STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1269

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   H.C.R. No. 54

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Housing and Water, Land, & Ocean Resources, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 54 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE STATE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL TO ADOPT THE REQUIREMENT THAT AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLERS BE INSTALLED IN NEW ONE- AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to request the State Building Code Council to adopt the requirement that automatic fire sprinklers be installed in new one- and two-family dwellings, in compliance with the latest editions of nationally–recognized safety codes.

     The State Fire Council, Honolulu Fire Department, and County of Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety testified in support of this measure, with comments.  Several concerned individuals testified in opposition to this measure.  The Building Association of Hawaii submitted comments.

     Your Committees acknowledge the intent of the State Fire Council and the county fire departments in highlighting the importance of having automatic fire sprinklers installed in family dwellings and other buildings as a way of controlling or suppressing fires, and preventing fires from going undetected and growing to dangerous proportions.

     Upon consideration, your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1)  Requesting the State Building Code Council to:

     (A)  Clarify the definition of one- and two-family dwellings; and

     (B)  Address the issues of accessibility and availability of water to all dwellings;

(2)  Submit a report of its findings, recommendations, and actions taken to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2015; and

(3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Housing and Water, Land, & Ocean Resources that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 54, as amended herein, and recommend its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 54, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Housing and Water, Land, & Ocean Resources,

____________________________ JERRY L. CHANG, Chair

____________________________ RIDA T.R. CABANILLA, Chair