ARTICLE
This Legislative Update provides NAFED members with information related to new and/or modified fire protection and fire safety regulations/requirements at the state level. The report is not all-encompassing but rather informational and directional in nature. Should you be interested in learning more about a specific initiative listed, please click on the applicable link. ARKANSAS AR HB1163: An Act for The Department of Labor & Licensing - Boards & Commissions Appropriation 2025-2026 Fiscal Year. This bill provides a comprehensive appropriation for the Department of Labor and Licensing's various boards and commissions for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, detailing specific funding allocations and personnel authorizations for multiple licensing and regulatory entities and boards including the Fire Protection Licensing Board. The bill includes provisions for fund transfers, compliance with state fiscal control laws, and legislative intent, and contains an emergency clause to ensure the appropriations can take effect on July 1, 2025. Learn More » FLORIDA CS/CS/CS/HB 683: Construction Regulations This bill addresses multiple aspects of construction regulations in Florida, covering a wide range of areas. The legislation also includes provisions for elevator accessibility, alarm system contractors, and creates exemptions for certain systems in spaceport territories. Notably, the bill prohibits governmental entities from penalizing contractors based on the volume of construction work they perform and streamlines various administrative processes in construction-related regulations. The changes are set to take effect on July 1, 2025, providing stakeholders time to adapt to the new requirements. “Alarm System Contractor” information is found in Subsection (7) of section 489.505, which is page 15 of the document. Learn More » NEW JERSEY NJ A3894: Amends Certain Fire Safety Statutes to Update Licensure & Equipment Requirements and Liability, Fee, and Penalty Provisions; Expands Membership of Fire Protection Equipment Advisory Committee This enacted bill updates several fire safety statutes to improve safety regulations, equipment requirements, and administrative processes. The bill requires residential structures with two or fewer households to have smoke-sensitive alarm devices on each level and near sleeping areas, with a specific requirement to label secondary power sources near the electrical panel. It modifies certification requirements for changes in building occupancy, mandating that owners obtain a compliance certificate before selling, leasing, or permitting residential use. The bill expands the Fire Protection Equipment Advisory Committee to include 12 public members from various fire safety and trade organizations, ensuring broad representation. Additionally, the bill updates licensing standards for fire inspectors, establishing more rigorous educational and examination requirements, and provides a two-year transition period for existing licensed inspectors to obtain new certifications. Learn More » NORTH CAROLINA NC S700: Create the Office of Engineering and Codes This bill creates the Office of Engineering and Codes within the Department of Labor, transferring several existing boards, councils, and divisions from the Department of Insurance to this new office. The State Engineer, who will be appointed by the Commissioner of Labor and confirmed by the General Assembly, will head the office and serve a three-year term. The new office will be responsible for overseeing multiple existing entities, including the Building Code Council, Residential Code Council, North Carolina Manufactured Housing Board, Uniform Standards Code for Manufactured Homes, North Carolina Code Officials Qualification Board, North Carolina Home Inspector Licensure Board, and the Engineering and Building Codes Division. The bill provides detailed provisions for the State Engineer's powers, including the ability to adopt rules, conduct hearings, impose civil penalties, and supervise local inspectors. The legislation also ensures a smooth transition of personnel, ongoing investigations, and existing orders from the current Office of the State Fire Marshal to the new Office of Engineering and Codes. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2026, and aim to consolidate and streamline various building, code, and housing-related regulatory functions under a single administrative structure. Learn More » SB 374: Licensing Certain Fire Safety Equipment Work Recently filed, the proposed act would require licensing and permitting for individuals and firms that install and service portable fire extinguishers and fire suppression systems. Specifically, the "Licensing and Permitting for the Installation and Servicing of Portable Fire Extinguishers and Fire Suppression Systems.” Both pre-engineered and engineered type suppression systems are called out. If successfully enacted, the OSFM would oversee the creation and enforcement of licensing rules and regulations. Learn More » OKLAHOMA Office of the State Fire Marshal Effective 15 April 2025, paper plans will no longer be accepted in person or by mail. ALL building permit applications and related permit applications, including medical marijuana facilities, must be submitted using the Oklahoma State Fire Marshal’s Office ACA (Accela Citizen Access) Customer Portal for Plan Review Applications located at the bottom of the Electronic Plan Review website page (see “learn more” link below). Projects involving marijuana are required to submit under the “Marijuana Permits” tab within the ACA Customer Portal. Before submitting any online project, please read the OKSFM Accela EPR Guidebook in its entirety. Effective Immediately: Project name changes, multiple name changes and/or address changes will not be allowed until ALL permits required are issued. In addition, only ONE address and/or name change will be allowed and shall be requested PRIOR to the closeout inspection report and issuance of a certificate of occupancy. Learn More » WEST VIRGINIA Office of the State Fire Marshal Emergency Rule – Limited Use Food Preparation Facilities An emergency rule published by the WV Fire Marshal's office with the Secretary of State approval has been implemented. The emergency rule promulgated addresses the time-sensitive nature of the upcoming fair and festival seasons in the Spring and Summer sessions of 2025 with relation to “Limited Use Food Preparation Facilities.” The rule could not be amended through the legislative process until 2026 and there was an emergent need for the exception included in this emergency rule this summer. HB 2074 and SB 544 were introduced in both chambers of the legislature to address this issue. However, during testimony, it was discussed that the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) would be tasked with enforcing the existing fire code regarding limited use food preparation facilities. Therefore, the house and senate bills were withdrawn in placement of the emergency rule. According to the Emergency Rule, “limited food preparation facilities” are defined as stationary, stand-alone or individual food preparation booths which cook and serve food for a short period of time throughout the year, not to exceed 15 days per year. As such existing fire code rules for the installation of ventilation hoods and automatic fire suppression may not apply to limited use food preparation facilities. Refer to Section 2.2.d, pages 6-7 of the rule for additional information. The emergency rule also confirmed the “Necessity of NICET Certification for Fire Protection & Fire Alarm Systems.” See Section 2.4 on page 16 of the rule for complete details. Learn More »
This Legislative Update provides NAFED members with information related to new and/or modified fire protection and fire safety regulations/requirements at the state level. The report is not all-encompassing but rather informational and directional in nature. Should you be interested in learning more about a specific initiative listed, please click on the applicable link.
ARKANSAS
AR HB1163: An Act for The Department of Labor & Licensing - Boards & Commissions Appropriation 2025-2026 Fiscal Year. This bill provides a comprehensive appropriation for the Department of Labor and Licensing's various boards and commissions for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, detailing specific funding allocations and personnel authorizations for multiple licensing and regulatory entities and boards including the Fire Protection Licensing Board. The bill includes provisions for fund transfers, compliance with state fiscal control laws, and legislative intent, and contains an emergency clause to ensure the appropriations can take effect on July 1, 2025.
Learn More »
FLORIDA
CS/CS/CS/HB 683: Construction Regulations This bill addresses multiple aspects of construction regulations in Florida, covering a wide range of areas. The legislation also includes provisions for elevator accessibility, alarm system contractors, and creates exemptions for certain systems in spaceport territories. Notably, the bill prohibits governmental entities from penalizing contractors based on the volume of construction work they perform and streamlines various administrative processes in construction-related regulations. The changes are set to take effect on July 1, 2025, providing stakeholders time to adapt to the new requirements. “Alarm System Contractor” information is found in Subsection (7) of section 489.505, which is page 15 of the document.
NEW JERSEY
NJ A3894: Amends Certain Fire Safety Statutes to Update Licensure & Equipment Requirements and Liability, Fee, and Penalty Provisions; Expands Membership of Fire Protection Equipment Advisory Committee This enacted bill updates several fire safety statutes to improve safety regulations, equipment requirements, and administrative processes. The bill requires residential structures with two or fewer households to have smoke-sensitive alarm devices on each level and near sleeping areas, with a specific requirement to label secondary power sources near the electrical panel. It modifies certification requirements for changes in building occupancy, mandating that owners obtain a compliance certificate before selling, leasing, or permitting residential use. The bill expands the Fire Protection Equipment Advisory Committee to include 12 public members from various fire safety and trade organizations, ensuring broad representation. Additionally, the bill updates licensing standards for fire inspectors, establishing more rigorous educational and examination requirements, and provides a two-year transition period for existing licensed inspectors to obtain new certifications.
NORTH CAROLINA
NC S700: Create the Office of Engineering and Codes This bill creates the Office of Engineering and Codes within the Department of Labor, transferring several existing boards, councils, and divisions from the Department of Insurance to this new office. The State Engineer, who will be appointed by the Commissioner of Labor and confirmed by the General Assembly, will head the office and serve a three-year term. The new office will be responsible for overseeing multiple existing entities, including the Building Code Council, Residential Code Council, North Carolina Manufactured Housing Board, Uniform Standards Code for Manufactured Homes, North Carolina Code Officials Qualification Board, North Carolina Home Inspector Licensure Board, and the Engineering and Building Codes Division. The bill provides detailed provisions for the State Engineer's powers, including the ability to adopt rules, conduct hearings, impose civil penalties, and supervise local inspectors. The legislation also ensures a smooth transition of personnel, ongoing investigations, and existing orders from the current Office of the State Fire Marshal to the new Office of Engineering and Codes. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2026, and aim to consolidate and streamline various building, code, and housing-related regulatory functions under a single administrative structure.
SB 374: Licensing Certain Fire Safety Equipment Work Recently filed, the proposed act would require licensing and permitting for individuals and firms that install and service portable fire extinguishers and fire suppression systems. Specifically, the "Licensing and Permitting for the Installation and Servicing of Portable Fire Extinguishers and Fire Suppression Systems.” Both pre-engineered and engineered type suppression systems are called out. If successfully enacted, the OSFM would oversee the creation and enforcement of licensing rules and regulations.
OKLAHOMA
Office of the State Fire Marshal Effective 15 April 2025, paper plans will no longer be accepted in person or by mail. ALL building permit applications and related permit applications, including medical marijuana facilities, must be submitted using the Oklahoma State Fire Marshal’s Office ACA (Accela Citizen Access) Customer Portal for Plan Review Applications located at the bottom of the Electronic Plan Review website page (see “learn more” link below). Projects involving marijuana are required to submit under the “Marijuana Permits” tab within the ACA Customer Portal. Before submitting any online project, please read the OKSFM Accela EPR Guidebook in its entirety. Effective Immediately: Project name changes, multiple name changes and/or address changes will not be allowed until ALL permits required are issued. In addition, only ONE address and/or name change will be allowed and shall be requested PRIOR to the closeout inspection report and issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
WEST VIRGINIA
Office of the State Fire Marshal Emergency Rule – Limited Use Food Preparation Facilities An emergency rule published by the WV Fire Marshal's office with the Secretary of State approval has been implemented. The emergency rule promulgated addresses the time-sensitive nature of the upcoming fair and festival seasons in the Spring and Summer sessions of 2025 with relation to “Limited Use Food Preparation Facilities.” The rule could not be amended through the legislative process until 2026 and there was an emergent need for the exception included in this emergency rule this summer. HB 2074 and SB 544 were introduced in both chambers of the legislature to address this issue. However, during testimony, it was discussed that the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) would be tasked with enforcing the existing fire code regarding limited use food preparation facilities. Therefore, the house and senate bills were withdrawn in placement of the emergency rule. According to the Emergency Rule, “limited food preparation facilities” are defined as stationary, stand-alone or individual food preparation booths which cook and serve food for a short period of time throughout the year, not to exceed 15 days per year. As such existing fire code rules for the installation of ventilation hoods and automatic fire suppression may not apply to limited use food preparation facilities. Refer to Section 2.2.d, pages 6-7 of the rule for additional information. The emergency rule also confirmed the “Necessity of NICET Certification for Fire Protection & Fire Alarm Systems.” See Section 2.4 on page 16 of the rule for complete details.