THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	153
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the INSTALLATION OF automatic sprinklers or APPLICATION OF certified fire-retardant coatings in newly constructed one- and two-family REsidential dwellings TO BE REQUIRED UNDER THE STATE BUILDING CODE.

     WHEREAS, the State is concerned with providing fire protection to its citizens and its citizens' property; and

     WHEREAS, the State is also concerned with protecting the lives of those fire fighters who respond to fire emergencies throughout Hawaii; and

     WHEREAS, fire sprinklers are a reliable method of protecting residents and homes from the dangers of fire; and

     WHEREAS, although automatic fire sprinklers are a proven life-saving system, they are often expensive to install, even in new buildings; and

     WHEREAS, certified fire-retardant coatings are currently available that comply with the standards provided in the International Fire Code; and

     WHEREAS, these certified fire-retardant coatings provide the following benefits with respect to fire safety:

     (1)  Significant smoke reduction, even under very high heat intensities;

     (2)  Reduced flames on many types of combustible surfaces;

     (3)  Reduced production of toxins upon combustion;

     (4)  Lowered ignition rates; and

     (5)  Lowered thermal conductivity; and

     WHEREAS, these fire-retardant coatings typically cost, on average, $300 more than ordinary paint used for one- or two- family residential dwellings; and

     WHEREAS, when these fire-retardant coatings are applied to the interior of dwellings, they maintain their fire-retardant qualities and effectiveness for many years without further application; and

     WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the residents of the State of Hawaii for improvements in fire prevention to be incorporated into the building permit process; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, the House of Representatives concurring, that the State Building Code Council is requested to adopt the requirement that automatic fire sprinklers be installed or certified fire- retardant coatings be applied in new one- and two-family residential dwellings constructed throughout the State after January 1, 2012; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Comptroller, Chairperson of the State Building Code Council, Chairperson of the State Fire Council, and Fire Chief of each county.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Fire Sprinklers; Fire-Retardant Coating; Residential Dwellings