Bill Text: NJ S2948 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires that certain fire escape inspections be performed by structural engineer or employee with certified fire escape inspection company.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-03-11 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee [S2948 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-S2948-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator TROY SINGLETON
District 7 (Burlington)
SYNOPSIS
Requires that certain fire escape inspections be performed by structural engineer or employee with certified fire escape inspection company.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning fire escape inspections and amending P.L.2001, c.289, P.L.1975, c.217 and P.L.1983, c.383.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 1 of P.L.2001, c.289 (C.52:27D-25n) is amended to read as follows:
1. As used in sections 1 through 19 of P.L.2001, c.289 (C.52:27D-25n et seq.):
"Business entity" means a proprietor, corporation, partnership or company operating as a fire protection contractor.
"Carbon dioxide fire protection system" means a special hazard fire suppression system that uses carbon dioxide as its extinguishing agent.
"Certificate of certification" means a certificate issued by the commissioner that authorizes a person to engage in the fire protection equipment business to the degree indicated on the certificate.
"Certificate holder" means a person who is certified to engage in the fire protection equipment business.
"Clean agent fire suppression system" means a special hazard fire suppression system that uses an extinguishing agent that will not damage the contents of the hazard.
"Combination fire and smoke damper" means a device that meets both the fire damper and smoke damper requirements.
"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Community Affairs.
"Committee" means the Fire Protection Equipment Advisory Committee created by section 2 of [this act] P.L.2001, c.289 (C.52:27D-25o).
"Dedicated smoke control system" means a smoke control system and components that are installed for the sole purpose of providing smoke control and that upon activation of the systems operate specifically to perform the smoke control function.
"Director" means the Director of the Division of Fire Safety in the Department of Community Affairs.
"Division" means the Division of Fire Safety in the Department of Community Affairs.
"Engineered fire suppression system" means a fire suppression system which is designed individually to suit a particular purpose or hazard. Such a system requires individual calculation and design to determine the flow rates, nozzle pressures, pipe size, area or volume to be protected by each nozzle, quantities of extinguishing agent and the number and types of nozzles and their placement in a specific system.
"Fire alarm system" means a system which provides a warning alarm signaling the presence of fire conditions and may be capable of initiating an action to suppress a fire condition.
"Fire damper" means a device installed in ducts and air transfer openings designed to close automatically upon detection of heat and resist the passage of flame. Fire dampers are classified for use in either static systems that will automatically shut down in the event of a fire, or in dynamic systems that continue to operate during a fire. A dynamic fire damper is tested and rated for closure under elevated temperature airflow.
"Fire protection equipment" includes fire alarm systems, fire sprinkler systems, standpipe systems, clean agent fire suppression systems, special hazard fire suppression systems, carbon dioxide fire protection systems, foam fire protection systems, kitchen fire suppression systems, portable fire extinguishers, fire escapes or exterior stairways, or any other equipment designed to detect, suppress [or], extinguish, or escape a fire.
"Fire protection subcode official" means a qualified person appointed by the appropriate appointing authority or the commissioner pursuant to the authority of the "State Uniform Construction Code Act," P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.).
"Fire protection contractor" or "contractor" means a person or business entity that offers to undertake or represents itself as being able to undertake, or does undertake the installation, service, sale, repair, inspection or maintenance of fire protection equipment. In the case of a contractor responsible for fire escapes and exterior stairways, the contractor shall be a structural engineer or an employee with a certified fire escape inspection company, as certified by the commissioner in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the commissioner.
"Fire protection contractor business permit" means a permit issued by the commissioner to a business entity to operate as a fire protection contractor.
"Fire sprinkler system" means an automatic fire suppression system that includes an automatic water sprinkler system or a standpipe system and related system components, including detection.
"Fire suppression system" means an engineered or pre-engineered system that suppresses a fire using an extinguishing agent distributed through fixed piping and nozzles that are activated either manually or automatically. The system may include containers, nozzles, controls, automatic detection, manual releases, equipment shut downs and alarms. In such systems, an extinguishing agent is discharged through fixed pipes and nozzles into or over a potential fire hazard.
"Foam fire protection system" means a special hazard fire suppression system that uses foam as its extinguishing agent.
"Kitchen fire suppression system" means a pre-engineered system which is designed specifically to protect the hood, duct, and cooking appliances of a kitchen. The system, which may include containers, nozzles, controls, automatic detection, manual release, cooking appliance shutdown equipment, and alarms will have an extinguishing agent discharged through fixed pipes and nozzles over and into the fire hazard area.
"Maintenance" means the function of keeping equipment in such a condition that it will perform as it originally was designed to do.
"Portable fire extinguisher" means a portable device, carried or on wheels and operated by hand, containing an extinguishing agent that can be expelled under pressure for the purpose of suppressing or extinguishing fire.
"Pre-engineered system" means a fire suppression system having predetermined flow rates, nozzle pressures, detection and quantities of extinguishing agent. Such a system has the specific pipe size, maximum and minimum pipe lengths, flexible hose specifications, number of fittings and types of nozzles prescribed by a testing laboratory. The hazards protected by such a system are specifically limited as to type and size by a testing laboratory based upon actual fire tests. Limitations on hazards which can be protected by such a system are contained in the manufacturer's installation manual which is referenced as a part of the listing.
"Smoke control system" means an engineered system that includes all methods that can be used singly or in combination to modify smoke movement, including engineered systems that use mechanical fans to produce pressure differences across smoke barriers to inhibit smoke movement.
"Smoke damper" means a device installed in ducts and air transfer openings designed to resist the passage of smoke. The device is installed to operate automatically, controlled by a smoke detection system, and, where required, is capable of being positioned from a fire command center.
"Special hazard fire suppression system" means a fire suppression system that uses an extinguishing agent other than water.
"Standpipe system" means a fire protection system consisting of an arrangement of piping, valves, hose outlets, and allied equipment installed in a building or structure.
"Warranty" means a written guarantee given to a purchaser of fire protection equipment covering a period of one year after the installation of new fire protection equipment.
(cf: P.L.2023, c.186, s.6)
2. Section 4 of P.L.2001, c.289 (C.52:27D-25q) is amended to read as follows:
4. a. After the effective date of P.L.2001, c.289, no fire protection contractor shall engage in the installation, service, repair, inspection, or maintenance of fire protection equipment without holding or employing a person who holds a valid certificate of certification issued in accordance with P.L.2001, c.289 (C.52:27D-25n et seq.), except that the commissioner shall determine by rules and regulations the date after which no contractor may engage in the installation, service, repair, inspection, or maintenance of fire dampers, combination fire and smoke dampers, or smoke control systems without holding or employing a person who holds a valid certificate of certification issued in accordance with P.L.2023, c.186 (C.52:27D-198.21 et al.). A fire protection contractor who is not a certificate holder shall be required to obtain a fire protection contractor business permit from the commissioner, which shall be issued for three years upon payment of an appropriate fee set by the commissioner and proof that the fire protection contractor employs a certificate holder. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, persons holding a license to engage in the fire alarm business pursuant to P.L.1997, c.305 (C.45:5A-23 et seq.), or who are electrical contractors as defined in section 2 of P.L.1962, c.162 (C.45:5A-2), are exempt from the requirement of obtaining a certificate of certification under this act to engage in the fire alarm business pursuant to this act to the extent that such persons are acting within the scope of practice of their profession or occupation.
The certificate required by this section shall define by class the type of work in which a fire protection contractor may engage.
Notwithstanding any provision of P.L.2001, c.289, the commissioner shall issue a certificate to any person who has been employed as a fire protection contractor for a period of not less than five years on or before the effective date of this act, upon application with submission of satisfactory proof and payment by that person of the appropriate certification fee within 180 days following the effective date of this act.
b. The following certified classifications are hereby established:
(1) An "All Fire Protection Equipment Contractor" is authorized to install, service, repair, inspect and maintain all fire protection equipment listed in paragraphs (2) through (6) of this subsection.
(2) A "Fire Sprinkler System Contractor" is authorized to install, service, repair, inspect and maintain fire sprinkler systems.
(3) A "Special Hazard Fire Suppression System Contractor" is authorized to install, service, repair, inspect and maintain special hazard fire suppression systems and kitchen fire suppression systems.
(4) A "Fire Alarm System Contractor" is authorized to install, service, repair, inspect and maintain all fire alarm systems.
(5) A "Portable Fire Extinguisher Contractor" is authorized to install, service, repair, inspect and maintain all portable fire extinguishers.
(6) A "Kitchen Fire Suppression System Contractor" is authorized to install, service, repair, inspect and maintain all kitchen fire suppression systems.
(7) A "Smoke Damper, Fire Damper, and Combination Fire and Smoke Damper Contractor" is authorized to install, service, repair, inspect, and maintain all smoke dampers, fire dampers, and combination fire and smoke dampers. In addition to any other requirements adopted by the commissioner, a Smoke Damper, Fire Damper, and Combination Fire and Smoke Damper Contractor shall participate in an approved apprenticeship or skill training program that is registered with, and approved by, the United States Department of Labor or a State apprenticeship agency, as defined by the commissioner in rules or regulations, unless the commissioner determines by rule or regulation that requiring participation in such a program would be substantially detrimental to ensuring that a sufficient number of contractors are certified to conduct the work within the scope of the contractor's certification class Statewide, and shall hold a certification from an organization that has been accredited under or meets the criteria required by the International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission 17024 Personnel Certification standard, or such substantially similar certification as determined by the commissioner in rules or regulations. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the commissioner may exempt by regulation persons with related licenses or credentials from the requirement of obtaining a certificate of certification as a Smoke Damper, Fire Damper, and Combination Fire and Smoke Damper Contractor to engage in the initial installation of smoke dampers, fire dampers, and combination fire and smoke dampers to the extent that such persons are acting within the scope of practice of their profession or occupation.
(8) A "Smoke Control System Contractor" is authorized to install, service, repair, inspect, and maintain all smoke control systems. In addition to any other requirements adopted by the commissioner, a Smoke Control System Contractor shall participate in an approved apprenticeship or skill training program that is registered with, and approved by, the United States Department of Labor or a State apprenticeship agency, as defined by the commissioner in rules or regulations, unless the commissioner determines by rule or regulation that requiring participation in such a program would be substantially detrimental to ensuring that a sufficient number of contractors are certified to conduct the work within the scope of the contractor's certification class statewide, and shall hold a certification from an organization that has been accredited under or meets the criteria required by the International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission 17024 Personnel Certification standard, or such substantially similar certification as determined by the commissioner in rules or regulations. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the commissioner may exempt by regulation persons with related licenses or credentials from the requirement of obtaining a certificate of certification as a Smoke Control System Contractor to engage in the initial installation of smoke control systems to the extent that such persons are acting within the scope of practice of their profession or occupation.
(9) A "Fire Escape Contractor" is authorized to install, service, repair, inspect, and maintain fire escapes and exterior stairways.
c. A certified fire protection contractor shall perform work only within the scope of the contractor's certification class.
d. Any change in more than 50% of the ownership of a fire protection contractor shall require an amended certificate of certification. An application for an amended certificate of certification shall be submitted within 60 days of a change of ownership or change of company name or location. Certificates of certification are non-transferable and shall be displayed prominently in the principal work place. A certificate holder shall not be used to qualify more than one fire protection contractor. The commissioner shall be notified within 30 days if a certificate holder leaves the fire protection contractor or is replaced. Notwithstanding subsection a. of this section, no fire protection contractor shall be denied the privilege of continuing business as a fire protection contractor in the event of death, illness, or other physical disability of the certificate holder who qualified the fire protection contractor for a business permit under this section, for at least six months following the date of such death, illness or other physical disability; provided that the fire protection contractor operates under such qualified supervision as the commissioner deems adequate. If, after six months, the fire protection contractor has failed to employ another certificate holder, then the commissioner shall revoke its fire protection contractor business permit.
e. Whenever the commissioner shall find cause to deny an application for a certificate of certification or to suspend or revoke a certificate, he shall notify the applicant or the holder of the certificate and state the reasons for the denial or suspension, as appropriate.
f. Whenever the commissioner shall find cause to deny an application for a fire protection contractor business permit or to suspend or revoke a fire protection contractor business permit, he shall notify the applicant or the holder of the business permit and state the reasons for the denial or suspension, as appropriate.
g. Any person subject to certification under paragraphs (1) through (6) of subsection b. of this section shall be exempt from any other State, county, or municipal certification, licensing, or registration requirements for installing, servicing, repairing, inspecting, or maintaining fire protection equipment.
(cf: P.L.2023, c.186, s.7)
3. Section 3 of P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-121) is amended to read as follows:
3. Definitions. As used in P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.):
"Building" means a structure enclosed with exterior walls or fire walls, including structures required to have fire escapes or exterior stairways, built, erected and framed of component structural parts, designed for the housing, shelter, enclosure and support of individuals, animals or property of any kind.
"Business day" means any day of the year, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays.
"Certificate of occupancy" means the certificate provided for in section 15 of P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-133), indicating that the construction authorized by the construction permit has been completed in accordance with the construction permit, the State Uniform Construction Code and any ordinance implementing said code.
"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Community Affairs.
"Code" means the State Uniform Construction Code.
"Commercial farm building" means any building located on a commercial farm which produces not less than $2,500 worth of agricultural or horticultural products annually, which building's main use or intended use is related to the production of agricultural or horticultural products produced on that farm. A building shall not be regarded as a commercial farm building if more than 1,200 square feet of its floor space is used for purposes other than its main use. A greenhouse constructed in conjunction with the odor control bio-filter of a solid waste or sludge composting facility, which greenhouse produces not less than $2,500 worth of agricultural or horticultural products in addition to its function as a cover for the bio-filter, shall be considered a commercial farm building for the purposes of P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.), provided, however, that the greenhouse is not intended for human occupancy.
"Construction" means the construction, erection, reconstruction, alteration, conversion, demolition, removal, repair or equipping of buildings or structures.
"Construction board of appeals" means the board provided for in section 9 of P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-127).
"Department" means the Department of Community Affairs.
"Enforcing agency" means the municipal or county construction official and subcode officials provided for in section 8 of P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-126), or section 1 of P.L.2018, c.157 (C.52:27D-126.8) regarding a pilot county in the "County Code Enforcement Pilot Program," and assistants thereto.
"Equipment" means plumbing, heating, electrical, ventilating, air conditioning, refrigerating and fire prevention equipment, and elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, boilers, pressure vessels and other mechanical facilities or installations, including fire escapes and exterior stairways.
"Hearing examiner" means a person appointed by the commissioner to conduct hearings, summarize evidence, and make findings of fact.
"Maintenance" means the replacement or mending of existing work with equivalent materials or the provision of additional work or material for the purpose of the safety, healthfulness, and upkeep of the structure and the adherence to the other standards of upkeep as are required in the interest of public safety, health and welfare.
"Manufactured home" or "mobile home" means a unit of housing which:
(1) Consists of one or more transportable sections which are substantially constructed off site and, if more than one section, are joined together on site;
(2) Is built on a permanent chassis;
(3) Is designed to be used, when connected to utilities, as a dwelling on a permanent or nonpermanent foundation; and
(4) Is manufactured in accordance with the standards promulgated for a manufactured home by the Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to the "National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974," Pub.L.93-383 (42 U.S.C. s. 5401 et seq.) and the standards promulgated by the commissioner pursuant to P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.).
"Municipality" means any city, borough, town, township or village.
"Outdoor advertising sign" means a sign required to be permitted pursuant to P.L.1991. c.413 (C.27:5-5 et seq.).
"Owner" means the owner or owners in fee of the property or a lesser estate therein, a mortgagee or vendee in possession, an assignee of rents, receiver, executor, trustee, lessee, or any other person, firm or corporation, directly or indirectly in control of a building, structure, or real property and shall include any subdivision thereof of the State.
"Premanufactured system" means an assembly of materials or products that is intended to comprise all or part of a building or structure and that is assembled off site by a repetitive process under circumstances intended to insure uniformity of quality and material content.
"Public school facility" means any building, or any part thereof, of a school, under college grade, owned and operated by a local, regional, or county school district.
"State sponsored code change proposal" means any proposed amendment or code change adopted by the commissioner in accordance with subsection c. of section 5 of P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-123) for the purpose of presenting the proposed amendment or code change at any of the periodic code change hearings held by the National Model Code Adoption Agencies, the codes of which have been adopted as subcodes under P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.).
"Stop construction order" means the order provided for in section 14 of P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-132).
"State Uniform Construction Code" means the code provided for in section 5 of P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-123), or any portion thereof, and any modification of or amendment thereto.
"Structure" means a combination of materials to form a construction for occupancy, use, or ornamentation, whether installed on, above, or below the surface of a parcel of land; provided the word "structure" shall be construed when used herein as though followed by the words "or part or parts thereof and all equipment therein" unless the context clearly requires a different meaning.
(cf: P.L.2018, c.157, s.2)
4. Section 8 of P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-126) is amended to read as follows:
8. a. The appointing authority of any municipality shall appoint a construction official, any necessary subcode officials, and technical assistants to assist such officials to administer and enforce the code. The appointing authority may, by resolution or order as appropriate, set the total number of weekly hours of operation of the construction official's office and the total number of weekly work hours of the construction official, commensurate with the compensation paid to the construction official. The appointing authority shall not set the specific work hours of the construction official. The appointing authority shall also appoint a construction board of appeals to hear and decide appeals from decisions made by said construction official and subcode officials, in the administration and enforcement of the code. Nothing herein, however, shall prevent a municipality from accepting inspections as to compliance with the code or any subcode thereof made by an inspection authority approved by the State of New Jersey pursuant to law.
b. To establish tenure rights or any other right or protection provided by the "State Uniform Construction Code Act" or Title 11A, Civil Service, of the New Jersey Statutes, or any pension law or retirement system, the job title "construction official" shall be equivalent to that job title which, prior to the adoption of the State Uniform Construction Code as provided in section 5 of the "State Uniform Construction Code Act," entailed the chief administrative responsibility to enforce all construction codes which had been adopted by the municipal governing body, the enforcement of which was not the responsibility of an authorized private inspection agency; and the job title "subcode official" shall be equivalent to that job title which, prior to the adoption of the State Uniform Construction Code, entailed subordinate administrative responsibility to enforce one or more of the following construction codes: building, plumbing, electrical or fire code.
Any person, in a municipality operating under Title 11A, Civil Service, of the New Jersey Statutes, who, prior to the adoption of the State Uniform Construction Code, held the equivalent of the job title "construction" official or "subcode" official, but who no longer holds [his] that position as a result of a determination that [his] the official's old job title was not equivalent to that of "construction" official or "subcode" official, shall be offered reappointment as a construction official or subcode official, as the case may be, and shall be granted permanent classified status in such position. Tenure shall continue for (1) any construction official or subcode official who is serving under tenure as otherwise provided by law on the effective date of this act or within one year thereafter, or (2) any person certified pursuant to subsection c. of this section and who subsequently gains such tenure.
A construction official or subcode official appointed in a municipality operating under the provisions of Title 11A, Civil Service, of the New Jersey Statutes, who, at the time of adoption of the State Uniform Construction Code, January 1, 1977, or prior to January 1, 1981, had permanent classified status or was employed as a construction official or subcode official or in another position in the unclassified service, shall be included in the classified service without civil service examination in his respective title of construction official or subcode official. Any individual employed by a municipality, who, in his employment with the municipality between January 1, 1977 and prior to January 1, 1981, was charged with the chief administrative responsibility to enforce all existing municipal construction codes, shall be deemed as appointed to the position of construction official for the purposes of this act. Any individual employed by a municipality, who, in his employment with the municipality between January 1, 1977 and prior to January 1, 1981, was charged with chief responsibility to enforce the municipal building, plumbing, fire, or electrical code, shall be deemed as appointed to the position of subcode official for the purposes of this act. No person, on or after January 1, 1981, shall be appointed as construction or subcode official in a municipality operating under Title 11A, Civil Service, of the New Jersey Statutes without having passed an examination administered by the Civil Service Commission certifying the merit and fitness of the person to hold such position; provided that, whenever a noncivil service municipality adopts the provisions of that Title, construction code officials and subcode officials of such municipality appointed prior to the filing of the petition for the adoption of civil service, shall attain permanent status in the classified service without examination. Any construction or subcode official appointed after January 1, 1981 on a provisional basis in a municipality which has adopted the provisions of Title 11A, Civil Service, of the New Jersey Statutes, may not be removed from office except for just cause after a fair and impartial hearing has been held at the local level, with no further appeal to the Civil Service Commission; provided, however, that such a construction or subcode official may be removed to permit the appointment of a person certified for appointment by the Civil Service Commission. A construction official or subcode official in a noncivil service municipality shall be appointed for a term of four years and shall, upon appointment to a second consecutive term or on or after the commencement of a fifth consecutive year of service, including years of service in an equivalent job title held prior to the adoption of the State Uniform Construction Code, be granted tenure and shall not be removed from office except for just cause after a fair and impartial hearing.
A construction or subcode official, to be eligible for appointment in civil service or noncivil service municipalities, shall be certified by the State of New Jersey in accordance with subsection c. of this section and shall have had at least three years' experience in construction, design, or supervision as a licensed engineer or registered architect; or five years' experience in construction, design, or supervision as an architect or engineer with a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education; or 10 years' experience in construction, design, or supervision as a journeyman in a trade or as a contractor; or, in the case of an official responsible for enforcing the fire code concerning fire escapes and exterior stairways, shall be a structural engineer or an employee with a certified fire escape inspection company certified by the Commissioner of Community in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the commissioner. A subcode official shall, pursuant to any subcode which [he] the official administers, pass upon:
(1) matters relative to the mode, manner of construction or materials to be used in the erection or alteration of buildings or structures, including fire escapes and exterior stairways, except as to any such matter foreclosed by State approval pursuant to this act, and (2) actual execution of the approved plans and the installation of the materials approved by the State. The construction official in each municipality shall be the chief administrator of the "enforcing agency." [He] The person shall have the power to overrule a determination of a subcode official based on an interpretation of a substantive provision of the subcode which such subcode official administers, only if the construction official is qualified to act pursuant to this act as a subcode official for such subcode. [He] The person may serve as subcode official for any subcode which [he] the person is qualified under this act to administer. A subcode official or municipal engineer may serve as a construction official if otherwise qualified under the provisions of this act. The municipal enforcing agency shall require compliance with the provisions of the code, of all rules lawfully adopted and promulgated thereunder and of laws relating to the construction, alteration, repair, removal, demolition and integral equipment and location, occupancy and maintenance of buildings and structures, except as may be otherwise provided for.
Two or more municipalities may provide by ordinance, subject to regulations established by the commissioner, for the joint appointment of a construction official and subcode official for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of the code in the same manner.
c. No person shall act as a construction official or subcode official for any municipality unless the commissioner determines that said person is so qualified, except for the following:
(1) a municipal construction official or subcode official holding office under permanent civil service status, or tenure as otherwise provided by law on the effective date of this act or within one year thereafter and (2) a municipal construction official or subcode official holding office without such permanent civil service status or tenure on the effective date of this act or within one year thereafter; provided said construction official or subcode official not having such permanent civil service status or tenure shall be certified in accordance with this act within four years of the effective date thereof; provided further that a person holding on the effective date of this act a valid plumbing inspector's license from the Department of Health and Senior Services pursuant to Title 26 of the Revised Statutes may serve as a plumbing subcode official and a person holding on the effective date of this act a valid electrical inspector's license from the Board of Public Utilities pursuant to Title 48 of the Revised Statutes may serve as an electrical subcode official. The commissioner, after consultation with the code advisory board, may authorize the preparation and conducting of oral, written and practical examinations to determine if a person is qualified by this act to be eligible to be a construction official or subcode official or, in the alternative, may accept successful completion of programs of training as proof of qualification within the meaning of this act. Upon a determination of qualification the commissioner shall issue or cause to be issued a certificate to the construction official or subcode official or trainee stating that [he] the person is so certified. The commissioner, after consultation with the code advisory board, may establish classes of certification that will recognize the varying complexities of code enforcement in the municipalities within the State. The commissioner shall, after consultation with the code advisory board, provide for educational programs designed to train and assist construction officials, subcode officials, and technical assistants to these officials in carrying out their responsibilities.
Whenever the commissioner is required by the terms of this subsection to consult with the code advisory board and the matter in question concerns plumbing subcode officials, the commissioner shall also consult with the Public Health Council and Commissioner of Health and Senior Services.
d. The commissioner, after consultation with the code advisory board, may periodically require that each construction official, subcode official, and technical assistant demonstrate a working knowledge of innovations in construction technology and materials, recent changes in and additions to the relevant portions of the State Uniform Construction Code, and current standards of professional ethics and legal responsibility; or, in the alternative, the commissioner, after consultation with the code advisory board, may accept successful completion of appropriate programs of training as proof of such working knowledge.
(cf: P.L.2009, c.119, s.1)
5. Section 15 of P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-133) is amended to read as follows:
15. No building or structure hereafter constructed shall be used or occupied in whole or in part until a certificate of occupancy shall have been issued by the enforcing agency. No building or structure hereafter altered, in whole or in part, shall be used or occupied until such a certificate has been issued, except that any use or occupancy in an already existing building or structure that was not discontinued during its alteration may be continued in the preexisting structure for 30 days after the completion of the alteration without the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. A certificate of occupancy shall be issued by the enforcing agency when all of the work covered by a construction permit shall have been completed in accordance with the permit, the code, and other applicable laws and ordinances. In the case of enforcing the fire code concerning fire escapes and exterior stairways, a certificate of occupancy shall only be issued if the compliance inspection is determined by a structural engineer or an employee with a certified fire escape inspection company, as certified by the Commissioner of Community Affairs in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the commissioner. In the case of any new home subject to sales surcharge pursuant to P.L.1991, c.202 (C.46:3B-13 et al.) a certificate of occupancy shall not be issued except after presentation of a receipt, or verified duplicate thereof, from the Department of Community Affairs evidencing the payment of the surcharge. On request of a holder of a construction permit, the appropriate enforcing agency may issue a temporary certificate of occupancy for a building or structure, or part thereof, before the entire work covered by the construction permit has been completed, if the part or parts of the building or structure to be covered by the certificate may be occupied prior to completion of all work in accordance with the permit, the code, and other applicable laws and ordinances, without endangering the health and safety of the occupants or users. When a building or structure is entitled thereto, the enforcing agency shall issue a certificate of occupancy within 10 business days after receipt of a written application therefor in accordance with regulations established by the commissioner on a form prescribed by the commissioner accompanied by payment of a fee to be established by the municipal governing body by ordinance in accordance with standards established by the commissioner. The certificate of occupancy shall certify that the building or structure has been constructed in accordance with the provisions of the construction permit, the code, and other applicable laws and ordinances.
(cf: P.L.1991, c.202, s.8)
6. Section 12 of P.L.1983, c.383 (C.52:27D-203) is amended to read as follows:
a. Each enforcing agency in this State shall enforce [this act] P.L.1983, c.383 (C.52:27D-192 et seq.) in all buildings, structures and premises within its jurisdiction, except owner-occupied buildings used exclusively for dwelling purposes and containing fewer than three dwelling units, subject to the control and supervision of the commissioner and in accordance with regulations promulgated by the commissioner. The commissioner shall consult with and advise all local enforcement agencies enforcing the provision of [this act] P.L.1983, c.383 (C.52:27D-192 et seq.), and each local enforcement agency shall provide the commissioner with reports, data and information required by the commissioner. To cover the cost to the municipality of conducting inspections under [this act] P.L.1983, c.383 (C.52:27D-192 et seq.), the municipality may, by ordinance, establish fees, which shall be paid into the treasury of the municipality to which the local enforcing agency is responsible, and which shall be appropriated by the municipality to the local enforcing agency to pay the cost of enforcing [this act] P.L.1983, c.383 (C.52:27D-192 et seq.).
b. A local enforcing agency consisting of or employing at least one paid fire inspector who is certified pursuant to subsection c. of this section may elect to inspect high-rise structures and life hazard uses within its jurisdiction, including fire escapes and exterior stairways, in lieu of inspection by the commissioner. That election shall be made by resolution of the governing body having jurisdiction over the local enforcing agency. If an appropriate resolution has not been received by the commissioner on or before the effective date of [this act] P.L.1983, c.383 (C.52:27D-192 et seq.), the department shall perform all inspections under this subsection until such time as the governing body shall adopt and send to the commissioner an appropriate resolution. A local enforcing agency that elects to inspect high-rise structures and life hazard uses may issue the certificates of inspection required to be issued pursuant to section 14 of [this act] P.L.1983, c.383 (C.52:27D-205) and may inspect buildings and premises other than high-rise structures and life hazard uses in order to secure compliance with [this act] P.L.1983, c.383 (C.52:27D-192 et seq.).
c. The commissioner shall certify fire inspectors under [this act] P.L.1983, c.383 (C.52:27D-192 et seq.), including inspectors who shall be responsible for conducting compliance inspections of fire escapes and exterior stairways, in accordance with such standards as [he] the commissioner shall establish by regulation; provided that a fire inspector certificate shall be issued by the commissioner to any person who: on the effective date of [this act] P.L.1983, c.383 (C.52:27D-192 et seq.) is, and for at least one year prior to the effective date of [this act] P.L.1983, c.383 (C.52:27D-192 et seq.) has been, serving as a fire inspector in the fire service; or shall have, within two years of the effective date of [this act] P.L.1983, c.383 (C.52:27D-192 et seq.), successfully completed an educational program such as the basic fire prevention code course offered by the Building Officials and Code Administrators International or a recognized equivalent, a fire prevention course offered by an institution of higher education or recognized fire school which has been approved by the commissioner.
(cf: P.L.1983, c.383, s.12)
7. The Commissioner of Community Affairs shall adopt, pursuant to the provisions of the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), rules and regulations concerning the determination of companies certified to conduct inspections on fire escapes and exterior stairways necessary to effectuate the purposes of this act.
8. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill requires that only structural engineers or employees with certified fire escape inspection companies perform compliance inspections for fire escapes and exterior stairways. Under current law, no building or structure can be occupied, prior to certain new occupancies and changes in occupancy, until a certificate of occupancy is issued by an enforcing agency. This bill amends current law to provide that, in the case of enforcing the fire code concerning fire escapes and exterior stairways, a certificate of occupancy can only be issued if the compliance inspection is conducted by a structural engineer or an employee with a certified fire escape inspection company.
The bill also provides that, in order to be eligible for appointment in civil service or non-civil service municipalities, a construction or subcode official, in the case of an official responsible for enforcing the fire code concerning fire escapes and exterior stairways, is required to be a structural engineer or an employee with a certified fire escape inspection company.
The bill also adds fire escapes and exterior stairways to the definition of "fire protection equipment" and adds the classification of "Fire Escape Contractor" as a certified classification to be issued by the Commissioner of Community Affairs.
The bill provides that the commissioner is required to adopt regulations for the certification of fire escape inspection companies.
The bill also makes technical revisions.
