STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2024 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Senator LINDA R. GREENSTEIN
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
Senator SHIRLEY K. TURNER
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
SYNOPSIS
Concerns automatic fire sprinkler systems within newly constructed townhouses.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act concerning automatic fire sprinkler systems within newly constructed townhouses and supplementing P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. A newly constructed townhouse subject to the one-and two-family dwelling subcode, adopted by the Commissioner of Community Affairs pursuant to section 5 of P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-123), adopted as N.J.A.C.5:23-3.21, or succeeding subcode, for which an application for a construction permit has not been declared complete by the enforcing agency before the first day of the seventh month next following the date of enactment of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), shall be installed with an automatic fire sprinkler system.
b. On or before the first day of the fifth month next following the date of enactment of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), the Commissioner of Community Affairs shall adopt, pursuant to section 5 of the "State Uniform Construction Code Act," P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-123) and the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), rules and regulations to amend and supplement, as necessary, the one- and two-family dwelling subcode, and any other necessary components of the State Uniform Construction Code, to establish standards for the design and construction of townhouses to comply with P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the legislature as this bill). The rules and regulations shall incorporate the provisions of the 2021 International Residential Code, Section R313.1, or any successor model code, for the installation of an automatic fire sprinkler systems.
c. As used in this section:
"Automatic fire sprinkler system" means an integrated system of underground and overhead piping designed in accordance with fire protection engineering standards and shall include a suitable water supply. The portion of the system above the ground is a network of specially sized or hydraulically designed piping installed in a structure or area, generally overhead, and to which automatic sprinklers are connected in a systematic pattern. The system is generally activated by heat from a fire and discharges water over the fire area.
"Townhouse" means a single-family dwelling unit constructed in a group of three or more attached units in which each unit extends from foundation to roof and with a yard or public way on not less than two sides.
2. This act shall take effect on the first day of the seventh month next following the date of enactment, except that the Commissioner of Community Affairs may take anticipatory action necessary to implement the provisions of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
STATEMENT
This bill requires the installation of an automatic fire sprinkler system in new townhouses for which a construction permit application has not been declared complete prior to the effective date of the bill, and requires the Commissioner of Community Affairs to adopt rules and regulations incorporating International Residential Code guidance pertaining to such installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems within five months of the date of enactment.