HB317 (2011) Detail

Relative to fire warning devices and carbon monoxide detection devices in dwellings.


CHAPTER 129

HB 317 – FINAL VERSION

15Mar2011… 0377h

2011 SESSION

11-0807 05/04

HOUSE BILL 317

AN ACT relative to fire warning devices and carbon monoxide detection devices in dwellings.

SPONSORS: Rep. Gimas, Hills 12; Rep. Infantine, Hills 13; Sen. Boutin, Dist 16; Sen. Carson, Dist 14

COMMITTEE: Commerce and Consumer Affairs

ANALYSIS

This bill revises the type and location requirements for automatic fire warning devices and carbon monoxide detection devices in dwellings.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

15Mar2011… 0377h

11-0807

05/04

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eleven

AN ACT relative to fire warning devices and carbon monoxide detection devices in dwellings.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

129:1 Fire Protection and Warning Devices in Multi-Family Dwellings. RSA 153:10-a, I-III are repealed and reenacted to read as follows:

I. Each multi-unit dwelling and rental unit shall be equipped with automatic fire warning devices in accordance with the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code and the NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code and carbon monoxide detection devices in accordance with the NFPA 720 Standard for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection and Warning Equipment; provided that a carbon monoxide detection device shall not be required in a multi-unit dwelling or rental unit that does not have an attached garage and does not contain an appliance or device that uses a combustion method of burning solid, liquid, or gas fuel. If a garage or combustion fuel appliance or device is later added to the dwelling or rental unit, a carbon monoxide detection device shall be required.

II. Every single family dwelling which is built or substantially rehabilitated after January 1, 2010, shall be equipped with an automatic fire warning device and a carbon monoxide detection device; provided that a carbon monoxide detection device shall not be required if the single family dwelling does not have an attached garage and does not contain an appliance or device that uses a combustion method of burning solid, liquid, or gas fuel. If a garage or combustion fuel appliance or device is later added to the dwelling, a carbon monoxide detection device shall be required.

II-a. The owner of the rental unit shall be responsible for maintaining the automatic fire warning device and carbon monoxide detection device in a suitable condition.

III. The state fire marshal may adopt such rules pursuant to RSA 541-A as necessary to enforce paragraphs I, II, and II-a; provided that under no circumstances shall the rules require the installation of a fire sprinkler system in a one- or 2-family dwelling unit that otherwise meets the requirements of this section. The state fire marshal shall either enforce the provisions of this section or appoint the appropriate municipal authority to enforce the provisions of this section.

129:2 Applicability. The requirements relative to carbon monoxide detectors provided in RSA 153:10-a, as amended by section 1 of this act, shall not apply to owners of existing multi-unit dwellings until July 1, 2013.

129:3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2011.

Approved: June 6, 2011

Effective Date: July 1, 2011