Executive Office of Public Executive Office of Public Safety Safety Department of Fire Services Department of Fire Services Department of Public Safety Department of Public Safety Workshop on Workshop on Chapter 304 – Fire Act of 2004 Chapter 304 – Fire Act of 2004 An Act Relative to Fire Safety in the An Act Relative to Fire Safety in the Commonwealth Commonwealth
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Executive Office of Public Safety Department of Fire Services Department of Public Safety Workshop on Chapter 304 – Fire Act of 2004 An Act Relative to.
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Executive Office of Public SafetyExecutive Office of Public SafetyDepartment of Fire ServicesDepartment of Fire Services
Department of Public Safety Department of Public Safety
Workshop onWorkshop on Chapter 304 – Fire Act of 2004Chapter 304 – Fire Act of 2004
An Act Relative to Fire Safety in An Act Relative to Fire Safety in the Commonwealththe Commonwealth
Workshop onWorkshop on Chapter 304 – Fire Act of 2004Chapter 304 – Fire Act of 2004
An Act Relative to Fire Safety in An Act Relative to Fire Safety in the Commonwealththe Commonwealth
Workshop AgendaWorkshop Agenda Chapter 304 - Fire Act of 2004Chapter 304 - Fire Act of 2004
Workshop AgendaWorkshop Agenda Chapter 304 - Fire Act of 2004Chapter 304 - Fire Act of 2004
1. Welcome/Housekeeping
2. Department of Fires Services/Board of Fire Prevention & Regulation (BFPR) Overview – State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan
3. Overview of Sprinkler Retrofit Requirements - DFS Attorney Peter Senopoulos
4. Department of Public Safety/Board of Building Regulations & Standards (BBRS) Overview – DPS Commissioner Thomas Gatzunis, Brian Gore
100 Deaths100 Deaths200 Injuries200 Injuries
Station Nightclub Station Nightclub FireFire
Station Nightclub Station Nightclub FireFire
February 20, 2003 West Warwick, February 20, 2003 West Warwick, RIRI
Secretary’s Fire & Secretary’s Fire & Building Safety Building Safety Task Force Task Force RecommendationRecommendationss
Gov. Romney signs Chapter 304, “An Act Relative to Fire Safety in the Commonwealth,” on Aug. 17, 2004
Effective Nov. 15, 2004
Ticketing provision effective March 1, 2005
1. Sprinkler systems
2. Egress
3. Pyrotechnics
4. Interior Finishes
5. Training & Education
6. New/Enhanced Fines & Criminal Penalties
7. New Ticketing/Code Enforcement Procedures
8. Funding & Resources
Task Force’s Major Task Force’s Major RecommendationsRecommendationsTask Force’s Major Task Force’s Major RecommendationsRecommendations
1. Sprinkler Systems1. Sprinkler Systems1. Sprinkler Systems1. Sprinkler Systems
Prohibits pyrotechnics in all nightclubs, discotheques, dance halls, and bars;permits use in large entertainment venues and theatres (A-1, A-2) equipped with automatic sprinkler systems & fire department approval
Letter to appropriate federal agencies recommending modification of federal laws requiring anyone selling pyrotechnics via interstate commerce must notify the local fire department and the State Fire Marshal
Status: In process. Letter sent on 2/20/04 to federal agencies
Review use of foam plastics on interior finishes in ALL buildings used for public assembly purposes
Status: Has gone through review. Joint regulatory language being developed by DFS and DPS.
5. Training & Education 5. Training & Education for Public Safety Officials, for Public Safety Officials, Regulated Community & Regulated Community &
General PublicGeneral Public
5. Training & Education 5. Training & Education for Public Safety Officials, for Public Safety Officials, Regulated Community & Regulated Community &
General PublicGeneral Public
Training & Education Training & Education RecommendationsRecommendations
Training & Education Training & Education RecommendationsRecommendations
DFS and DPS will offer a “joint” fire and building safety standards training program for fire inspectors and building inspectors
Status: $450,000 has been provided thru Ch.304,S. 2a & s.7 (5); in process of staffing (Nightclub Safety Training Coordinator)
Training & Education Training & Education RecommendationsRecommendations
Training & Education Training & Education RecommendationsRecommendations
Certify fire inspectors with each fire department having a minimum of one or more trained and certified fire inspectors.
Status: Chap. 304s.8 Special committee to study feasibility of creation of a mandatory fire inspector certification. Committee to include Fire Training Council, Fire Services Commission, and the State Fire Marshal
Training & Education Training & Education RecommendationRecommendation
Training & Education Training & Education RecommendationRecommendation
DFS & DPS to develop a comprehensive training program required for operators and employees of buildings used for public assembly
Training to include crowd manager training in facilities with occupant loads of 50 or more
Crowd manager be responsible for implementing the Fire & Building Safety checklist
Status: In process. To be completed by 2006No additional funding for implementation
6. Legal 6. Legal RecommendationsRecommendations
6. Legal 6. Legal RecommendationsRecommendations
Providing the “teeth” to Providing the “teeth” to enforce complianceenforce compliance
New/Enhanced Fines & New/Enhanced Fines & Criminal PenaltiesCriminal Penalties
New/Enhanced Fines & New/Enhanced Fines & Criminal PenaltiesCriminal Penalties
Specific criminal penalties for dangerous conditions in a public assembly building, such as: blocked egress; failure to maintain or shutting off fire protection systems; storing flammable or explosives or use of fireworks without a permit; exceeding occupancy limits
Status: Ch.304, s.6 and Ch. 148 s.34A creates new crime & enhanced fines and penalties
New/Enhanced Fines & New/Enhanced Fines & Criminal PenaltiesCriminal Penalties
Specific criminal penalties for an individual who violates a state building code or fire code provision that results in significant injury or death
Status: Ch.304, s.6; Ch. 148, s.334B
New/Enhanced Fines & New/Enhanced Fines & Criminal PenaltiesCriminal Penalties
Enhanced penalties to those who habitually do not comply with orders to correct fire or building code violations
Status: Ch.304, s.6, Ch.148 s.34C
7. New Ticketing/Code 7. New Ticketing/Code Enforcement ProceduresEnforcement Procedures7. New Ticketing/Code 7. New Ticketing/Code
Enforcement ProceduresEnforcement ProceduresNew non-criminal procedures for local and state fire and building code enforcement officers:
Standardized “code violation notices” similar to traffic tickets
Uniform system simplify enforcement efforts & document habitual offenders
Violations will result in suspension or revocation of local or state permits, certificate or licenses
Provides funding to municipalities and DFS for enforcement and training
Status: Ch. 304 S.7 Ch.148A Boards meeting with courts to finalizeEffective 3/1/05 with DFS & DPS working with the courts
Department of Revenue (DOR) created an accelerated depreciation schedule for the installation of sprinkler systems
Status: Ch. 304, s. 3 & 4 creates certain depreciation schedules for installation of automatic sprinkler systems DOR to develop regulations and program
Additional Chapter 304 ItemsAdditional Chapter 304 Items (not included Task Force Recommendations)(not included Task Force Recommendations)
Additional Chapter 304 ItemsAdditional Chapter 304 Items (not included Task Force Recommendations)(not included Task Force Recommendations)
Fire Equipment Grants - $ 10.0 million (s. 2A)
SAFE Program funding - $ 1.078 million (s. 2A)
Certification and Training Funds-$ 450,000 (s. 2A)
Fire chiefs can go to district court, rather than superior court, for injunctions - Ch. 148 s. 6,Ch. 148, s. 34D