Requires certain large buildings in the city of New York to be retrofitted with sprinkler systems that are compliant with the NY state uniform fire prevention and building code.
Impact
If passed, the bill will require building owners to submit a compliance plan to local code enforcement agencies detailing how and when they will install the required sprinkler systems. Full installation must be completed within five years of the bill's enactment, with potential extensions allowed for up to two additional years under specified hardship conditions. This legislation introduces significant obligations for building owners, which may lead to increased operational costs but is positioned as a critical step toward improving safety standards.
Summary
Senate Bill S08005, known as the Fire Safety Retrofit Act of 2025, mandates that certain large buildings in New York City must be retrofitted with sprinkler systems that comply with the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code. Specifically, this bill targets buildings greater than seventy-five feet in height or those that exceed five thousand square feet in floor area. The legislation aims to enhance fire safety in densely populated urban areas, thereby reducing the risks associated with potential fire hazards in large structures.
Contention
While the bill aims to enhance public safety, it raises potential points of contention regarding the financial burden placed on property owners to retrofit existing buildings. Critics of the bill may argue that its requirements could disproportionately affect smaller property owners or those already facing financial difficulties. Additionally, the exemption for landmark or historical buildings may spark debates about the balance between maintaining historical integrity and ensuring modern safety standards, leading to discussions on how to protect such structures without compromising safety.
Requires the boards of trustees of SUNY and CUNY authorities to adopt rules to require the installing and retrofitting of dormitory buildings with sprinkler systems on or before March first, two thousand twenty-six.
Requires the state fire prevention and building code council to study and adopt uniform fire prevention and building code standards to promote fire safety and accessibility in single-exit, single stairway multi-unit residential buildings above 3 stories and up to at least 6 stories, based on a study of building codes existing in the city of New York and in other cities and jurisdictions that have adopted such buildings into their building codes.
Requires the state fire prevention and building code council to study and adopt uniform fire prevention and building code standards to promote fire safety and accessibility in single-exit, single stairway multi-unit residential buildings above 3 stories and up to at least 6 stories, based on a study of building codes existing in the city of New York and in other cities and jurisdictions that have adopted such buildings into their building codes.
Requires that when a complaint is made to local code enforcement of a violation of the uniform fire prevention and building code which results in the issuance of a compliance order, the complainant shall also be provided a copy of such order.
Requires the inspection of non-fireproof buildings every three years; requires compliance with the New York city housing maintenance code and the New York city construction codes; requires those dwellings not in compliance with such code at the time of inspection to make repairs or improvements necessary to comply with such standards within six months of such inspection, or a lien shall be placed upon the dwelling.
Requires the inspection of non-fireproof buildings every three years; requires compliance with the New York city housing maintenance code and the New York city construction codes; requires those dwellings not in compliance with such code at the time of inspection to make repairs or improvements necessary to comply with such standards within six months of such inspection, or a lien shall be placed upon the dwelling.
Relates to application of the state uniform fire prevention and building code and relevant local building and fire regulations; directs OGS to implement a phase-in of compliance.