Bill
Bill > A5028
NJ A5028
NJ A5028Requires certain residential buildings to have fire barriers in common attic areas.
summary
Introduced
11/14/2024
11/14/2024
In Committee
11/14/2024
11/14/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill would require all qualified residential buildings to have fire barriers in common attic areas over and above the separations between adjoining dwelling units. Open, unprotected common attic areas present a way for fires to quickly spread throughout a building, creating enormous risks to the safety of residents and firefighters. This bill would require that three-hour rated fire barriers be installed in these common attic areas to slow the spread of fires, which would provide more time for residents to safely evacuate and limit the scope of any fires that firefighters have to combat, while also limiting property damage. The bill defines a "qualified residential building" as any building or structure of three or more stories with two or more dwelling units. The bill requires the Commissioner of Community Affairs to adopt common attic area fire barrier regulations, on or before the first day of the sixth month next following the bill's effective date, for both new construction and existing buildings that would require a retrofit. For early stage new construction, an application for a construction permit could not be declared complete without providing for fire barriers if the application is not yet declared complete on or before the adoption of regulations. All other qualified residential buildings would have to comply with the fire barrier requirements within 180 days of the adoption of regulations. The bill makes the common attic area fire barrier requirement a part of the "Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law," P.L.1967, c.76 (C.55:13A-1 et seq.). Accordingly, a multiple dwelling that meets the definition of a "qualified residential building" would be inspected for compliance with this requirement as a part of the regular inspections under that law. A qualified residential building that does not meet the "multiple dwelling" definition would be subject to these inspections for the limited purpose of ensuring compliance with this requirement.
AI Summary
This bill requires all qualified residential buildings (defined as buildings with three or more stories and two or more dwelling units) to install three-hour rated fire barriers in common attic, loft, or cockloft areas that extend through the roof. The purpose is to slow the spread of fires and provide more time for residents to evacuate safely. The Commissioner of Community Affairs must develop and adopt regulations for these fire barriers within six months of the bill's effective date, covering both new construction and existing buildings. For new construction, building permit applications will not be considered complete without plans for these fire barriers. Existing qualified residential buildings will have 180 days after the regulations are adopted to install the required fire barriers. The bill defines a "fire barrier" as a fire-resistant wall assembly designed to restrict fire spread while maintaining continuity through the roof. Buildings will be subject to inspections to ensure compliance, and the requirement will be incorporated into the existing Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law. The bill takes immediate effect and applies to new construction permit applications not yet declared complete at the time of regulation adoption.
Committee Categories
Housing and Urban Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Housing Committee (on 11/14/2024)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A5028 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/A5500/5028_I1.HTM |
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