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. ATLANTIC REGION - Hurricane States The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) provided notice that it will not take enforcement action against any person for filling (during the period of this enforcement discretion) a DOT-specification cylinder used to transport Division 2.2 (non-flammable) gas that is overdue for periodic requalification by not more than 12 months within the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. This action is being taken due to the storm damage in the impacted states by Hurricane Helene. Complete details on the enforcement discretion can be found on the DOT PHMSA website. Learn More » ARKANSAS Arkansas State Police, Department of Public Safety – Division of Emergency Management, has announced an update to the state fire code. The Arkansas Fire Prevention Code ("AFPC'' or "Fire Code" or "Code'') 2021 edition, which supersedes the 2012 edition, has been developed to assist in preventing and controlling fires in and outside of structures in the State of Arkansas. Learn More » CALIFORNIA Notice was given by the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) on behalf of the State Fire Marshal proposes to adopt, approve, codify, and publish changes to building standards contained in the California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 24, Part 1. The SFM is proposing building standards related to the 2024 Triennial rulemaking code cycle. Learn More » GEORGIA The George State Fire Marshal's Office has released a memorandum regarding portable fire extinguisher work performed by companies that are located outside Georgia. The memorandum only covers the recharging, repairing, servicing, or testing of portable fire extinguishers or fire suppression systems, as referenced in GA Rule 120-3-23-.01(1) and O.C.G.A. Title 25-12-1. In essence, the state will accept six-year maintenance and hydrostatic testing performed outside the state, but extinguishers must bear the approved tag of a Georgia-licensed fire extinguisher company. Questions can be directed to the Fire Safety Division – Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Fire Safety at (470) 572-5722 or https://oci.georgia.gov/ Learn More » NEVADA Nevada’s State Fire Marshal's Office has announced a regulation relating to fire protection; establishing certain requirements relating to the inspection of a fire damper, smoke damper or combination fire and smoke damper; establishing certain requirements relating to the inspection of a smoke control system; establishing certain requirements relating to the inspection of a Type 1 exhaust system and associated ventilation system. Learn More » NEW JERSEY Amends certain fire safety statutes to update licensure and equipment requirements and liability, fee, and penalty provisions; expands membership of Fire Protection Equipment Advisory Committee. Specifically, it updates requirements for smoke-sensitive alarm devices, removes requirements for portable fire extinguishers, modifies provisions related to certificates of occupancy, increases fines for noncompliance, updates the licensing process for fire inspectors and officials, and clarifies liability for unpaid fees and penalties when ownership or tenancy changes. Learn More » OREGON Notice of Proposed Rule Making - Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division - Proposed Adoption of Federal OSHA Changes to Hazard Communication, [pg. 28]. On May 20,2024, federal OSHA announced final rule amendments to the Hazard Communication standard in the Federal Register, 5/20/24, FR vol.89, no. 98. Federal OSHA is amending the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to conform to the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), primarily Revision 7 (Rev. 7), to address issues that arose during the implementation of the 2012 update to the HCS and provide better alignment with other U.S. agencies and international trading partners, while enhancing the effectiveness of the standard. Learn More » TENNESSEE The Commissioner of the Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI), which houses the Fire Prevention Division and the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO), proposes new rules to facilitate Public Chapter 771, Public Acts of 2024. The rules establish the registration requirements and procedures for the use of third-party plans examiners and third-party inspectors in lieu of examinations and inspections by an exempt jurisdiction. 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.
ATLANTIC REGION - Hurricane States
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) provided notice that it will not take enforcement action against any person for filling (during the period of this enforcement discretion) a DOT-specification cylinder used to transport Division 2.2 (non-flammable) gas that is overdue for periodic requalification by not more than 12 months within the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. This action is being taken due to the storm damage in the impacted states by Hurricane Helene. Complete details on the enforcement discretion can be found on the DOT PHMSA website.
Learn More »
ARKANSAS
Arkansas State Police, Department of Public Safety – Division of Emergency Management, has announced an update to the state fire code. The Arkansas Fire Prevention Code ("AFPC'' or "Fire Code" or "Code'') 2021 edition, which supersedes the 2012 edition, has been developed to assist in preventing and controlling fires in and outside of structures in the State of Arkansas.
CALIFORNIA
Notice was given by the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) on behalf of the State Fire Marshal proposes to adopt, approve, codify, and publish changes to building standards contained in the California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 24, Part 1. The SFM is proposing building standards related to the 2024 Triennial rulemaking code cycle.
GEORGIA
The George State Fire Marshal's Office has released a memorandum regarding portable fire extinguisher work performed by companies that are located outside Georgia. The memorandum only covers the recharging, repairing, servicing, or testing of portable fire extinguishers or fire suppression systems, as referenced in GA Rule 120-3-23-.01(1) and O.C.G.A. Title 25-12-1. In essence, the state will accept six-year maintenance and hydrostatic testing performed outside the state, but extinguishers must bear the approved tag of a Georgia-licensed fire extinguisher company. Questions can be directed to the Fire Safety Division – Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Fire Safety at (470) 572-5722 or https://oci.georgia.gov/
NEVADA
Nevada’s State Fire Marshal's Office has announced a regulation relating to fire protection; establishing certain requirements relating to the inspection of a fire damper, smoke damper or combination fire and smoke damper; establishing certain requirements relating to the inspection of a smoke control system; establishing certain requirements relating to the inspection of a Type 1 exhaust system and associated ventilation system.
NEW JERSEY
Amends certain fire safety statutes to update licensure and equipment requirements and liability, fee, and penalty provisions; expands membership of Fire Protection Equipment Advisory Committee. Specifically, it updates requirements for smoke-sensitive alarm devices, removes requirements for portable fire extinguishers, modifies provisions related to certificates of occupancy, increases fines for noncompliance, updates the licensing process for fire inspectors and officials, and clarifies liability for unpaid fees and penalties when ownership or tenancy changes.
OREGON
Notice of Proposed Rule Making - Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division - Proposed Adoption of Federal OSHA Changes to Hazard Communication, [pg. 28]. On May 20,2024, federal OSHA announced final rule amendments to the Hazard Communication standard in the Federal Register, 5/20/24, FR vol.89, no. 98. Federal OSHA is amending the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to conform to the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), primarily Revision 7 (Rev. 7), to address issues that arose during the implementation of the 2012 update to the HCS and provide better alignment with other U.S. agencies and international trading partners, while enhancing the effectiveness of the standard.
TENNESSEE
The Commissioner of the Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI), which houses the Fire Prevention Division and the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO), proposes new rules to facilitate Public Chapter 771, Public Acts of 2024. The rules establish the registration requirements and procedures for the use of third-party plans examiners and third-party inspectors in lieu of examinations and inspections by an exempt jurisdiction.