Connecticut 2021 Regular Session

Connecticut House Bill HB06600 Compare Versions

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7+General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 6600
8+January Session, 2021
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4-Substitute House Bill No. 6600
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6-Public Act No. 21-165
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914 AN ACT CONCERNING SM OKE DETECTION AND WA RNING
10-EQUIPMENT, THE STATE FIRE PREVENTION AND FIRE SAFETY
11-CODES, THE CODE TRAINING AND EDUCATION BOARD OF
12-CONTROL, TEMPORARY FIRE MARSHALS, CERTAIN FIRE
13-REPORTS AND SMALL WATER HEATERS.
15+EQUIPMENT IN ALL RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS.
1416 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
1517 Assembly convened:
1618
17-Section 1. Section 29-292 of the general statutes is repealed and the
18-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021):
19-(a) (1) The State Fire Marshal and the Codes and Standards
20-Committee shall adopt and administer a Fire Safety Code and at any
21-time may amend the same in accordance with the provisions of section
22-29-292a. The code shall be based on [a] nationally recognized model fire
23-[code] and life safety codes and shall be revised as deemed necessary to
24-incorporate advances in technologies and improvements in construction
25-materials and any subsequent revisions to the [code] model fire and life
26-safety codes not later than eighteen months following the date of first
27-publication of such revisions, [to the code,] unless the State Fire Marshal
28-and the committee certify that a revision is not necessary for such
29-purpose. The [regulations in said] code shall provide for reasonable
30-safety from fire, smoke and panic therefrom, in all buildings, structures
31-and areas adjacent [thereto] to such buildings and structures, except in
32-private dwellings occupied by one or two families and upon all Substitute House Bill No. 6600
19+Section 1. Section 29-292 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1
20+following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 2
21+(a) (1) The State Fire Marshal and the Codes and Standards 3
22+Committee shall adopt and administer a Fire Safety Code and at any 4
23+time may amend the [same] code in accordance with the provisions of 5
24+section 29-292a. The code shall be based on a nationally recognized 6
25+model fire code and shall be revised as deemed necessary to incorporate 7
26+advances in technologies and improvements in construction materials 8
27+and any subsequent revisions to the code not later than eighteen months 9
28+following the date of first publication of such revisions to the model fire 10
29+code, unless the State Fire Marshal and the committee certify that a 11
30+revision is not necessary for such purpose. The [regulations in said] code 12
31+shall provide for reasonable safety from fire, smoke and panic 13
32+therefrom, in all buildings and areas adjacent thereto except in private 14
33+dwellings occupied by one or two families and upon all premises, and 15
34+shall include provision for (A) carbon monoxide detection and warning 16
35+equipment in (i) new residential buildings not exempt under 17
36+[regulations adopted pursuant to this subsection] the code and designed 18 Substitute Bill No. 6600
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36-premises. [, and] The code shall [include provision for (A)] require (1)
37-carbon monoxide detection and warning equipment in [(i)] (A) new
38-residential buildings not exempt under [regulations adopted pursuant
39-to this subsection] the code and designed to be occupied by one or two
40-families for which a building permit for new occupancy is issued on or
41-after October 1, 2005, and [(ii)] (B) all public or nonpublic school
42-buildings, and [(B)] (2) smoke detection and warning equipment in [(i)]
43-(A) residential buildings designed to be occupied by [two] one or more
44-families [, (ii) new residential buildings designed to be occupied by one
45-family for which a building permit for new occupancy is issued on or
46-after October 1, 1978, requiring equipment complying with the Fire
47-Safety Code, and (iii) new residential buildings designed to be occupied
48-by one or more families for which a building permit for new occupancy
49-is issued on or after October 1, 1985, requiring equipment capable of
50-operation using alternating current and batteries] when a smoke
51-detection and warning system is installed or replaced, and (B) new
52-residential buildings designed to be occupied by one or more families
53-for which a building permit for new occupancy is issued on or after July
54-1, 2021, requiring in buildings described in subparagraphs (A) and (B)
55-of this subdivision, equipment capable of operation using any power
56-source permitted in the standards adopted in the code.
57-(2) [Said regulations] The Fire Safety Code shall [provide the
58-requirements for markings and literature which shall accompany such
59-equipment sufficient to inform the occupants and owners of such
60-buildings of the purpose, protective limitations and correct installation,
61-operating, testing, maintenance and replacement procedures and
62-servicing instructions for such equipment and shall require that smoke
63-detection and warning equipment which is installed in such residential
64-buildings shall be capable of sensing visible or invisible smoke particles,
65-that the manner and location of installing smoke detectors shall be
66-approved by the local fire marshal or building official, that such
67-installation shall not exceed the standards under which such equipment Substitute House Bill No. 6600
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43+to be occupied by one or two families for which a building permit for 19
44+new occupancy is issued on or after October 1, 2005, and (ii) all public 20
45+or nonpublic school buildings, and (B) smoke detection and warning 21
46+equipment in [(i)] residential buildings designed to be occupied by [two] 22
47+one or more families. [, (ii) new residential buildings designed to be 23
48+occupied by one family for which a building permit for new occupancy 24
49+is issued on or after October 1, 1978, requiring equipment complying 25
50+with the Fire Safety Code, and (iii) new residential buildings designed 26
51+to be occupied by one or more families for which a building permit for 27
52+new occupancy is issued on or after October 1, 1985, requiring 28
53+equipment capable of operation using alternating current and batteries.] 29
54+(2) [Said regulations] The Fire Safety Code shall provide the 30
55+requirements for markings and literature which shall accompany such 31
56+equipment sufficient to inform the occupants and owners of such 32
57+buildings of the purpose, protective limitations and correct installation, 33
58+operating, testing, maintenance and replacement procedures and 34
59+servicing instructions for such equipment and shall require that smoke 35
60+detection and warning equipment which is installed in such residential 36
61+buildings shall be capable of sensing visible or invisible smoke particles, 37
62+that the manner and location of installing smoke detectors shall be 38
63+approved by the local fire marshal or building official, that such 39
64+installation shall not exceed the standards under which such equipment 40
65+was tested and approved and that such equipment, when activated, 41
66+shall provide an alarm suitable to warn the occupants, provided each 42
67+hotel, motel or inn shall install or furnish such equipment which, when 43
68+activated, shall provide a visible alarm suitable to warn occupants, in at 44
69+least one per cent of the units or rooms in such establishment having 45
70+one hundred or more units or rooms and in establishments having less 46
71+than one hundred units or rooms, it shall install or furnish at least one 47
72+such alarm. 48
73+(3) [Said regulations] The Fire Safety Code shall (A) provide the 49
74+requirements and specifications for the installation and use of carbon 50
75+monoxide detection and warning equipment and shall include, but not 51 Substitute Bill No. 6600
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71-was tested and approved and that such equipment, when activated,
72-shall provide an alarm suitable to warn the occupants, provided] require
73-each hotel, motel or inn [shall] to install or furnish [such] smoke
74-detection and warning equipment which, when activated, shall provide
75-a visible alarm suitable to warn occupants, in at least one per cent of the
76-units or rooms in such establishment having one hundred or more units
77-or rooms and to install or furnish at least one such visible alarm in
78-establishments having less than one hundred units or rooms. [, it shall
79-install or furnish at least one such alarm.]
80-[(3) Said regulations shall (A) provide the requirements and
81-specifications for the installation and use of carbon monoxide detection
82-and warning equipment and shall include, but not be limited to, the
83-location, power requirements and standards for such equipment and
84-exemptions for buildings that do not pose a risk of carbon monoxide
85-poisoning due to sole dependence on systems that do not emit carbon
86-monoxide; (B) provide the requirements for testing and inspecting
87-carbon monoxide detection and warning equipment installed in public
88-or nonpublic school buildings and shall include, but not be limited to,
89-the frequency with which such equipment shall be tested and inspected;
90-(C) require that, for a public or nonpublic school building, (i) any carbon
91-monoxide detection equipment installed in any such building meet or
92-exceed Underwriters Laboratories Standard Number 2075, or (ii) any
93-carbon monoxide warning equipment installed in any such building
94-meet or exceed Underwriters Laboratories Standard Number 2034; (D)
95-require the installation and maintenance of such detection or warning
96-equipment to comply with the manufacturer's instructions and with the
97-standards set forth by the National Fire Protection Association; and (E)
98-prohibit, for public and nonpublic school buildings for which a building
99-permit for new occupancy is issued on or after January 1, 2012, the
100-installation of any battery-operated carbon monoxide warning
101-equipment or any plug-in carbon monoxide warning equipment that
102-has a battery as its back-up power source.] Substitute House Bill No. 6600
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106-(b) (1) No certificate of occupancy shall be issued for any residential
107-building designed to be occupied by [two or more families, or any new
108-residential building designed to be occupied by] one or more families,
109-[for which a building permit for new occupancy is issued on or after
110-October 1, 1978,] unless the local fire marshal or building official has
111-certified that such building is equipped with smoke detection and
112-warning equipment complying with the Fire Safety Code and State
113-Building Code.
114-(2) No certificate of occupancy shall be issued for any (A) new
115-residential building not exempt under [regulations adopted pursuant to
116-subsection (a) of this section and designed to be occupied by one or two
117-families for which a building permit for new occupancy is issued on or
118-after October 1, 2005] the Fire Safety Code, or (B) public or nonpublic
119-school building for which a building permit for new occupancy is issued
120-on or after January 1, 2012, unless the local fire marshal or building
121-official has certified that such residential or school building is equipped
122-with carbon monoxide detection and warning equipment complying
123-with the Fire Safety Code and State Building Code.
124-(c) (1) No municipality, local or regional board of education, or
125-supervisory agent of a nonpublic school, and (2) no employee, officer or
126-agent of such municipality, board of education or supervisory agent
127-acting without malice, in good faith and within the scope of his or her
128-employment or official duties shall be liable for any damage to any
129-person or property resulting from the failure to detect carbon monoxide
130-within a public school building, provided carbon monoxide detection
131-equipment is installed and maintained in accordance with the
132-manufacturer's published instructions and with the [regulations
133-established pursuant to this section] Fire Safety Code.
134-Sec. 2. Section 20-491 of the general statutes is repealed and the
135-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021): Substitute House Bill No. 6600
82+be limited to, the location, power requirements and standards for such 52
83+equipment and exemptions for buildings that do not pose a risk of 53
84+carbon monoxide poisoning due to sole dependence on systems that do 54
85+not emit carbon monoxide; (B) provide the requirements for testing and 55
86+inspecting carbon monoxide detection and warning equipment installed 56
87+in public or nonpublic school buildings and shall include, but not be 57
88+limited to, the frequency with which such equipment shall be tested and 58
89+inspected; (C) require that, for a public or nonpublic school building, (i) 59
90+any carbon monoxide detection equipment installed in any such 60
91+building meet or exceed Underwriters Laboratories Standard Number 61
92+2075, or (ii) any carbon monoxide warning equipment installed in any 62
93+such building meet or exceed Underwriters Laboratories Standard 63
94+Number 2034; (D) require the installation and maintenance of such 64
95+detection or warning equipment to comply with the manufacturer's 65
96+instructions and with the standards set forth by the National Fire 66
97+Protection Association; and (E) prohibit, for public and nonpublic 67
98+school buildings for which a building permit for new occupancy is 68
99+issued on or after January 1, 2012, the installation of any battery-69
100+operated carbon monoxide warning equipment or any plug-in carbon 70
101+monoxide warning equipment that has a battery as its back-up power 71
102+source. 72
103+(b) (1) No certificate of occupancy shall be issued for any residential 73
104+building designed to be occupied by two or more families, or any new 74
105+residential building designed to be occupied by one or more families for 75
106+which a building permit for new occupancy is issued on or after October 76
107+1, 1978, unless the local fire marshal or building official has certified that 77
108+such building is equipped with smoke detection and warning 78
109+equipment complying with the Fire Safety Code. 79
110+(2) No certificate of occupancy shall be issued for any (A) new 80
111+residential building not exempt under [regulations adopted pursuant to 81
112+subsection (a) of this section] the Fire Safety Code and designed to be 82
113+occupied by one or two families for which a building permit for new 83
114+occupancy is issued on or after October 1, 2005, or (B) public or 84 Substitute Bill No. 6600
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139-(a) The commissioner, with the advice and assistance of the board,
140-shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54,
141-to: (1) Establish such qualifications for the licensing of home inspectors
142-as the commissioner finds necessary for the public interest; (2) establish
143-an application process for persons seeking a license as a home inspector;
144-(3) establish continuing education requirements and standards of
145-professional and ethical conduct for home inspectors; (4) publish a code
146-of ethics for home inspectors; [and] (5) establish such reasonable rules
147-and regulations as the commissioner may deem necessary or desirable
148-to carry out and enforce the provisions of sections 20-490 to 20-495a,
149-inclusive; and (6) establish a minimum and uniform standard for a home
150-inspection. The minimum and uniform standard for a home inspection
151-shall include a requirement that a home inspector report on the presence
152-of smoke detection and warning equipment and specify where such
153-equipment is located, the total number of such equipment, whether the
154-home inspector is able to test such equipment, and whether the home
155-inspector is able to verify that such equipment was less than ten years
156-old.
157-(b) The commissioner, with the advice and assistance of the board,
158-shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54,
159-to: (1) Establish the requirements for obtaining a permit as a home
160-inspector intern; (2) establish application procedures for persons
161-seeking a permit as a home inspector intern; (3) prescribe rules and
162-standards concerning the supervision of home inspector interns by
163-licensed home inspectors; and (4) adopt such reasonable regulations as
164-the commissioner may deem necessary or desirable to carry out and
165-enforce the provisions of sections 20-490 to 20-495a, inclusive. Such
166-regulations shall require, as a condition of receiving a permit as a home
167-inspector intern, that the applicant enroll in and complete a board-
168-approved training program which may include a home study course.
169-(c) The commissioner shall establish rules concerning hearings on any Substitute House Bill No. 6600
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121+nonpublic school building for which a building permit for new 85
122+occupancy is issued on or after January 1, 2012, unless the local fire 86
123+marshal or building official has certified that such residential or school 87
124+building is equipped with carbon monoxide detection and warning 88
125+equipment complying with the Fire Safety Code. 89
126+(c) (1) No municipality, local or regional board of education, or 90
127+supervisory agent of a nonpublic school, and (2) no employee, officer or 91
128+agent of such municipality, board of education or supervisory agent 92
129+acting without malice, in good faith and within the scope of his or her 93
130+employment or official duties shall be liable for any damage to any 94
131+person or property resulting from the failure to detect carbon monoxide 95
132+within a public school building, provided carbon monoxide detection 96
133+equipment is installed and maintained in accordance with the 97
134+manufacturer's published instructions and with the [regulations 98
135+established pursuant to this section] Fire Safety Code. 99
136+Sec. 2. Section 20-491 of the general statutes is repealed and the 100
137+following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2021): 101
138+(a) The commissioner, with the advice and assistance of the board, 102
139+shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, 103
140+to: (1) Establish such qualifications for the licensing of home inspectors 104
141+as the commissioner finds necessary for the public interest; (2) establish 105
142+an application process for persons seeking a license as a home inspector; 106
143+(3) establish continuing education requirements and standards of 107
144+professional and ethical conduct for home inspectors; (4) publish a code 108
145+of ethics for home inspectors; [and] (5) establish such reasonable rules 109
146+and regulations as the commissioner may deem necessary or desirable 110
147+to carry out and enforce the provisions of sections 20-490 to 20-495a, 111
148+inclusive; and (6) establish a minimum and uniform standard for any 112
149+home inspector who provides a home inspection. The minimum and 113
150+uniform standard for a home inspector shall, at a minimum, require a 114
151+home inspector providing a home inspection to report on the presence 115
152+of smoke detection and warning equipment and note (A) where such 116
153+equipment is located, (B) the total number of such equipment, (C) 117 Substitute Bill No. 6600
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173-matter under the provisions of sections 20-490 to 20-495a, inclusive.
174-Sec. 3. Section 29-291a of the general statutes is repealed and the
175-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021):
176-(a) The State Fire Marshal, in coordination with the advisory
177-committee established under subsection (b) of this section and in
178-accordance with the provisions of section 29-291e, shall adopt and
179-administer a State Fire Prevention Code based on a nationally
180-recognized fire [prevention] code. The code shall be used to enhance the
181-enforcement capabilities of local fire marshals and for the purposes of
182-prevention of fire and other related emergencies. The code shall be
183-revised as deemed necessary to incorporate any subsequent revisions to
184-the nationally recognized fire code not later than eighteen months
185-following the date of first publication of such revisions. The code shall
186-include provisions for oil burners, flammable and combustible liquids,
187-gas equipment and piping, liquefied gas and liquefied natural gas, [and]
188-hazardous chemicals, and processes and activities that occur in all
189-buildings and structures regulated by the code and the areas adjacent to
190-such buildings and structures.
191-(b) There is established an advisory committee consisting of nine
192-persons appointed by the State Fire Marshal. The State Fire Marshal
193-shall appoint two members selected from a list of individuals submitted
194-by the Codes and Standards Committee from the membership of said
195-committee and seven members representing local fire marshals, deputy
196-fire marshals and fire inspectors selected from a list of individuals
197-submitted by the Connecticut Fire Marshals Association.
198-(c) The State Fire Marshal may issue official interpretations of the
199-State Fire Prevention Code, including interpretations of the applicability
200-of any provision of the code, upon the request of any person. The State
201-Fire Marshal shall compile and index each interpretation and shall
202-publish such interpretations at periodic intervals not exceeding four Substitute House Bill No. 6600
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206-months.
207-Sec. 4. Section 29-291c of the general statutes is repealed and the
208-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021):
209-(a) When the State Fire Marshal or a local fire marshal ascertains that
210-there exists in any building, or upon any premises, a condition that
211-violates the State Fire Prevention Code or Fire Safety Code, the State Fire
212-Marshal or local fire marshal shall order such condition remedied by the
213-owner or occupant of such building or premises. Any such remedy shall
214-be in conformance with all building codes, ordinances, rules and
215-regulations of the municipality involved. Such owner or occupant shall
216-be subject to the penalties prescribed by subsection (e) of this section
217-and, in addition, may be fined fifty dollars a day for each day's
218-continuance of each violation, to be recovered in a proper action in the
219-name of the state.
220-(b) Upon failure of an owner or occupant to abate or remedy a
221-violation pursuant to subsection (a) of this section within a reasonable
222-period of time specified by the State Fire Marshal or the local fire
223-marshal, the local fire marshal shall promptly notify, in writing, the
224-prosecuting attorney having jurisdiction in the municipality in which
225-such violation or condition exists of all of the relevant facts. The local
226-fire marshal may request the chief executive officer, any official of the
227-municipality authorized to institute actions on behalf of the
228-municipality in which the hazard exists or the State Fire Marshal, to
229-apply to any court of equitable jurisdiction for an injunction against
230-such owner or occupant for the purpose of closing or restricting from
231-public service or use the place or premises containing the violation or
232-condition until the violation or condition has been remedied, or the State
233-Fire Marshal may apply for such an injunction without such request.
234-(c) The State Fire Marshal or any local fire marshal empowered to
235-enforce the State Fire Prevention Code or Fire Safety Code may, as an Substitute House Bill No. 6600
160+whether the home inspector is able to test such equipment, and (D) 118
161+whether the home inspector is able to verify that such equipment was 119
162+less than ten years old. 120
163+(b) The commissioner, with the advice and assistance of the board, 121
164+shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 122
165+to: (1) Establish the requirements for obtaining a permit as a home 123
166+inspector intern; (2) establish application procedures for persons 124
167+seeking a permit as a home inspector intern; (3) prescribe rules and 125
168+standards concerning the supervision of home inspector interns by 126
169+licensed home inspectors; and (4) adopt such reasonable regulations as 127
170+the commissioner may deem necessary or desirable to carry out and 128
171+enforce the provisions of sections 20-490 to 20-495a, inclusive. Such 129
172+regulations shall require, as a condition of receiving a permit as a home 130
173+inspector intern, that the applicant enroll in and complete a board-131
174+approved training program which may include a home study course. 132
175+(c) The commissioner shall establish rules concerning hearings on any 133
176+matter under the provisions of sections 20-490 to 20-495a, inclusive. 134
177+This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
178+sections:
236179
237-Public Act No. 21-165 8 of 16
180+Section 1 from passage 29-292
181+Sec. 2 October 1, 2021 20-491
238182
239-alternative to issuing an order pursuant to subsection (a) of this section,
240-give the owner or occupant a written citation for any violation of the
241-[State Fire Prevention Code] applicable code. No such citation may be
242-issued if the owner or occupant has been previously issued a citation for
243-the same violation by the State Fire Marshal or the local fire marshal
244-within six months prior to the current violation. Such citation shall
245-contain the name and address, if known, of the owner or occupant, the
246-specific offense charged and the time and place of the violation. The
247-citation shall be signed by the State Fire Marshal or local fire marshal
248-and shall be signed by the owner or occupant in acknowledgment that
249-such citation has been received. The State Fire Marshal or local fire
250-marshal shall, if practicable, deliver a copy of the citation to the owner
251-or occupant at the time and place of the violation or shall use some other
252-reasonable means of notification. Any person who is issued a citation
253-for violation of any provision of the State Fire Prevention Code or Fire
254-Safety Code in accordance with this subsection shall be fined not more
255-than two hundred fifty dollars.
256-(d) If a local fire marshal issues a citation pursuant to subsection (c)
257-of this section, the state shall remit to the municipalities in which the
258-violations occurred ninety per cent of the proceeds of the fine and shall
259-remit to the State Treasurer the remaining ten per cent. If the State Fire
260-Marshal issues a citation pursuant to said subsection, the state shall
261-remit to the State Treasurer the entire proceeds of the fine. Each clerk of
262-the Superior Court or the Chief Court Administrator, on or before the
263-thirtieth day of January, April, July and October in each year, shall
264-certify to the Comptroller the amount due for the previous quarter
265-under this subsection to each municipality served by the office of the
266-clerk or official.
267-(e) In addition to the fine prescribed in subsection (a) of this section,
268-any person who violates any provision of the State Fire Prevention Code
269-or Fire Safety Code shall be fined not less than two hundred dollars or Substitute House Bill No. 6600
183+Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
184+In Section 2(a), Subdivs. (5) and (6) were reordered for clarity.
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272-
273-more than one thousand dollars or be imprisoned not more than six
274-months, or both.
275-Sec. 5. Section 29-296 of the general statutes is repealed and the
276-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021):
277-The State Fire Marshal may grant variations or exemptions from, or
278-approve equivalent or alternate compliance with, particular provisions
279-of [any regulation issued under the provisions of section 29-292] the Fire
280-Safety Code or State Fire Prevention Code where strict compliance with
281-such provisions would entail practical difficulty or unnecessary
282-hardship, or is otherwise adjudged unwarranted, provided any such
283-variation or exemption or approved equivalent or alternate compliance
284-shall, in the opinion of the State Fire Marshal, secure the public safety.
285-Any application for a variation or exemption or equivalent or alternate
286-compliance received by a local fire marshal shall be forwarded to the
287-State Fire Marshal by first class mail [within] or electronic mail not later
288-than fifteen business days [of] after receipt by such local fire marshal
289-and shall be accompanied by a letter or electronic message from such
290-local fire marshal [that shall include comments on] regarding the merits
291-of the application.
292-Sec. 6. Subsection (b) of section 29-305 of the general statutes is
293-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
294-2021):
295-(b) Each local fire marshal shall inspect or cause to be inspected, at
296-least once each calendar year or as often as prescribed by the State Fire
297-Marshal pursuant to subsection (e) of this section, in the interests of
298-public safety, all buildings and facilities of public service and all
299-occupancies regulated by the Fire Safety Code or State Fire Prevention
300-Code within the local fire marshal's jurisdiction, except residential
301-buildings designed to be occupied by one or two families which shall be
302-inspected, upon complaint or request of an owner or occupant, only for Substitute House Bill No. 6600
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304-Public Act No. 21-165 10 of 16
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306-the purpose of determining whether the requirements specified in said
307-codes relative to smoke detection and warning equipment have been
308-satisfied. In the case of a school building, each local fire marshal shall
309-submit a written report to the local or regional board of education
310-documenting each such inspection.
311-Sec. 7. Subsection (c) of section 29-306 of the general statutes is
312-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
313-2021):
314-(c) If the local fire marshal or a local police officer determines that
315-there exists in a building a risk of death or injury from (1) blocked,
316-insufficient or impeded egress, (2) failure to maintain or the shutting off
317-of any fire protection or fire warning system required by the Fire Safety
318-Code or State Fire Prevention Code, (3) the storage of any flammable or
319-explosive material without a permit or in quantities in excess of any
320-allowable limits pursuant to a permit, (4) the use of any firework or
321-pyrotechnic device without a permit, or (5) exceeding the occupancy
322-limit established by the State Fire Marshal or a local fire marshal, such
323-fire marshal or police officer may issue a verbal or written order to
324-immediately vacate the building. Such fire marshal or police officer shall
325-notify or submit a copy of such order to the State Fire Marshal if such
326-marshal or officer anticipates that any of the conditions specified in
327-subdivisions (1) to (5), inclusive, of this subsection cannot be abated in
328-four hours or less from the time of such order. Upon receipt of any such
329-notification or copy, the State Fire Marshal shall review such order to
330-vacate, and after consultation with the local fire marshal or local police
331-officer, determine whether to uphold, modify or reverse such order,
332-with any further conditions the State Fire Marshal deems appropriate to
333-protect any person from injury. A violation of such order shall be subject
334-to the penalties under section [29-295] 29-291c, as amended by this act.
335-Sec. 8. Section 29-310 of the general statutes is repealed and the
336-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021): Substitute House Bill No. 6600
337-
338-Public Act No. 21-165 11 of 16
339-
340-(a) The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection
341-shall thoroughly investigate the cause, circumstances and origin of all
342-fires or explosions to which [his] the commissioner's attention has been
343-called, in accordance with the provisions of this part, by reason of which
344-any property has been destroyed or damaged, or any person injured or
345-killed, and shall especially examine and decide as to whether such fire
346-was the result of carelessness, design, an incendiary device or any other
347-criminal act. [He] The commissioner may take the testimony under oath
348-of any person supposed to be cognizant of or to have means of
349-knowledge in relation to the matters as to which an examination is being
350-made, and shall cause the same to be reduced to writing and filed in
351-[his] the commissioner's office; and if, in [his] the commissioner's
352-opinion, there is sufficient evidence to warrant that any person should
353-be charged with the crime of arson or any other crime, [he] the
354-commissioner shall forthwith submit such evidence, together with the
355-names of the witnesses and all other information obtained by [him] the
356-commissioner, to the proper prosecuting officer. [He] The commissioner
357-may, in any investigation, issue subpoenas for the purposes of
358-summoning and compelling the attendance of witnesses before [him]
359-the commissioner to testify. [He] The commissioner may administer
360-oaths or affirmations to witnesses before [him] the commissioner, and
361-false swearing therein shall be perjury. [He] The commissioner, or a
362-designee, may, in the performance of his or her duties, enter [, by himself
363-or his assistants,] into and upon the premises or building where any fire
364-or explosion has occurred and premises thereto adjacent in accordance
365-with the provisions of section 29-311.
366-(b) Whenever it comes to [his] the commissioner's knowledge or to
367-the knowledge of any local fire marshal that there exists in any building
368-or upon any premises combustible material or flammable conditions
369-dangerous to the safety of such building or premises or dangerous to
370-any other building or property, or conditions that present a fire hazard
371-to the occupants thereof, the State Fire Marshal, or any local fire marshal, Substitute House Bill No. 6600
372-
373-Public Act No. 21-165 12 of 16
374-
375-obtaining such knowledge, shall order such material to be forthwith
376-removed or such conditions remedied by the owner or occupant of such
377-building or premises, and such owner or occupant shall be subject to the
378-penalties prescribed [by] in section [29-295] 29-291c, as amended by this
379-act, and, in addition thereto, shall suffer a penalty of one hundred
380-dollars a day for each day of neglect, to be recovered in a proper action
381-in the name of the state.
382-Sec. 9. Section 29-313 of the general statutes is repealed and the
383-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021):
384-(a) No fire extinguishing agent used in a fire extinguisher or fire
385-extinguishing device may contain an active ingredient having a level of
386-toxicity equal to or greater than the vapors of carbon tetrachloride or
387-chlorobromomethane or the thermal decomposition products resulting
388-therefrom.
389-(b) No fire extinguisher or fire extinguishing device containing an
390-active agent having a level of toxicity equal to or greater than the vapors
391-of carbon tetrachloride or chlorobromomethane or the thermal
392-decomposition products resulting therefrom shall be used or installed
393-for use in any school bus or motor vehicle used for the transportation of
394-passengers for hire. The owner or operator of any such bus or vehicle
395-who violates any provision of this subsection shall be fined not more
396-than two hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than three months,
397-or both.
398-(c) Any person who sells, offers for sale or gives to another any fire
399-extinguisher or fire extinguishing device, containing or designed to
400-contain an active agent having an ingredient prohibited by subsection
401-(a) of this section shall be subject to the penalties prescribed [by] in
402-section [29-295] 29-291c, as amended by this act.
403-Sec. 10. Section 29-314 of the general statutes is repealed and the Substitute House Bill No. 6600
404-
405-Public Act No. 21-165 13 of 16
406-
407-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021):
408-Any person who sells, offers to sell or displays for sale any portable
409-fire extinguisher or any flame-proofing or fire retardant coating or
410-compound, unless such fire extinguisher, coating or compound has been
411-tested, listed and rated as satisfactory for its intended purpose by a
412-nationally recognized testing laboratory acceptable to the State Fire
413-Marshal and, in the case of a fire extinguisher, unless such fire
414-extinguisher contains no active agent having an ingredient prohibited
415-by section 29-313, as amended by this act, shall be subject to the penalties
416-prescribed in section [29-295] 29-291c, as amended by this act.
417-Sec. 11. Subsection (b) of section 29-251c of the general statutes is
418-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
419-2021, and applicable to appointments made on and after said date):
420-(b) There is established the Code Training and Education Board of
421-Control which shall promote code training and education. No funds
422-shall be expended for the purposes listed in subsection (a) of this section
423-without prior approval of the Code Training and Education Board of
424-Control. The board shall consist of seven members as follows: (1) [Three]
425-Four members of the [Building Code Training Council] Codes and
426-Standards Committee, one each of whom shall be appointed by the
427-speaker [,] and majority leader [and minority leader] of the House of
428-Representatives and the president pro tempore and majority leader of
429-the Senate, (2) [three members] one member of the Fire Marshal Training
430-Council, [one each of whom] who shall be appointed by the [president
431-pro tempore, majority leader and] minority leader of the [Senate] House
432-of Representatives, (3) one member of the Building Code Training
433-Council, who shall be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate,
434-and [(3)] (4) one architect, engineer, landscape architect, interior
435-designer, builder, contractor or superintendent of construction doing
436-business in this state, who shall be appointed by the Commissioner of
437-Administrative Services. The members of the board shall continue in Substitute House Bill No. 6600
438-
439-Public Act No. 21-165 14 of 16
440-
441-office for the term of three years from the first day of July next
442-succeeding their appointment. Vacancies on the board shall be filled by
443-the original appointing authority for the balance of the unexpired term.
444-Sec. 12. Section 29-297 of the general statutes is repealed and the
445-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021):
446-(a) The board of fire commissioners or, in the absence of such board,
447-any corresponding authority of each town, city or borough, or, if no such
448-board or corresponding authority exists, the legislative body of each
449-city, the board of selectmen of each town or the warden and burgesses
450-of each borough, or, in the case of an incorporated fire district, the
451-executive authority of such district shall appoint a local fire marshal and
452-such deputy fire marshals, fire inspectors and other fire code inspectors
453-or fire investigators as may be necessary. In making such appointment,
454-preference shall be given to a member of the regular or volunteer fire
455-department of such municipality. Each local fire marshal shall be sworn
456-to the faithful performance of his or her duties by the clerk of the town,
457-city, borough or fire district and shall continue to serve in that office
458-until removed for cause. Such clerk shall record his or her acceptance of
459-the position of local fire marshal and shall report the same in writing to
460-the State Fire Marshal within ten days thereafter, giving the name and
461-address of the local fire marshal and stating the limits of the territory in
462-which the local fire marshal is to serve.
463-(b) The board of fire commissioners or, in the absence of such board,
464-any corresponding authority of each town, city or borough or, if no such
465-board or corresponding authority exists, the legislative body of each
466-city, the board of selectmen of each town or the warden and burgesses
467-of each borough or, in the case of an incorporated fire district, the
468-executive authority of such district may, upon the death, disability,
469-dismissal, retirement or revocation of certification of the local fire
470-marshal, and in the absence of an existing deputy fire marshal, appoint
471-a [deputy fire marshal] person who holds a fire marshal certification Substitute House Bill No. 6600
472-
473-Public Act No. 21-165 15 of 16
474-
475-issued pursuant to section 29-298 as the acting fire marshal for a period
476-not to exceed one hundred eighty days.
477-Sec. 13. Section 29-303 of the general statutes is repealed and the
478-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021):
479-The fire chief or local fire marshal with jurisdiction over a town, city,
480-borough or fire district where a fire, explosion or other fire emergency
481-occurs shall furnish the State Fire Marshal a report that shall include (1)
482-all the facts relating to its cause, its origin, the kind, the estimated value
483-and ownership of the property damaged or destroyed, and (2) [the name
484-of each firefighter who was (A) present at such fire, explosion or other
485-fire emergency, and (B) exposed to heat, radiation or a known or
486-suspected carcinogen as a result of such fire, explosion or other fire
487-emergency, including the duration of each such firefighter's exposure,
488-and (3)] such other information as called for by the State Fire Marshal
489-on forms furnished by the State Fire Marshal, or in an electronic format
490-prescribed by the State Fire Marshal. The fire chief or fire marshal may
491-also submit reports regarding other significant fire department response
492-to such fire or explosion, and such reports may be filed monthly but
493-commencing January 1, 2008, such reports shall be filed not less than
494-quarterly.
495-Sec. 14. Section 29-231 of the general statutes is repealed and the
496-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
497-The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to: (1) Boilers under
498-federal control; (2) portable boilers used in pumping, heating, steaming
499-and drilling in the open field; (3) portable boilers used solely for
500-agricultural purposes; (4) steam heating boilers, hot water heaters and
501-hot water heating boilers, when used in private homes or apartment
502-houses of not more than five families; (5) hot water heaters approved by
503-a nationally recognized testing agency that are equipped with adequate
504-safety devices, including a temperature and pressure relief valve, (A) (i) Substitute House Bill No. 6600
505-
506-Public Act No. 21-165 16 of 16
507-
508-having a nominal water capacity of not more than one hundred twenty
509-gallons and a heat input of not more than two hundred thousand British
510-thermal units per hour, [and] (ii) used solely for hot water supply
511-carrying a pressure of not more than one hundred sixty pounds per
512-square inch and operating at temperatures of not more than two
513-hundred ten degrees Fahrenheit, [provided such heaters are] and (iii)
514-not installed in schools, day care centers, public or private hospitals,
515-nursing or boarding homes, churches or public buildings, as defined in
516-section 1-1, or (B) (i) having a nominal water capacity of not more than
517-ten gallons and a heat input of not more than twenty thousand British
518-thermal units per hour, and (ii) installed in any occupancy; (6) antique
519-or model boilers used in public, nonprofit engineering or scientific
520-museums and operated for educational, historical or exhibition
521-purposes having a shell diameter of less than twelve inches and a grate
522-surface area of less than one square foot; and (7) public service
523-companies, as defined in section 16-1.
524-Sec. 15. Sections 29-291b and 29-295 of the general statutes are
525-repealed. (Effective July 1, 2021)
526-
186+PS Joint Favorable Subst.
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