House File 533 - Introduced HOUSE FILE BY SHOMSHOR Passed House, Date Passed Senate, Date Vote: Ayes Nays Vote: Ayes Nays Approved A BILL FOR 1 An Act requiring automatic sprinkler systems in school buildings. 2 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 3 TLSB 2135YH 82 4 eg/je/5 PAG LIN 1 1 Section 1. NEW SECTION. 100.39A AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER 1 2 SYSTEMS IN SCHOOLS. 1 3 1. a. A school approved for construction after July 1, 1 4 2007, shall have an approved automatic sprinkler system, as 1 5 defined in section 100C.1, designed and installed in 1 6 conformity with rules promulgated by the state fire marshal 1 7 pursuant to this chapter. The rules shall require compliance 1 8 with national fire protection association standards. A 1 9 governmental subdivision shall not issue a certificate of 1 10 occupancy or use absent compliance with this section by the 1 11 school. 1 12 b. For purposes of this section, "school" means a public 1 13 or private school which provides teaching for any grade from 1 14 kindergarten through grade twelve. 1 15 2. A school that is in existence or under construction on 1 16 July 1, 2007 shall have an approved automatic sprinkler system 1 17 designed and installed in conformity with rules promulgated by 1 18 the state fire marshal pursuant to this chapter on or before 1 19 July 1, 2012. A school that has an approved automatic fire 1 20 extinguishing system installed pursuant to section 100.39 1 21 shall be deemed in compliance with this section. 1 22 3. Plans and installation of automatic sprinkler systems 1 23 shall be approved by the state fire marshal, a designee of the 1 24 state fire marshal, or local authorities having jurisdiction. 1 25 Except where local fire protection regulations are more 1 26 stringent, the provisions of this section shall be applicable 1 27 to all schools. The definition of terms shall be in 1 28 conformity, insofar as possible, with definitions found in the 1 29 state building code adopted pursuant to section 103A.7. 1 30 4. The state fire marshal may implement a program of 1 31 inspections to monitor compliance with this section. Upon 1 32 inspection, the state fire marshal shall issue a written 1 33 notice to the school of compliance or noncompliance with this 1 34 section. 1 35 Sec. 2. CONTINGENT EFFECTIVENESS. This Act shall not take 2 1 effect unless an appropriation is enacted or the state's share 2 2 of the cost of this Act is specified in accordance with 2 3 section 25B.2, subsection 3. 2 4 EXPLANATION 2 5 This bill requires that all school buildings constructed 2 6 after July 1, 2007, have an automatic sprinkler system. The 2 7 bill requires that school buildings in existence on or being 2 8 constructed as of July 1, 2007, have automatic sprinkler 2 9 systems installed on or before July 1, 2012. Schools that 2 10 already have an automatic fire extinguishing system installed 2 11 pursuant to Code section 100.39 are deemed to be in compliance 2 12 with the automatic sprinkler system requirement. 2 13 The bill requires that the automatic sprinkler systems meet 2 14 the national fire protection association standards. The bill 2 15 also requires that the plans and installation of the automatic 2 16 sprinkler systems be approved by the state fire marshal, a 2 17 designee of the state fire marshal, or local authorities 2 18 having jurisdiction. If local fire protection standards are 2 19 more stringent, these standards apply. To the extent 2 20 possible, the definition of terms must conform with the state 2 21 building code. 2 22 The state fire marshal may implement a program of 2 23 inspections to monitor compliance. Upon inspection, the state 2 24 fire marshal is to issue a written notice to the school of 2 25 compliance or noncompliance. 2 26 The bill contains a contingent effectiveness provision 2 27 which states that the bill does not take effect unless the 2 28 state complies with the state mandate funding requirement of 2 29 Code section 25B.2, which requires funding for the cost of the 2 30 state mandate to be provided or specified. 2 31 LSB 2135YH 82 2 32 eg:nh/je/5