And out of New Jersey..........
Final Report of the Transition Subcommittee On the Department of Community
Affairs and its Agencies and Affiliates - January 5, 2010
This subcommittee reviewed the eleven divisions of the Department of
Community Affairs ("DCA") as well the five authorities or agencies that are
"in, but not of" the organization. The subcommittee's findings and
recommendations were developed through a series of interviews with Division
heads and other senior staff at the DCA, a summary review and analysis of
available data, and observations and insights provided by various
constituencies that regularly interact with the DCA. The subcommittee is
ready and willing to make itself available post-transition to consult with
the new commissioner regarding details beyond the scope of this report. The
review, analysis and recommendations provided in this report are centered on
the following issues.
The Division of Codes & Standard's 525 employees (some temporary) are
responsible for the establishment and enforcement of building codes, most of
which are generally adopted by reference from national codes.
A significant amount of Division resources are allocated to inspections,
however, it appears that they may be duplicative of similar inspections for
insurance purposes, for Certificates of Occupancy and may be performed too
frequently. Eliminating duplicative inspections will help free the
Division's inspectors to address the current backlog of inspections. Very
serious consideration should also be made to follow one set of standards and
codes as outlined by the UCC that could eliminate the need for state
codes and standards. This review may take time, but will streamline the
inspection process because it will eliminate some of the statutory
requirements that are unnecessarily onerous and/or duplicative.
Also, pending code revisions should be adopted (update of UCC), except for
those requiring the installation of sprinklers in residential dwelling units
that would have a detrimental economic impact on an already bearish housing
market.
http://www.state.nj.us/governor/news/news/55_2010/approved/20100122a_reports
.html
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of John Drucker
Sent: Saturday, January 23, 2010 2:27 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: KANSAS CONSIDERS LAW NOT ALLOWING LOCAL RESIDENTIAL FIRE SPRINKLER
CODES
And more out of Kansas.
There's a bigger problem brewing, the IBC currently requires sprinklers
throughout all buildings that contain an R fire area (use).
"[F] 903.2.7 Group R. An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance
with Section 903.3 shall be provided throughout all buildings with a Group R
fire area."
Legislation such as this has the broad effect of reaching beyond the recent
IRC modifications, threatening established fire safety provisions of the
IBC. We could be witnessing a step backwards.
John Drucker, CET
--------------------------------------------
KANSAS CONSIDERS LAW NOT ALLOWING LOCAL RESIDENTIAL FIRE SPRINKLER CODES.
HOUSE BILL No. 2515
By Committee on Commerce and Labor 1-21
AN ACT concerning cities and counties; relating to residential fire
protection sprinkler systems.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas:
Section 1. As used in this act:
(a) ''Municipality'' means any city or county.
(b) ''Residential structure'' means any improvement to real property to be
used or occupied as a single-family dwelling or multi-family dwelling of
four attached living units or less.
Sec. 2. On and after July 1, 2010, no municipality shall adopt or enforce
any ordinance, order, code, standard or rule requiring the installation of a
multi-purpose residential fire protection sprinkler system or any other fire
sprinkler protection system in any residential structure. Nothing in this
section shall prohibit any person from voluntarily installing a
multi-purpose residential fire protection sprinkler system or any other fire
sprinkler protection system in a residential structure.
Sec. 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its
publication in the statute book.
http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2010/2515.pdf
_______________________________________________
Sprinklerforum mailing list
[email protected]
http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum
For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected]
To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected]
(Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field)
_______________________________________________
Sprinklerforum mailing list
[email protected]
http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum
For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected]
To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected]
(Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field)
