WASHINGTON SURVEYING AND RATING BUREAU
AGENDA Who we are What we do Why we do it How PC gradings are developed Grading topics How PC gradings are published
WHO WE ARE Rating Bureau Starting our 102 th Year Independent Not-for-Profit Public Service Institution Managed and domiciled in WA Licensed and Regulated by OIC Primarily funded through Insurance Companies Assessments
WHAT WE DO File Rules, Rates, and Forms: Farm Commercial Fire and Allied Lines Business owners HPR Dwelling and Homeowners Insurance Conduct Inspections: Evaluate commercial buildings to develop and publish loss costs Database of buildings contains underwriting information and is available to all underwriters to help evaluate risk Evaluate sprinkler systems and other fire protection systems Produce reports on inspected properties Evaluate Fire Defenses and Building Codes: Develop and publish comparative Protection Class (PC) ratings Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule (BCEGS) Administration of Codes Their staffing training, expertise and experience How effective they are in enforcing building codes
WHAT WE DO History Became the Washington Surveying and Rating Bureau in 1911, but operated under other names since 1906 In 1911 became involved in Protection Class Grading 1909 NBFU
WHAT WE DO WSRB Services PC Evaluations Protection Class Evaluations A grading of the fire protection/suppression capabilities of a community Used to determine the Protection Class (PC) Rating of properties in the community The PC Rating of the property is then used by insurance companies to help set fire insurance premiums
WHY WE DO IT Protection Class What is it? Community Grading - A numerical classification of 1 through 10 representing the fire protection capabilities in the community Sets upper limit on PC Rating PC Rating of buildings determined by taking community grading and applying hydrant and fire station distance relationship rules Allows fair and consistent insurance pricing Used by most insurance carriers
Fire Burning Cost WHY WE DO IT 0.120% Fire Burning Cost by PC 0.100% 0.080% 0.060% 0.040% 0.020% 0.000% 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Protection Class
Change from Base WHY WE DO IT 2.5 Homeowner's Policy Change by Protection Class 2 1.5 1 0.5 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Protection Class
Differential by Protection Class WHY WE DO IT 2.50 Change in Commercial Loss Costs by Protection Class 2.00 1.50 1.00 0.50 0.00 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Protection Class
How PC GRADINGS ARE DEVELOPED Protection Class Schedule Community Grading - determined by applying the grading schedule Schedule updated many times over the years Grading schedule uses: Point system Minimum criteria for communities w/o water supply
How PC GRADINGS ARE DEVELOPED Community Protection Class What We Evaluate Old New 1. Water Supplies: 39% 35% 2. Fire Department: 39% 40% 3. Emergency Communications: 9% 9% 4. Fire Safety Control: 13% 16%
GRADING TOPICS Water Supplies Adequacy of Water Supply Required fire flow vs. Available fire flow Distribution of Hydrants Hydrants Size, Type and Installation Hydrants Inspection and Condition Arrangement, Operation, and Maintenance of Water System
GRADING TOPICS Fire Department Apparatus pumpers & ladder trucks Equipment hose, ground ladders, SCBA, nozzles, pump, radios, etc. Maintenance, Inspection & testing Distribution of Apparatus & Personnel Response to alarms
GRADING TOPICS Fire Department Department Staffing Firefighters Officers Certifications Training Fire Operations Standard Operating Procedures Incident Command
GRADING TOPICS Emergency Communications Communication Center Building infrastructure Communication Center Equipment CAD system Dispatch Circuits Emergency Power
GRADING TOPICS Emergency Communications Telecommunicators Training Certification & continuing ed. Number on duty NFPA answering & dispatching times
GRADING TOPICS Fire Safety Control Fire Code Enforcement a. Fire Marshal b. Fire Plan Review c. Permit Inspections d. Inspection of Existing Buildings e. Confidence testing of fire protection systems
GRADING TOPICS Fire Safety Control - New Public Fire Education Schools & Adult Education Fire Investigations Building Code Enforcement
GRADING TOPICS Protection Class What is it? Community Grading - A numerical classification of 1 through 10 representing the fire protection capabilities in the community Sets upper limit on PC Rating PC Rating of buildings determined by taking community grading and applying hydrant and fire station distance relationship rules
HOW PC GRADINGS ARE PUBLISHED PROTECTION Protection Classes for dwellings and class-rated commercial properties available through PROTECTION on WSRB website: GIS maintained by WSRB Located at www.wsrb.com PC s for specifically rated buildings available through WSRB s Loss Cost Search Tool at www.wsrb.com Customer Service available at (206) 217-0101
HOW PC GRADINGS ARE PUBLISHED PROTECTION on WSRB Website
HOW PC GRADINGS ARE PUBLISHED
WHAT CAN WE HELP YOU WITH? Contact Information Name: Robert Ferrell Phone: 206-217-WSRB (9772) Fax: 206-217-WFAX (9329) Customer Service: 206-217-0101 Direct Phone: 509-228-8062 E-Mail: robert.ferrell@wsrb.com Web access: www.wsrb.com