Statutes, codes, and regulations
Washington Administrative Code
Title 51 - Enterprise Services, Department of (Building Code Council)
Chapter 51-50 - State Building Code adoption and amendment of the 2021 edition of the International Building Code
Section 51-50-0903 - Section 903-Automatic sprinkler systems

Wash. Admin. Code § 51-50-0903

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Current through Register Vol. 25-01, January 1, 2025
Section 51-50-0903 - Section 903-Automatic sprinkler systems
903.2.1.3Group A-3. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout stories containing Group A-3 occupancies and throughout all stories from the Group A-3 occupancy to and including the levels of exit discharge serving that occupancy where one of the following conditions exists:
1. The fire area exceeds 12,000 square feet (1115 m2).
2. The fire area has an occupant load of 300 or more.
3. The fire area is located on a floor other than a level of exit discharge serving such occupancies.

EXCEPTION:

For fixed guideway transit and passenger rail system stations, an automatic sprinkler system shall be provided in accordance with Section 3116.

903.2.1.6Assembly occupancies on roofs. Where an occupied roof has an assembly occupancy with an occupant load exceeding 100 for Group A-2, and 300 for other Group A occupancies, the building shall be equipped with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2.

EXCEPTION:

Open parking garages of Type I or Type II construction.

903.2.1.8Nightclub. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout Group A-2 nightclubs as defined in this code.
903.2.3Group E. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for fire areas containing Group E occupancies where the fire area has an occupant load of 51 or more, calculated in accordance with Table 1004.5.

EXCEPTIONS:

1. Portable school classrooms with an occupant load of 50 or less calculated in accordance with Table 1004.5, provided that the aggregate area of any cluster of portable school classrooms does not exceed 6,000 square feet (557 m2); and clusters of portable school classrooms shall be separated as required by the building code; or

2. Portable school classrooms with an occupant load from 51 through 98, calculated in accordance with Table 1004.5, and provided with two means of direct independent exterior egress from each classroom in accordance with Chapter 10, and one exit from each class room shall be accessible, provided that the aggregate area of any cluster of portable classrooms does not exceed 6,000 square feet (557 m2); and clusters of portable school classrooms shall be separated as required by the building code; or

3. Fire areas containing day care and preschool facilities with a total occupant load of 100 or less located at the level of exit discharge where every room in which care is provided has not fewer than one exit discharge door.

903.2.6Group I. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings with a Group I fire area.

EXCEPTIONS:

1. An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.2 shall be permitted in Group I-1 Condition 1 facilities.

2. Where new construction house 16 persons receiving care, an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.2 shall be permitted for Group I-1, Condition 2, assisted living facilities licensed under chapter 388-78A WAC and residential treatment facilities licensed under chapter 246-337 WAC.

3. An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.2 shall be permitted in additions to existing buildings where both of the following situations are true:

3.1. The addition is made to a building previously approved as Group LC or Group R-2 that houses either an assisted living facility licensed under chapter 388-78A WAC or residential treatment facility licensed under chapter 246-337 WAC.

3.2. The addition contains spaces for 16 or fewer persons receiving care.

903.2.6.1Group I-4. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided in fire areas containing Group I-4 occupancies where the fire area has an occupant load of 51 or more, calculated in accordance with Table 1004.5.

EXCEPTIONS:

1. An automatic sprinkler system is not required for Group I-4 day care facilities with a total occupant load of 100 or less, and located at the level of exit discharge and where every room where care is provided has not fewer than one exterior exit door.

2. In buildings where Group I-4 day care is provided on levels other than the level of exit discharge, an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 shall be installed on the entire floor where care is provided, all floors between the level of care and the level of exit discharge and all floors below the level of exit discharge other than areas classified as an open parking garage.

903.2.8Group R. An automatic fire sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3 shall be provided throughout all buildings with a Group R fire area.

EXCEPTION:

Group R-1 if all of the following conditions apply:

1. The Group R fire area is no more than 500 square feet and is used for recreational use only.

2. The Group R fire area is only one story.

3. The Group R fire area does not include a basement.

4. The Group R fire area is no closer than 30 feet from another structure.

5. Cooking is not allowed within the Group R fire area.

6. The Group R fire area has an occupant load of no more than 8.

7. A hand held (portable) fire extinguisher is in every Group R fire area.

903.2.11Specific building areas and hazards. In all occupancies other than Group U, an automatic sprinkler system shall be installed for building design or hazards in the locations set forth in Sections 903.2.11.1 through 903.2.11.7.
903.2.11.1.3Basements. Where any portion of a basement is located more than 75 feet (22,860 mm) from openings required by Section 903.2.11.1, or where new walls, partitions or other similar obstructions are installed that increase the exit access travel distance to more than 75 feet, the basement shall be equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system.
903.2.11.7Relocatable buildings within buildings. Relocatable buildings or structures located within a building with an approved fire sprinkler system shall be provided with fire sprinkler protection within the occupiable space of the building and the space underneath the relocatable building.

EXCEPTIONS:

1. Sprinkler protection is not required underneath the building when the space is separated from the adjacent space by construction resisting the passage of smoke and heat and combustible storage will not be located there.

2. If the building or structure does not have a roof or ceiling obstructing the overhead sprinklers.

3. Construction trailers and temporary offices used during new building construction prior to occupancy.

4. Movable shopping mall kiosks with a roof or canopy dimension of less than 4 feet on the smallest side.

903.3.1.2NFPA 13R sprinkler systems.Automatic sprinkler systems in Group R occupancies up to and including four stories in height in buildings not exceeding 60 feet (18,288 mm) in height above grade plane shall be permitted to be installed throughout in accordance with NFPA 13R.

The number of stories of Group R occupancies constructed in accordance with Sections 510.2 and 510.4 shall be measured from the horizontal assembly creating separate buildings.

903.3.5.3Underground portions of fire protection system water supply piping. The installation or modification of an underground water main, public or private, supplying a water-based fire protection system shall be in accordance with NFPA 24 and chapter 18.160 RCW. Piping and appurtenances downstream of the first control valve on the lateral or service line from the distribution main to one-foot above finished floor shall be approved by the fire code official. Such underground piping shall be installed by a fire sprinkler system contractor licensed in accordance with chapter 18.160 RCW and holding either a Level U or a Level 3 license. For underground piping supplying systems installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.2, a Level 2, 3, or U licensed contractor is acceptable.

Wash. Admin. Code § 51-50-0903

Amended by WSR 14-24-089, Filed 12/1/2014, effective 5/1/2015
Amended by WSR 16-03-064, Filed 1/19/2016, effective 7/1/2016
Amended by WSR 20-01-090, Filed 12/12/2019, effective 7/1/2020
Amended by WSR 20-21-021, Filed 10/9/2020, effective 11/9/2020
Amended by WSR 22-13-094, Filed 6/14/2022, effective 7/1/2023
Amended by WSR 23-23-102, Filed 11/15/2023, effective 3/16/2024

Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. 13-04-067, § 51-50-0903, filed 2/1/13, effective 7/1/13. Statutory Authority: Chapter 19.27 RCW. 10-24-059, § 51-50-0903, filed 11/29/10, effective 7/1/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. 10-03-097, § 51-50-0903, filed 1/20/10, effective 7/1/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.190, 19.27.020, and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. 08-01-110, § 51-50-0903, filed 12/18/07, effective 4/1/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.020, and chapters 70.92, 19.27, and 34.05 RCW. 07-01-091, § 51-50-0903, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.020, 19.27.031, 19.27.074, and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. 05-24-070, § 51-50-0903, filed 12/5/05, effective 7/1/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. 04-01-108, § 51-50-0903, filed 12/17/03, effective 7/1/04.