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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 4, 2024 09:38 AM |
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| From: | Representative Dan L. Miller |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | FIRE LIFE SAFETY LEGISLATION |
| Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems found in modern buildings are required to contain fire and smoke dampers, which are essential fire safety elements put in place to contain the spread of smoke and fire through a building should a fire occur. When properly installed and maintained, these dampers are designed to save lives and property by preventing the spread of smoke and fire thorough an entire building. Because an HVAC system penetrates every space inside a building, it is paramount that fire and smoke dampers are kept in good working order so that they can do their job by closing and preventing the spread of fire and smoke throughout an entire building during a fire. Most fire-related fatalities are not caused by burns but by smoke inhalation, which these systems are installed to prevent. When fire and smoke dampers go without inspection or testing for many years, the motors and mechanisms can fail, often sealing the ductwork shut. To solve the problem of a blocked air duct, HVAC technicians and maintenance crews often prop the seals open, not understanding their purpose and rendering the systems completely ineffective in the case of an emergency. In short, fire dampers are essential fire safety mechanisms that need to be maintained by trained professionals. New Mexico, Nevada, Illinois and Washington have introduced and successfully passed legislation that requires training and certification to perform periodic inspections of fire dampers, smoke dampers and smoke control systems. Alaska, Maryland, New Jersey and Delaware have also introduced legislation to provide for this critical public safety need. I will soon introduce legislation to do the same in Pennsylvania. Ensuring that our fire control systems, including fire and smoke dampers, are properly maintained on a regular basis by individuals who are well-trained and certified to do this work is critical to ensuring public safety of our communities and citizens. The impact of a properly designed, installed and maintained fire/ smoke damper system will make a difference of life or death when building occupants must make their way out during a fire, and emergency crews when entering buildings. This bill will greatly help assure certified people are installing,testing and maintaining these life safety devices. |
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Introduced as HB1989