(TRENTON)
– Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Gary Schaer, Assembly Speaker
Vincent Prieto, Marlene Caride, Joseph Lagana, Thomas Giblin and Benjie E.
Wimberly to expand requirements for carbon monoxide detectors in building
structures not currently required to have the devices was approved by an
Assembly panel on Thursday.
The bill (A-4073) is
designated as the “Korman and Park’s Law” after Noel Korman and Alice Park, who
recently lost their lives among several others who were sickened and
hospitalized due to carbon monoxide exposure in a multi-use commercial
structure in Passaic. The building is home to nearly 20 rehearsal spaces
and small recording studios rented monthly by a variety of local musicians and
bands and part of an industrial complex off Van Houten Avenue.
“This tragic incident may have
been prevented with the installation of carbon monoxide detectors,” said Schaer
(D-Bergen/Passaic). “Building owners should be aware of the presence of carbon
monoxide and a threat to occupants’ safety. This bill will encourage the
installation of more detectors in more buildings and, in turn, strengthen
vigilance and safety precautions against carbon monoxide in New Jersey.”
“Carbon monoxide devices are as
critical to ensuring safety in our buildings and homes as fire extinguishers,”
said Speaker Prieto (D-Bergen/Hudson). “In order to prevent the Passaic
incident from happening again in New Jersey, we must require carbon monoxide
detectors to be installed in all buildings with the possibility of being at
risk for this gas. It’s the only way to protect more lives in the future.”
Currently, carbon monoxide
detectors are required in hotels, multiple dwellings, rooming and boarding
homes, and in single- and two-family homes upon initial occupancy or change of
occupancy. The bill would expand this requirement to almost all other
structures.
“Carbon monoxide detectors are
safety devices that should be in every building with a heating system or
product that has the potential of emitting this gas,” said Caride
(D-Bergen/Passaic). “It’s a small, inexpensive requirement that can have a huge
impact in the long run. It will save lives.”
“Buildings today are renovated or
repurposed to serve multiple uses over time,” Lagana (D-Bergen/Passaic). “A
residential building one year can become office studios the next without
changing the infrastructure of the building. This bill expands the law to
protect occupants in any building that’s at risk.”
However, the bill would not
require the installation of carbon monoxide detection devices if it is
determined that there is no potential carbon monoxide hazard in the
structure. Therefore, these devices would not be required in a building
which does not have a source of carbon monoxide fumes.
Under the bill, a construction
permit would not be issued without provision for the placement of carbon
monoxide detection devices. The bill would also require the installation
of these devices in structures that already exist within 90 days of the
adoption of rules and regulations by the Commissioner of Community Affairs
concerning the installation and location of, as well as the need for, carbon
monoxide detection devices.
“Above all else, this legislation
encourages building owners to be more vigilant about the risk of carbon
monoxide on their property,” said Giblin (D-Essex/Passaic). “Diligence in
installing carbon monoxide detectors will help to prevent future tragedies.
This bill aims to do just that.”
“Carbon monoxide poisoning is
easily preventable with detection,” said Wimberly (D-Bergen/ Passaic). “A
carbon monoxide detector that will save lives should be required for all
building structures that are at risk for the gas.”
The bill would require that
structures be inspected for compliance by local fire officials or the Division
of Fire Safety in the Department of Community Affairs, depending upon which
agency has jurisdiction for fire safety inspections in the area, at the time of
any inspection conducted pursuant to the “Uniform Fire Safety Act.” The
enforcing agency would be authorized to impose a fee for the costs associated
with inspections and the issuance of certificates. Moreover, this bill
also authorizes the imposition of penalties for non-compliance.
The Assembly State and Local Government Committee released the measure during
an afternoon meeting.
No comments:
Post a Comment