CHAPTER 324
HB 1065 - FINAL VERSION
28Mar2024... 1046h
05/22/2024 2006s
13Jun2024... 2336EBA
2024 SESSION
24-2313
12/10
HOUSE BILL 1065
AN ACT relative to fire sprinkler requirements in residential buildings.
SPONSORS: Rep. Damon, Sull. 8; Rep. Alexander Jr., Hills. 29; Rep. Read, Rock. 10; Rep. McConkey, Carr. 8; Rep. Yokela, Rock. 32
COMMITTEE: Special Committee on Housing
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AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill adds an exception to the state fire code for fire suppression or sprinkler system requirements for certain existing residential buildings with no more than 4 dwelling units and prohibits municipalities from adopting certain fire suppression device ordinances and regulations.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
28Mar2024... 1046h
05/22/2024 2006s
13Jun2024... 2336EBA 24-2313
12/10
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four
AN ACT relative to fire sprinkler requirements in residential buildings.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
324:1 State Fire Code and Rules; Fire Suppression or Sprinkler Systems. Amend RSA 153:5, IV to read as follows:
IV. The state fire marshal may exempt a building, structure, or equipment from such rules if he or she finds that such exemption does not constitute a hazard to the public welfare and safety. A reasonable time, as determined by the state fire marshal, shall be allowed to make necessary alterations. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent municipalities from adopting bylaws or ordinances relative to a subject area of rules adopted by the state fire marshal in accordance with this section if such bylaws or ordinances are no less restrictive than rules adopted by the state fire marshal. However, counties, towns, cities, and village districts shall not adopt rules, regulations, or ordinances that are more stringent than the state fire code relative to residential sprinkler systems.
324:2 Local Land Use Planning and Regulatory Powers; Amending and Establishing Building Code and Enforcement Procedures; Fire Suppression Sprinklers. Amend RSA 674:51, V to read as follows:
V. No municipality or local land use board as defined in RSA 672:7 shall adopt any ordinance, regulation, code, or administrative practice requiring the installation of automatic fire suppression sprinklers in any new or existing detached one or 2-family dwelling unit in a structure used only for residential purposes, or in existing buildings that contain, or will contain, no more than 4 dwelling units, unless fire sprinklers are existing or are required by a nonresidential occupancy. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no municipality or local land use board shall enforce any existing ordinance, regulation, code, or administrative practice requiring the installation or use of automatic fire suppression sprinklers in any manufactured housing unit as defined in RSA 674:31 situated in a manufactured housing park as defined in RSA 205-A:1, II. Nothing in this paragraph shall affect the ability of an applicant for a local land use permit to include the installation of fire suppression sprinklers pursuant to RSA 674:36, IV, or affect the validity or enforceability of such inclusion.
324:3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
Approved: August 02, 2024
Effective Date: October 01, 2024
| Date | Amendment |
|---|---|
| March 14, 2024 | 2024-1046h |
| May 16, 2024 | 2024-2006s |
| July 11, 2024 | 2024-2336EBA |
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 16, 2024 | House | Hearing |
| March 8, 2024 | House | Exec Session |
| March 8, 2024 | House | Floor Vote |
| May 1, 2024 | Senate | Hearing |
| May 23, 2024 | Senate | Floor Vote |
Aug. 7, 2024: Signed by Governor Sununu 08/02/2024; Chapter 324; 10/01/2024 HJ 16
July 23, 2024: Enrolled (in recess of) 06/13/2024 HJ 16 P. 56
July 18, 2024: Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/13/2024); SJ 18
July 15, 2024: Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2024-2336e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/13/2024 HJ 16 P. 51
July 11, 2024: Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2024-2336e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/13/2024); SJ 18
May 31, 2024: House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2024-2006s (Rep. Alexander Jr.): MA VV 05/30/2024 HJ 15 P. 23
May 22, 2024: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2024-2006s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/22/2024; SJ 14
May 22, 2024: Committee Amendment # 2024-2006s, AA, VV; 05/22/2024; SJ 14
May 16, 2024: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2024-2006s, 05/22/2024, Vote 4-1; SC 20
April 23, 2024: Hearing: 05/01/2024, Room 103, SH, 09:15 am; SC 17
April 2, 2024: Introduced 03/21/2024 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 8
March 28, 2024: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2024-1046h: MA VV 03/28/2024 HJ 10 P. 95
March 28, 2024: Amendment # 2024-1046h: AA VV 03/28/2024 HJ 10 P. 95
March 15, 2024: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2024-1046h 03/08/2024 (Vote 10-0; CC) HC 12 P. 18
Feb. 20, 2024: Executive Session: 03/08/2024 01:00 pm LOB 302-304
Feb. 20, 2024: Full Committee Work Session: 03/08/2024 11:00 am LOB 302-304
Jan. 18, 2024: Public Hearing: 02/16/2024 09:30 am LOB 302-304
Nov. 27, 2023: Introduced 01/03/2024 and referred to Special Committee on Housing