110 dBA at the minimum hearing distance from the audible appliance. For systems operating in public mode, the maximum sound pressure level shall not exceed 30 dBA over the average ambient sound level. Where the average ambient noise is greater than 95 dBA, visible alarm notification appliances shall be provided in accordance with NFPA 72 and audible alarm notification appliances shall be required.

907.10 NICET: National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies.

907.10.1 Scope. This section shall apply to new and existing fire alarm systems.

907.10.2 Design review. All construction documents shall be reviewed by a NICET III in fire alarms or a licensed professional engineer (PE) in Washington prior to being submitted for permitting. The reviewing professional shall submit a stamped, signed, and dated letter; or a verification method approved by the local authority having jurisdiction indicating the system has been reviewed and meets or exceeds the design requirements of the state of Washington and the local jurisdiction. (Effective July 1, 2017.)

907.10.3 Testing/maintenance. All inspection, testing, maintenance and programing not defined as "electrical construction trade" by chapter 19.28 RCW shall be completed by a NICET II in fire alarms. (Effective July 1, 2017.)

Reviser's note: The brackets and enclosed material in the text of the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appear in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.

AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 16-03-055, filed 1/16/16, effective 7/1/16)

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)) 907.5 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.


EXCEPTIONS:	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.)) Reserved.
	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.)) all of the following apply:
	4.1 The building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
	4.2 The notification appliances will activate on sprinkler water flow.
	4.3 Manual activation is provided from a normally occupied location.

907.2.6 Group I. A manual fire alarm system that activates the occupant notification system shall be installed in Group I occupancies. An automatic smoke detection system that notifies the occupant notification system shall be provided in accordance with Sections 907.2.6.1, 907.2.6.2, 907.2.6.3.3 and 907.2.6.4.


EXCEPTIONS:	1. Manual fire alarm boxes in resident or patient sleeping areas of Group I-1 and I-2 occupancies shall not be required at exits if located at nurses' control stations or other constantly attended staff locations, provided such stations are visible and continually accessible and that travel distances required in Section 907.4.2 are not exceeded.
	2. Occupant notification systems are not required to be activated where private mode signaling installed in accordance with NFPA 72 is approved by the fire code official.

907.2.6.1 Group I-1. An automatic smoke detection system shall be installed in corridors, waiting areas open to corridors and habitable spaces other than sleeping units and kitchens. The system shall be activated in accordance with Section 907.4.


EXCEPTIONS:	1. For Group I-1 Condition 1 occupancies, smoke detection in habitable spaces is not required where the facility is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
	2. Smoke detection is not required for exterior balconies.

907.2.6.4 Group I-4 occupancies. 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)) 907.5 and installed in accordance with Section 907.6 shall be installed in Group I-4 occupancies. When automatic sprinkler systems or smoke detectors are installed, such systems or detectors shall be connected to the building fire alarm system.


EXCEPTION((S)):	((1.)) A manual fire alarm system is not required in Group I-4 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 I-4 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.))

907.10 NICET: National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies.

907.10.1 Scope. This section shall apply to new and existing fire alarm systems.

907.10.2 Design review: All construction documents shall be reviewed by a NICET III in fire alarms or a licensed professional engineer (PE) in Washington prior to being submitted for permitting. The reviewing professional shall submit a stamped, signed, and dated letter; or a verification method approved by the local authority having jurisdiction indicating the system has been reviewed and meets or exceeds the design requirements of the state of Washington and the local jurisdiction (effective July 1, 2017).

907.10.3 Testing/maintenance: All inspection, testing, maintenance and programing not defined as "electrical construction trade" by chapter 19.28 RCW shall be completed by a NICET II in fire alarms (effective July 1, 2017).