Revision: May 16, 2024, 10:13 a.m.
Senate Executive Departments and Administration
May 15, 2024
2024-2006s
12/02
Amendment to HB 1065
Amend the bill by replacing all after the enacting clause with the following:
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.
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 single family 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.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
2024-2006s
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.