BILL ANALYSIS �
SB 912
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SENATE THIRD READING
SB 912 (Lieu)
As Amended August 24, 2012
Majority vote
SENATE VOTE : Vote not relevant
LABOR & EMPLOYMENT APPROPRIATIONS
(vote not relevant) (vote not relevant)
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SUMMARY : Authorizes specified contractors to install
residential fire protection systems for new single- and
two-family homes and authorizes the State Fire Marshal (SFM) to
adopt regulations for all occupancy buildings, as specified.
Specifically, this bill :
1)Authorizes a fire protection contractor, a plumbing
contractor, or a general contractor to install a residential
fire protection system for new single- and two-family homes.
2)Authorizes the SFM to adopt and administer regulations and
building standards for all occupancy buildings that are
necessary to ensure fire safety in buildings.
3)Requires building standards adopted by the SFM to be submitted
to the California Building Standards Commission for approval.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Provides for the licensing and regulation of contractors by
the Contractors State License Board within the Department of
Consumer Affairs.
2)Requires the installation of a fire protection system, as
specified, to be performed only by contractor holding a fire
protection contractor classification.
3)Requires the SFM to adopt and administer regulations and
building standards in order to establish and control a program
for servicing, testing, and maintaining all automatic fire
extinguishing systems, including, but not limited to, fire
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sprinkler systems.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, since this bill is not a mandate of the SFM, any
costs would be absorbable, and the SFM would only use this
authority only to the extent they could perform the work within
their existing resources.
COMMENTS : According to the author's office, the vast majority
of sprinkler systems that will be installed in new single- and
two-family dwellings will be a multipurpose fire sprinkler
system that supplies water to both fire sprinklers and
residential plumbing fixtures, instead of a stand-alone fire
sprinkler system that is separate and independent from the water
distribution system.
Existing law under Business and Professions Code (BPC) Section
7026.12 specifies that only a fire protection contractor can
install a sprinkler system. Existing law also requires that
only a plumbing contractor can perform work on residential
plumbing systems to distribute potable and non-potable water, at
varying temperatures and volumes, to and from a residence. The
author's office believes that a literal reading of BPC Section
7026.12 could be inferred to prohibit a plumbing contractor from
installing a multipurpose fire sprinkler system, even though
such a system incorporates plumbing fixtures. This bill
authorizes a fire protection contractor, a plumbing contractor,
or a general contractor to install a residential fire protection
system for new single- and two-family homes.
Current law requires the SFM to adopt and administer regulations
and building standards in order to establish and control a
program for servicing, testing, and maintaining all automatic
fire extinguishing systems, including, but not limited to, fire
sprinkler systems. This bill would clarify that the SFM may
adopt regulations for all occupancy buildings, including
low-rise buildings.
Analysis Prepared by : Joanna Gin / B.,P. & C.P. / (916)
319-3301
FN: 0005607
SB 912
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