Bill Text: HI SB2015 | 2022 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii Senate Bill 2015 (Prior Session Legislation)

HI State Legislature page for SB2015

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating To Public Safety.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-01-20 - Referred to PSM, CPN. [SB2015 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2022-SB2015-Introduced.html

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2015
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to public safety.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Act 53, Session Laws of Hawaii 2017, extended the prohibition of the adoption of any codes or regulations by the counties that require the installation of residential fire sprinklers in one- and two-family dwellings, except to meet firefighting road access or water supply requirements. Because of the reliability and effectiveness of residential fire sprinklers in suppressing a fire in its initial stages, national residential building codes have required these sprinklers since 2009.

The legislature also finds that a prohibition of any measure that may be considered and adopted at the county level to improve and enhance fire survivability and reduce fire losses of community residents by eighty per cent is not in the best interest of public health and safety. Residential fire sprinklers greatly reduce the spread of fire, thereby significantly reducing property damage and loss. The legislature further finds that the intensity, severity, and spread of fire in residential buildings are directly related to building contents and furnishings, and, although improvements have been made in building construction, design, and materials, the volatility and toxicity of today's synthetic materials allow untenable conditions to be reached more rapidly. Moreover, the legislature recognizes that the respective counties face unique challenges and issues relating to fire protection, including population density, proximity of structures, infrastructure, access, and limited fire protection resources.

Accordingly, this Act recognizes and re-establishes individual county authority or "home rule" as to appropriate or applicable requirements. This concept is recognized, acknowledged, and supported by the evidence presented in the National Fire Protection Association's Fire Sprinkler Initiative. The Fire Sprinkler Initiative's, report on legislation and adoptions notes that two states, California and Maryland, have statewide requirements for residential fire sprinklers in new one- and two-family dwellings. However, the report also notes that eighteen states have no statewide requirements but allow local jurisdictions to require residential fire sprinklers. Additionally, the state building code council, established in 2007, is responsible for reviewing and adopting the latest editions of national model building codes for the State. The council is also the forum for discussion by building code experts from the various fields of building design, construction, safety, and health.

Finally, the legislature notes that on November 13, 2018, the state building code council adopted the state residential code, which requires all construction of new one- and two-family dwellings in the State to have residential fire sprinklers installed.

Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to shorten the prohibition on county requirements for automatic sprinklers or sprinkler systems in one- and two-family detached dwelling units and non-residential agricultural and aquacultural structures located outside urban areas.

SECTION 2. Act 83, Session Laws of Hawaii 2012, as amended by Act 53, Session Laws of Hawaii 2017, is amended by amending section 3 to read as follows:

"SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2012; provided that on June 30, [~~2027,~~] 2022, this Act shall be repealed."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on June 29, 2022.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________
	By Request

Report Title:

State Fire Council Package; Fire Safety; Sprinklers

Description:

Shortens the prohibition on county requirements for automatic sprinklers or sprinkler systems in 1- and 2-family detached dwelling units and non-residential agricultural and aquacultural structures located outside urban areas.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.