SECTION 3308 OWNER’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR FIRE PROTECTION

3308.1 Program superintendent. The owner shall designate a person to be the fire prevention program superintendent who shall be responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of a written plan establishing a fire prevention program at the project site applicable throughout all phases of the construction, repair, alteration or demolition work and ensure that it is carried out through completion of the project. The fire prevention program superintendent shall have the authority to enforce the provisions of this chapter and other provisions as necessary to secure the intent of this chapter. Where guard service is provided, the superintendent shall be responsible for the guard service.

3308.2 Prefire plans. The fire prevention program superintendent shall develop and maintain an approved prefire plan in cooperation with the fire chief. Prefire plans for buildings exceeding 50,000 s.f. shall be approved prior to the issuance of the building permit. The fire chief and the fire code official shall be notified of changes affecting the utilization of information contained in such prefire plans.

3308.3 Training. Training of responsible personnel in the use of fire protection equipment shall be the responsibility of the fire prevention program superintendent.

3308.4 Fire protection devices. The fire prevention program superintendent shall determine that all fire protection equipment is maintained and serviced in accordance with this code. The quantity and type of fire protection equipment shall be approved.

3308.5 Hot work operations. The fire prevention program superintendent shall be responsible for supervising the permit system for hot work operations in accordance with Chapter 35.

3308.6 Impairment of fire protection systems. Impairments to any fire protection system shall be in accordance with Section 901.

3308.7 Temporary covering of fire protection devices. Coverings placed on or over fire protection devices to protect them from damage during construction processes shall be immediately removed upon the completion of the construction processes in the room or area in which the devices are installed.

3308.7.1 Smoke detectors and smoke alarms.

Smoke detectors and smoke alarms located in an area where airborne construction dust is expected shall be covered to prevent exposure to dust or shall be temporarily removed. Smoke detectors and alarms that were removed shall be replaced upon conclusion of dust-producing work. Smoke detectors and smoke alarms that were covered shall be inspected and cleaned, as necessary, upon conclusion of dust-producing work.

3308.8 Job shacks and other temporary structures. Job shacks and other temporary structures located within or less than 20’ from the permanent building shall be:

• Constructed of non-combustible materials or 1-hour fire-resistive construction.

• Shall not be equipped with fuel fired heaters.

• Shall be equipped with monitored fire alarm system when located below grade.

• Shall not function as offices unless protected with automatic sprinkler systems.

3308.10 Additional Requirements for wood-frame buildings more than 50,000 s.f. in area.

3308.10.1 Job Site Security. The job site shall be secured with controlled access once above grade combustible construction has begun together with off hours guard service, motion-controlled surveillance or both.

3308.10.2 Construction mitigations for wood frame buildings exceeding 80,000 s.f. when exposure exists within 60' of a building under construction. The exterior wall of the building under construction shall be covered with 5/8-inch gypsum sheathing to include windows, doors or other openings until interior framing members have been covered with gypsum board or their finish materials.

For the purpose of measuring total square footage of wood framing, any adjacent on-going wood frame construction is considered to be within the project when adjacent structures are separated by less than sixty (60) feet of open air.

Exception: A mitigation plan developed by a Washington State Licensed Fire Protection Engineer. The mitigation plan may rely on temporary, permanent and/or active measures.

3308.10.3 Construction mitigations for wood frame buildings exceeding three hundred fifty thousand square feet; or two hundred thousand square feet when the building exceeds fifty feet in height:

Mitigating fire protection barriers consisting of at least one layer of 5/8-inch gypsum board or other equivalent fire resistive materials shall be installed such that the mitigating fire protection barrier(s) enclose area(s) of not more than fifty thousand square feet.

For the purpose of measuring total square footage of wood framing, any adjacent on-going wood frame construction is considered to be within the project when adjacent structures are separated by less than sixty (60) feet of open air.

Exception: A mitigation plan developed by a Washington State Licensed Fire Protection Engineer. The mitigation plan may rely on temporary, permanent and/or active measures.