HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 64

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2010

INTRODUCED BY

Thomas C. Taylor

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO DIRECT THE APPROPRIATE INTERIM COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATURE TO STUDY THE IMPLICATIONS OF ADOPTING VARIOUS APPENDICES OF THE INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE.

     WHEREAS, the public regulation commission is charged with adopting regulations for fire prevention and the safe use of public occupancies; and

     WHEREAS, the regulations shall follow nationwide standards except in the area of life safety codes, which shall be compatible with national building codes; and

     WHEREAS, the commission in the past has properly relied upon the provisions of the International Fire Code when adopting state regulations, but specifically has not adopted the provisions contained in the appendices to the International Fire Code, leaving those decisions to local authorities; and

     WHEREAS, the provisions of Appendix B of the 2009 International Fire Code contain burdensome requirements that, if adopted as state standards, could force communities to upgrade their water systems or building owners to install sprinkler systems, greatly increasing the cost of rural housing, public schools and other buildings; and

     WHEREAS, other appendices of the International Fire Code, such as those governing fire hydrant locations, fire engine access roads, hazard categories, hazard rankings, hazardous materials management plans and emergency responder radio coverage, may contain requirements that are better resolved at the local level;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to direct the appropriate interim committee of the legislature, in collaboration with the state fire marshal and the construction industries division of the regulation and licensing department, to study the implications of allowing local authorities the discretion of adopting selected appendices of the International Fire Code; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative council, the state fire marshal and the director of the construction industries division of the regulation and licensing department.

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