Bill Text: NJ A3278 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Requires fire suppression systems in new single and two family homes.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-12-15 - Assembly Floor Amendment Passed (Wisniewski) [A3278 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-A3278-Amended.html
ASSEMBLY, No. 3278
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
214th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman JOHN S. WISNIEWSKI
District 19 (Middlesex)
Assemblyman JERRY GREEN
District 22 (Middlesex, Somerset and Union)
Assemblywoman MILA M. JASEY
District 27 (Essex)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblymen Scalera, Diegnan, Giblin, Caputo and Assemblywoman Evans
SYNOPSIS
Requires fire suppression systems in new single and two family homes.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee on November 21, 2011, with amendments.
An Act concerning new home fire safety and supplementing the "State Uniform Construction Code Act," P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "New Home Fire Safety Act."
2. As used in this act:
"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Community Affairs.
"Fire suppression system" means an engineered or pre-engineered system that suppresses a fire using an extinguishing agent distributed through fixed piping and nozzles that are activated either manually or automatically. The system may include containers, nozzles, controls, automatic detection, manual releases, equipment shut downs, and alarms. In such systems, an extinguishing agent is discharged through fixed pipes and nozzles into or over a potential fire hazard.
"Manufactured home" means a unit of housing manufactured in accordance with the standards promulgated for a manufactured home by the Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to the "National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974," Pub.L.93-383 (42 U.S.C. s. 5401 et seq.).
"New home" means a structure 1[not previously occupied as of the] for which a construction permit has been issued after the1 effective date of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) and intended for residential use by not more than two households, but shall not mean a manufactured home.
1[3. A certificate of occupancy shall not be issued to any new one- or two-family home until the officer or agency responsible for its issuance has determined that the new home is equipped with a fire suppression system that conforms to the requirements promulgated by the Commissioner, pursuant to the State Uniform Construction Code and section 4 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).]1
13. a. In any case where a change of occupancy of any building subject to the requirements of section 1 of P.L.1991, c.92 (C.52:27D-198.1) is subject to a municipal ordinance requiring the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, certificate of inspection, or other documentary certification of compliance with laws and regulations relating to safety, healthfulness, and upkeep of the premises, no such certificate shall be issued until the municipal officer or agency responsible for its issuance has received a certification from the enforcing agency that the new home is equipped with a fire suppression system that conforms to the requirements promulgated by the commissioner, pursuant to the State Uniform Construction Code and section 4 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
b. In the case of a change of occupancy of any building subject to the requirements of section 1 of P.L.1991, c.92 (C.52:27D-198.1) to which the provisions of subsection a. of this section do not apply, no owner shall sell, lease, or otherwise permit occupancy for residential purposes within that building without first obtaining a certification from the enforcing agency that the new home is equipped with a fire suppression system that conforms to the requirements promulgated by the Commissioner, pursuant to the State Uniform Construction Code and section 4 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
c. The local governing body having jurisdiction over the enforcing agency or, where the Division of Fire Safety is the enforcing agency, the commissioner, may establish a fee which covers the cost of inspection and of issuance of the certificate; however, if an inspection is being made and a certificate is being issued evidencing compliance with section 2 of P.L.1991, c.92 (C.52:27D-198.2), the fee authorized therein shall cover the costs of complying with this section.1
4. The commissioner shall 1[, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), promulgate rules and regulations, requiring] modify the building subcode of the State Uniform Construction Code to require1 the installation of fire suppression systems in all new one- and two family homes pursuant to P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill). 1The modification shall require all fire suppression systems to be in compliance with subchapter 10 of chapter 10 of Title 7 of the New Jersey Administrative Code regarding Physical Connections and Cross Connection Control by Containment, and shall require the installation of separate shut-off valves and a meter for measuring water usage dedicated to fire suppression.1
5. This act shall take effect on the first day of the seventh month next following the date of enactment of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) and shall not apply to new homes built as part of a development plan or building permit approved on or before the effective date of this act.
