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When a project sponsor desires a deviation from construction requirements contained in Washington State Administrative Codes pertaining exclusively to health and residential care facilities, they may initiate a request for exemption from the specific applicable regulations. 

Department of Health (DOH)

• Hospitals
• Adult Residential Rehabilitation Centers
• Alcoholism Treatment Facilities 
• Childbirth Centers
• Private Psychiatric and Alcoholism Hospitals 
• Residential Treatment Facilities for Psychiatrically Impaired Children and Youth

Exemptions for the above Department of Health licensed facilities shall be directed from the facility administrator to:

Steve Saxe
Director, Facilities and Services Licensing
P.O. Box 47852
Olympia, WA 98504-7852

• Boarding Homes 
• Nursing Homes

Exemptions for the above Department of Social and Health Services licensed facilities shall be directed to:

Joyce Stockwell
Director, Residential Care Services Division
P.O. Box 45600
Olympia, WA 98504-5600

Requests for exemption from Washington Administrative Code (WAC) requirements. 

NOTE: It is recommended that sponsors seek a conference with construction review services prior to the initiation of the exemption request. Alternative solutions may be provided that would negate the need for an exemption request.

• Administrator or Board of Directors from the facility shall address an exemption request to the appropriate department director.
• A separate letter must be submitted for each exemption request (i.e., multiple WACs cannot be addressed in one letter). 
• The intention of the WAC (as written) must be stated, as well as how the alternative the facility is suggesting meets the intent of the WAC (as written).
• Follow with an explanation as to why the facility cannot be designed in accordance with WAC regulations, and any circumstances that have a significant bearing on the request.
• This sequence is followed for each separate exemption specified in your request. Include all supportive information including but not limited to drawings and specifications. 
• The Director forwards the request to the CRS review team for analysis. The analysis is returned to the Director and contains a recommended position of support or nonsupport of the request. The licensing survey section of the Department participates in this review. 
• A letter of decision from DOH, Director of Facilities and Services Licensing, or DSHS, Residential Care Services, is sent to the sponsor. Copies are directed to the CRS review team and appropriate licensing survey team.

Requests and justifications for substitutions or alternate materials and methods are submitted in the same manner as exemptions. Current regulations provide for substitutions only in hospitals, nursing homes, and alcoholism treatment facilities.

Requests for exemptions from National Electric Code and/or WAC 296-46 requirements are submitted through the Department of Labor and Industries. 

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Washington State Department of Health
Construction Review Services
P.O. Box 47852
Olympia, WA 98504-7852
Phone: (360) 236-2944
Fax: (360) 236-2901 
email: fslcrs@doh.wa.gov

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Last Update : 07/10/2008 03:41 PM
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