Bill

Bill > S374


NJ S374

NJ S374
Requires bidders on public works construction projects to submit information on fire safety features.


summary

Introduced
01/09/2024
In Committee
01/09/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill requires a bidder on any contract for the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, renovation, preservation, or improvement of any public building or of any public work to be paid for in whole or in part with or out of public funds, to include in the bid documents detailed information on all fire safety features that will be included in that project. If a bidder does not propose the use of a sprinkler system to suppress fires and proposes, instead, the use of an alternative technology, that bidder must provide a written explanation in the bid documents of why the alternative technology should be used instead of a sprinkler system, including a cost-benefit analysis of both a sprinkler system and the alternative technology. Although the vast majority of buildings built or repaired using public funds have a sprinkler system, the bill's sponsor seeks to reinforce that all available fire suppression techniques that could be applied were examined and studied, as he is reminded of the Boland Hall fire at Seton Hall University, where three students died and many more were injured. In that case, there was no fire sprinkler suppression system, even if the building itself was up to code.

AI Summary

This bill requires that any company bidding on a public construction project, whether it's building a new public building or improving an existing one using public money, must provide detailed information about all the fire safety features planned for the project. If a bidder proposes using a fire suppression technology other than a sprinkler system, they must submit a written explanation justifying their choice, including a comparison of the costs and benefits of both their proposed alternative and a sprinkler system. This measure is intended to ensure that all fire suppression options are thoroughly considered for public projects, a concern highlighted by a tragic fire at Seton Hall University where a lack of sprinklers contributed to fatalities, even though the building met existing codes.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee (on 01/09/2024)

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