Public Safety and Security Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-845
AN ACT CONCERNING THE STATE FIRE PREVENTION AND FIRE SAFETY
CODES, MEMBERSHIP OF THE CODE TRAINING AND EDUCATION BOARD
OF CONTROL, APPOINTMENT OF A TEMPORARY FIRE MARSHAL AND
REPORTS FILED AFTER A FIRE, EXPLOSION OR OTHER FIRE
Title: EMERGENCY.
Vote Date: 3/24/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute
PH Date: 2/11/2021
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Public Safety and Security Committee
REASONS FOR BILL:
Under current CT fire and safety laws governing building safety, there exists two codes that
are applied to structures and buildings: the State Fire Prevention Code and the Fire Safety
Code. Current regulations, however, do not codify a clear jurisdiction whereby either code is
applied, leading to confusion when meeting building safety standards in new and old
structures alike. In addition to renaming the advisory committee as the Fire Prevention Code
Committee, the authority of the advisory committee that oversees the application and
enforcement of the aforementioned codes is enhanced to better its ability to address the
problems in applying and adhering to fire prevention and safety laws of CT. While this bill was
primarily drafted to address this problem related to the application and enforcement of each
codes provisions, it was also aimed to reduce the burdens placed upon fire chiefs or local fire
marshals to push out reports after a fire, explosion or other fire emergency occurs. In this, it
deletes a provision mandating such action and allows for the appointment of temporary fire
marshals in completing particular tasks.
The JFS for SB 845 revised and added language to the bill to primarily reflect the comments
made in the testimony submitted by the DAS regarding the application of the State Fire
Prevention Code, the application of the Fire Safety Code, and the sourcing members of Code
Training and Education Board of Control from the Codes and Standards Committee.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Bill Abott, State Fire Marshal, Department of Administrative Services (DAS) of CT
The DAS supports this bill but would prefer some technical and minor changes in its
languages be made. The DAS believes that the changes it offers to the bill further the desired
effects of the bill while addressing the problems that coincide with existing proposed
language and sourcing membership of Code Training and Education Board of Control from
the Building Code and Fire Marshals Training Councils. The DAS cites that the Building Code
and Fire Marshal Training Councils have historically struggled to retain members and thus
sourcing membership from them could be problematic. Instead, the DAS suggests that the
membership of the Code Training and Education Board of Control be sourced from members
of the Codes and Standards Committee which historically maintains its membership. The
DAS believes that technical changes should be made to (1) ensure the application of the Fire
Prevention Code applies to any processes (activities) that occur on or within buildings and
structures covered under the code as well as (2) delete proposed language requiring
committee procedures to be adopted through regulation. The DAS also believes that
technical changes should be made to (1) clarify the scope of the Fire Safety Code to include
application of the code to any structures in addition to buildings covered under the code, and
(2) to allow residential buildings, regardless of when they were built, to take advantage of
using modern technology for smoke detection.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Mike Muszynski, State and Federal Relations Manager, Connecticut Conference of
Municipalities (CCM)
The CCM supports this bill. The CCM supports the modifications the bill makes to Fire Safety
Codes, the provisions the bill affords to cities and towns in appointing temporary fire
marshals, and its removal of particular reporting requirements for fire chief and/or fire
marshals. The CCM believes that this bill provides greater flexibility for local fire officials to
complete their duties, including inspection requirements. The CCM believes that the last two
listed changes that it implements provide a necessary mandate relief and reduce burdens for
local fire officials.
Connecticut Realtors (CTR)
The CTR supports this bill. The CTR believes the measures of this bill, especially as it relates
to clarifying the authority and enforcement of the State Fire Prevention Code and the Fire
Safety Code, are necessary since the former predated the latter. The CTR is also supportive
of the accommodations that are made towards older buildings which allows for the integration
of newer fire safety devices aside from outdated, hard wired devices.
Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Connecticut (HBRA-CT), Inc.
The HBRA-CT supports this bill. The HBRA-CT believes that this bill implements changes
and necessary updates to the enforcement and statutory provisions provided under the State
Fire Prevention Code and the Fire Safety Code. The HBRA-CT believes these changes allow
builders and homeowners to take advantage newer products that integrate with smart home
technologies while still ensuring health and safety of Connecticuts residents.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
Page 2 of 3 SB-845
None Expressed
Reported by: John Gerke, Intern Date: 4/5/2021
Page 3 of 3 SB-845


Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 29-291a, 29-291c, 29-291d, 29-291e, 29-292, 29-293, 29-296, 29-310, 29-313, 29-314, 29-297, 29-303
PS Joint Favorable Substitute: 29-291a, 29-291c, 29-291d, 29-291e, 29-292, 29-293, 29-296, 29-310, 29-313, 29-314, 29-297, 29-303
File No. 399: 29-291a, 29-291c, 29-291d, 29-291e, 29-292, 29-293, 29-296, 29-310, 29-313, 29-314, 29-297, 29-303
JUD Joint Favorable: 29-291a, 29-291c, 29-291d, 29-291e, 29-292, 29-293, 29-296, 29-310, 29-313, 29-314, 29-297, 29-303