[Marquis de Sod]

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Marijuana Processing and Extra
ction Facilities
Effective July 1, 2015, the
State Building Code Council
(SBCC) adopted an emergency rule,
WAC 51
-
54A
-
3800
to specify
requirements amending the International Fire Code dealing with marijuana processing and extraction facilities. Due to
these facilities’ use of flammable and combustible liquids for the liquid extraction process, building officials will require
these fac
ilities to provide an emergency power system, dedicated hazardous exhaust system and a continuous gas
detection system.
In addition
, specified electrical equipment must be interlocked with the gas detection system and
disabled when the gas
detecti
on system is activated.
The department of L&I cannot require these systems to be
installed, but similar to a fire alarm system, when the building official requires it, L&I will inspect to make sure it meets
NEC® and RCW 19.28 requirements.
These rules, alo
ng with other rulemaking proposals are open for public comment on
the
SBCC rulemaking page
of their website.
Comments must be received by close of business on October 23, 2015.
Summary
of the requirements of WAC 51
-
54A
-
3800
:
•
3802.4.3 Ventilation. Each marijuana extraction room shall be provided with a dedicated hazardous exhaust
system.
•
3802.4.6 Interlocks.
All electrical components within the extraction room shall be interlocked with the
hazardous exhaust system and when provided, the gas detection system.
•
3802.4.7 Emergency power for extraction process. An automatic emergency power source
(meeting the
requ
irements of NEC Article 700)
shall be provided with sufficient capacity to allow safe shutdown of the
process plus an additional 2 hours. The emergency power system shall supply the extraction room lighting,
ventilation system, gas detection system, emerge
ncy alarm system, and automatic fire extinguishing systems.
•
3802.6.2 The process using a flammable or combustible liquid shall be located within a hazardous exhaust fume
hood, rated for exhausting flammable vapors.