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Last April, WSAFM submitted an emergency rule to the State Building Code Council.  The issue pertains to the increase in density of single family lots to address the “housing crisis”.  In particular, in the number of dwelling units on a single family lot are increasing and lot widths are being reduced to optimize the property as much as possible.  This has resulted in an unintended circumstance as distances between structures and property lines can be as small as 3 feet.  This width needs to support access to units at the center of the property, which results in access doors being located on the side of buildings that do not face the street or alley.  3 feet is not enough space to properly remove a patient in a gurney or put up ladders for rescue or rooftop venting.

The proposal requests a minimum 5 foot clearance between the building and property line where building access is on the side.  The distance is reduced to 4 feet if the building has fire sprinklers.  The logic here is that fire operations would not be as significant for a building that has fire sprinklers. 

The SBCC introduced the proposal at the July 25^th meeting. SBCC directed the proposal be forwarded to the BFRW Committee for further consideration.

The SBCC then directed that the proposal be forwarded to the BFRW Committee for consideration to revise the language and be brought back to the Council. The BFRW recommended a Special Council Committee be formed. 

This was returned to the SBCC for consideration at their September 26^th meeting. The Council voted to create a Special Council Committee. Dan Young is the chair of this committee. 

The committee met for the first time on October 24th. As of now, it appears this proposal will not make it into the 2024 code cycle but will be further pursued for inclusion in the 2027 code cycle. 

As this progresses, we will provide updates.

DNR WUI Wildfire Hazard and Risk Mapping Steering Committee

To comply with the requirements of SB 6120 of the 2024 Legislative session, DNR established the WUI Hazard and Risk Mapping Steering Committee.  Two Fire Marshal positions were included.  Representing Cities is Dave Kokot from the City of Spokane and representing Counties is Randy Collings from Mason County.   The Committee has met several times with the goal to complete the maps by the end of 2025. 

To date, there has been a considerable amount of discussion about how the maps could be used, and it has become clear that the maps are more oriented towards a fire response and not any specific designation of a wildland urban interface.  The existing WUI map that DNR previously produced is not part of this effort.  The hazard and risk mapping is going to be a  single GIS map with multiple layers.  The data used for the layers is based on the fire return interval (50 years very high, 100 years high), flame height (4’ is currently being evaluated), and considering risk based on likelihood, intensity, and consequences of wildfires to specific values such as people, property, agriculture and forests.  The map density looks to be on scale (100-300 meter blocks) that will not be done by parcel (which is a concern).  It is anticipated that the hazard/risk map will be updated on a 3-4 year cycle.

There are a number of unknowns still at this time.  In particular, how local jurisdictions will be able to edit or communicate changes to their areas.

The Committee also looked at the Oregon mapping that was recently done.  Their end goal was very similar to our goal, but it was tabled right after it was announced.  They indicated 6 takeaways that the Committee also has concerns about:

1. Public outreach/trust
2. Mismatch of scales to other maps
3. No input of local land types or local knowledge
4. Confusing appeals process
5. No credit for mitigation
6. Implications to insurance rates

One question that did come up is whether or not these meetings are considered public.  The participation so far has been only DNR and the Committee members.  There was not a clear response to that question. 

We have had a few presentations of what existing jurisdictions have done for their mapping efforts.  It has become obvious that the directive to use the DNR maps may override the local mapping, which has become an item of concern from the Committee, but that is the language of the bill. 

The meetings will continue and a final map will be provided.  The usefulness for the WUI is definitely in question as some Committee members are seeing us follow in the footsteps of Oregon.  As this progresses, we will provide more updates. 

The WSAFM Board and Legislative Committee are requesting membership input on our draft priorities for the State legislative session.  These priorities will guide our advocacy on your behalf during the 2026 session in Olympia.  Please provide feedback to Legislative Chair Karen Grove karen.grove@seattle.gov, by December 8, 2025.  Thank you for your input and be safe.

We are now roughly halfway through the 2025 Legislative Session.  WSAFM’s Legislative Committee has been monitoring and advocating on many bills, by providing written, virtual and in person testimony at hearings, and working with WABO, AWC, WFC and other partners.  Two important cut offs are now behind us, with a third occurring this week.  As a result, we have more clarity on bills that are moving forward this year and which are "dead".   Given the projected budget deficit, bills with large fiscal notes have had a harder time moving than those with little or no fiscal impact. 

Bills that are moving forward include several bills that WSAFM supported and some that we have concerns about. Our advocacy has had a positive impact this year, thank you to our Legislative Committee, our lobbyist, and the input from WSAFM membership.

Below is a summary of some key items of interest. Click here for links to bill text and latest status:  Washington State Legislature

Moving, WSAFM is supporting:  HB 1628 Fire Service Policy Board, SB 5419/HB 1793 Fire Loss Data to OIC, HB 1539 OIC/DNR wildfire mitigation and resiliency standards work group, HB 1550/SB 5586 Electric vehicle batteries

Moving, WSAFM has concerns or is opposed:  HB 1183/SB 5156 Smaller elevator sizes in R-2s up to 6 stories/24 units, HB 1757 Conversion to Residential, HB 1443 Mobile dwellings

Appear to not be moving, however WSAFM had supported:  HB 1571 Occupational disease/heart, SB 5624 Electric vehicle fires (follow on to 2024’s SB 5812 study and recommendations)

Appear to not be moving, WSAFM had concerns with the legislation:  HB 1654 Enforcement of the International Fire Code, SB 5429 SBCC Membership, HB 1254 WUI

The Washington State Association of Fire Marshals priorities and legislative tracker are available on our Legislative Resources page. 

New Bill on WUI Code HB 1254 

A bill has been introduced that would more or less undo SB 6120 from last year, and lead to a more typical situation where SBCC could adopt the WUI with State amendments for all of WA.  Currently with SB 6120, only RCW 19.27.560 applies statewide, however local jurisdictions can adopt the full international WUI code if they want.  Please let WSAFM know if you have comments.

DNR Wildfire Risk Mapping Process Preview

DNR is convening a steering committee to spend the next 16 months creating wildfire risk maps in response to SB 6120.  WSAFM will have two seats on the steering committee, one representing counties and one representing cities.  Please see this slide deck for more information.

In 2024, WSAFM testified in favor a SSB 5812 that directed the State Fire Marshal’s Office to convene an expert working group and report to the legislature regarding fire fighter safety and training in response to EV fires, as well as best practices for the tow industry and protecting the environment. 

The resulting "Electric Vehicle Fires Study" has now been submitted to the legislature.  It contains several recommendations, summarized below, with a total cost of approximately $9m.  While the full ask may not receive funding, this is an important step forward in state-wide preparations for EV fires and fire fighter and community safety.

Recommendations:

• Establish a training program in the State FMO and disseminate a list of free and no-cost national training options to all agencies in WA by Sept 2025 to ensure all FF's receive training.
• Develop an interagency checklist to guide EV fire responses including hazmat implications.
• Disseminate information on national best science regarding appropriate PPE for these fires:  SCBA , particulate hoods, and turn out gear, decontamination.
• Provide one-time funding to help small, rural and volunteer fire agencies to purchase particulate hoods and respiratory protection, as well as recommendation for a replacement funding strategy.
• Provide training and PPE to tow industry and WSP. 
• Strengthen notification procedures between first responders and Ecology regarding hazmat; and recommendations for further efforts related to understanding impacts on human health, environment, and clean up responsibilities.

WSAFM participated on the expert working group, which also included fire operations personnel from several departments, tow industry, and representatives from State Ecology and Commerce.  The result is a high-quality and relevant set of recommendations for WA grounded in the best national practices and science.

WSAFM’s Legislative Committee is seeking member input for our 2025 State Legislative Priorities.  The draft priorities are available here: Washington State Association of Fire Marshals - Legislative Resources.  To provide input please email your comments to Legislative Chair Karen.Grove@seattle.gov.  As required by the State Constitution, the session will begin the second Monday of January.  Because 2025 is the start of a biennium, this session will run for 105-days. 

On March 15th, the State Building Code Council (SBCC) took emergency action to remove an error to the State amendments of the 2021 International Fire Code.  Section 308.1.4, Open-flame cooking devices, has not been adopted by the State since the adoption of the International Codes.  The amendment was inadvertently removed from the published code.  The action of the SBCC has reinstated the amendment that IFC 308.1.4 is NOT ADOPTED.  If you have any questions, please contact Dave Kokot (dkokot@wsafm.com).

SB 6120 modified laws in Washington related to the Wildland Urban Interface Code (WUIC).  SB 6120 included emergency provisions and will take effect upon the Governor’s signature, which is expected to occur in mid-March 2024.  In order to start or continue enforcing the WUIC after this emergency rule takes effect, local jurisdictions should be aware of implementation recommendations from WSAFM.

Fellow Fire Marshals,

The Washington State Association of Fire Marshals (WSAFM) needs you to contact your legislator or your municipality’s lobbyist to ask for an amendment to be added to HB2071.

HB2071, as it is currently written, will exempt multiplex housing from the IBC and lessen the likelihood that sprinklers and other fire protection systems will be provided. The end goal of the legislation is to find ways to build multiplexes more affordably. The legislation states: “Allowing middle and multiplex housing to be built according to the standards of the international residential code will result in housing being easier to build and more affordable without sacrificing quality and safety. Therefore, the legislature intends to simplify the production of middle and multiplex housing by allowing more types of housing to use provisions of the international residential code.”

The legislation creates a Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for the purpose of recommending the additions or amendments to rules or codes that are necessary for the council to apply the Washington state residential code to multiplex housing. The legislation goes on to say that the TAG “must consider the life safety systems…….” WSAFM strongly believes that the language “must consider” needs to be replaced with “will include”. 

To find your legislative representation you can search here:  https://app.leg.wa.gov/Rosters/Members/House

House Bill 2071 Information

Timeline:  Let us know by Friday 2/7 if you are willing to get involved. WSAFM’s lobbyist is more than willing to assist you in your efforts. Contact Bryan McConaughy via e-mail at bryan@bmcconsulting.net and cc WSAFM Legislative Leads Dave Kokot dkokot@wsafm.com or Karen Grove karen.grove@seattle.gov.

Yours in service,

The Washington State Association of Fire Marshals