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