What Is WABO? The Technical Guide for Washington Adult Family Homes

Quick Answer

What does the WABO Adult Family Home building inspection checklist cover?

The checklist addresses resident bedroom exits and classifications, emergency escape windows, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, doors and hardware, ramps and landings, stairs and handrails, bathroom grab bars, shower dimensions, and fire access and water supply. A passed checklist confirms the building meets AFH code requirements, but it is not the same as a DSHS license — DSHS separately decides whether the provider and home qualify for licensing.

The checklist is the code standard an adult family home has to meet. This guide walks the checklist item by item, explains the bedroom classifications that drive most of the cost, and flags the items that most often cause delays.

Common questions

What are Type S and Type NS bedroom classifications?

Type S rooms require stairs to exit and have stricter egress requirements; Type NS rooms exit at grade level. Classification determines which residents may occupy the room and what window and door requirements apply.

What most often delays a WABO inspection?

Egress window size and sill height in sleeping rooms, ramp slope and handrails, bathroom clearances, and missing or non-interconnected alarms.

About the author: David Stein is a Washington State licensed real estate broker (eXp Realty, license #133972) and a Washington State certified residential appraiser (Stein Appraisal, license #1702080), with more than 20 years of experience in both disciplines. More about David.

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