S-4167.1 _______________________________________________
SENATE BILL 6597
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 55th Legislature 1998 Regular Session
By Senators Kohl, B. Sheldon, Winsley and Wood
Read first time 01/22/98. Referred to Committee on Government Operations.
AN ACT Relating to fire suppression systems; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that the residents of Washington should be safe from life and property loss due to fire. Many of Washington's existing residential structures do not have adequate fire prevention and suppression devices, including automatic fire extinguishing systems. Residents of the state have suffered significant life and property loss in fires occurring in buildings not equipped with fire prevention and fire suppression systems. Most local jurisdictions have not addressed this issue. The legislature further finds that there are substantial financial and administrative burdens associated with the installation of fire suppression and fire prevention systems that cannot be borne solely by building owners themselves.
(2) It is the intent of the legislature to commission a study group to:
(a) Investigate the problems of insufficient fire prevention, inadequate fire suppression, and residential buildings without sprinklers in Washington state;
(b) Review the actions of other jurisdictions nation-wide to address the issues of fire prevention and fire suppression; and
(c) Make consensus recommendations to the legislature and to the governor regarding ways that the legislature, local jurisdictions, fire protection services, and the private sector can work cooperatively to reduce financial and administrative burdens to installation of fire suppression and fire prevention systems in existing residential buildings.
(3) The study group shall consist of: One legislator from each major caucus of the senate and house of representatives, as appointed by leaders of the caucuses. These legislative members shall appoint other members to the study group who represent a broad spectrum of interests related to fire safety in residential buildings. These members shall include, but not be limited to representatives of apartment associations; real estate management; building owners and managers; real estate sales; rental associations; public housing; two representatives from the public, one of whom represents renters; a representative of local government; and public and private representatives of the fire safety community. A representative of the governor's office, the chair of the state building code council, and the state fire marshal shall also be appointed to the study group. The study group shall be cochaired by a legislator from the senate and a legislator from the house of representatives.
(4) The office of state fire marshal shall provide staff and administrative support for the study group.
(5) The study group shall deliver its consensus recommendations to the governor and the legislature by January 11, 1999.
(6) This section expires July 1, 1999.
--- END ---