Bill Text: NJ S3252 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: "New Townhouse Fire Safety Act"; requires automatic fire sprinkler systems in new townhomes.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-0)
Status: (Vetoed) 2020-01-21 - Pocket Veto - Bills not Acted on by Governor-end of Session [S3252 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-S3252-Amended.html
Sponsored by:
Senator LINDA R. GREENSTEIN
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
Senator BRIAN P. STACK
District 33 (Hudson)
Assemblyman WAYNE P. DEANGELO
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
Assemblywoman ANNETTE QUIJANO
District 20 (Union)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblymen Verrelli, Mejia and Houghtaling
SYNOPSIS
"New Townhouse Fire Safety Act"; requires automatic fire sprinkler systems in new townhomes.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As amended by the General Assembly on December 16, 2019.
An Act establishing the "New Townhouse Fire Safety Act," and supplementing 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 Townhouse Fire Safety Act."
2. As used in this act:
"Automatic fire sprinkler system" means an integrated system, including a suitable water supply, for the purpose of fire protection, consisting of piping designed in accordance with fire protection engineering standards, a portion of which is above the ground in a network of specially sized or hydraulically designed piping to which automatic fire sprinklers are connected in a systematic pattern.
"New townhouse" means 1[a dwelling not previously occupied, for which a construction permit has been issued on or after the effective date of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), which is intended for residential use by not more than two households, and constructed in a group of two or more attached units] , as per the adopted New Jersey editions of the International Building and Residential Codes, a single family dwelling unit constructed in a group of three or more units in which each unit extends from the foundation to roof and with open space on at least two sides1.
3. a. On or before the first day of the seventh month next following enactment of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), the Commissioner of Community Affairs shall modify the building subcode of the State Uniform Construction Code to require the installation of fire suppression systems in all new townhouses. The 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, or any successor regulations, and shall require the installation of separate shut-off valves from the domestic water supply and the fire sprinkler water supply.
b. A construction permit application for a new townhouse subject to the provisions of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), shall not be declared complete without provisions for the installation of an automatic fire sprinkler system in accordance with the requirements of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
1c. A development shall not be subject to the provisions of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) if on behalf of the development, there has been submitted not later than 24 months following the enactment of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), a developmental site plan or subdivision application, which for the purposes of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), includes but shall not be limited to:
(1) a preliminary or final approval from a municipal planning or zoning board;
(2) a developer's agreement;
(3) a redevelopment agreement;
(4) a payment in lieu of tax agreement;
(5) an affordable housing settlement agreement; or
(6) a building permit.1
4. This act shall take effect 1[on the first day of the seventh month next following enactment, provided that the Commissioner of Community Affairs shall take the anticipatory action necessary to effectuate the provisions of this act] immediately1.
