WAC 51-19-630   Property protection.  (1) Exterior walls shall have fire resistance and opening protection as set forth in the Building Code. This provision shall not apply to walls at right angles to the property line.

EXCEPTIONS:	(a) Where a fire-resistive rating greater than two hours is required for a building of any type of construction, existing noncombustible exterior walls having a fire resistive rating equivalent to two hours as determined by the building official may be accepted, provided:
	(i) The building is classified as a Group A, Division 3; Group B, Division 1 or Group B, Division 2 Occupancy; and
	(ii) The building does not exceed three stories in height; or
	(iii) The building shall be of heavy timber construction, and does not exceed five stories in height. (The state Building Code council recommends the use of Guideline 2 of the Uniform Code for Building Conservation as reference in determining fire resistive rating equivalency.)
	(b) Existing exterior walls shall be accepted if the occupancy is changed to a hazard group which is equal to or less than the existing occupancy as defined in Table No. VI-4.

     (2) New openings in exterior walls shall be protected as required by the Building Code. Existing, nonconforming openings shall be protected by fire assembly having a minimum three-fourth hour fire protection rating, and where operable be self-closing. When openings in the exterior walls are required to be protected due to distance from the property line, the sum of the area of such openings shall not exceed fifty percent of the total wall area in each story.

EXCEPTIONS:	(a) Protected openings shall not be required for Group R, Division 1 Occupancies which do not exceed three stories in height and which are located not less than three feet from the property line.
	(b) Where opening protection is required, an automatic fire extinguishing system throughout may be substituted for opening protection.
	(c) Opening protection may be omitted when the change of occupancy is to an equal or lower hazard classification in accordance with Table No. VI-2.
	(d) The building shall be of heavy timber construction, and does not exceed five stories in height.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.120 and 19.27.074. 91-01-103, § 51-19-630, filed 12/18/90, effective 7/1/91.]