Fire sprinkler requirements in Kennewick are set by the Washington State Building Code Council under Chapter 19.27 RCW: the Washington State Building Code (WAC 51-50, adopting the 2021 IBC), Residential Code (WAC 51-51, adopting the 2021 IRC), and Fire Code (WAC 51-54A, adopting the 2021 IFC). Washington amends IRC Section R313 at WAC 51-51-0313: sprinklers in detached one- and two-family dwellings are NOT required, but new townhouses must be sprinklered. Commercial and multifamily sprinkler triggers come from IFC Section 903.2.
Kennewick enforces the Washington State Building Code through KMC Chapter 15.08 (Building Code) and the Washington State Fire Code through KMC Chapter 15.30 (Fire Prevention Code). The State Building Code Act at Chapter 19.27 RCW gives the Washington State Building Code Council (SBCC) the authority to adopt and amend the I-Codes statewide. The relevant adoption WACs are 51-50 (IBC), 51-51 (IRC), 51-54A (IFC), and 51-52 (IFGC). Residential sprinkler history: the model 2021 IRC Section R313.1 would require sprinklers in all new detached one- and two-family dwellings, but Washington amends Section R313 at WAC 51-51-0313 to NOT adopt the one- and two-family sprinkler mandate. The townhouse provision at IRC R313.2 is adopted: new townhouses (three or more attached single-family units) must be sprinklered with either an NFPA 13D system or the IRC Section P2904 system. A recent amendment (WSR 23-02-058 and follow-up filings, effective March 15, 2024) clarified that water-filled sprinkler piping is allowed in the common wall between townhouse units. Commercial and multifamily sprinklers are governed by IBC Chapter 9 and IFC Section 903.2 as adopted by WAC 51-54A. Common Washington triggers include: Group A assembly occupancies at the 100/300-occupant thresholds in 903.2.1; Group B office buildings above 12,000 sq ft on one floor or 24,000 sq ft total in 903.2.2; all Group R-1 hotels regardless of size; all Group R-2 multifamily over 3 stories OR with more than 16 dwelling units (with Washington-specific thresholds reflecting the WAC adoption); all Group R-4 (residential care/assisted living) facilities; all Group M mercantile above 12,000 sq ft on one floor or 24,000 sq ft total; and any building where the highest occupied floor exceeds 55 feet above the lowest level of fire department access. The Kennewick Building Safety Division (509-585-4276) issues building permits and reviews sprinkler plans through the standard plan-review process. Sprinkler drawings must be prepared by a Washington-licensed designer (Professional Engineer, Registered Architect, or NICET-certified designer to the extent permitted) and the installer must hold the appropriate L&I fire-protection contractor license. Acceptance tests are witnessed by the Kennewick Fire Marshal under IFC Section 901.5.
Installing or modifying a fire sprinkler system without a permit is a violation of WAC 51-54A and KMC Chapters 15.08 and 15.30, enforceable under Chapter 19.27 RCW with civil and criminal penalties. Operating a building required to be sprinklered without functional sprinklers is an IFC Section 109 violation; the Kennewick Fire Marshal may issue a Notice of Violation and, for life-safety risks, an order to vacate. Disabling or tampering with a required sprinkler system can also be charged criminally under RCW 9A.48.080 (Malicious mischief in the second degree) and may trigger civil-damages liability if a fire later occurs. An unlicensed fire-protection contractor may also face L&I administrative penalties.
Kennewick, WA
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