“Fire Life Safety Damper and Smoke Control System Inspection Verification Act"

New NJ Regulatory Status

"Assembly Bill No. 5179  entitled the “Fire Life Safety Damper and Smoke Control System Inspection Verification Act,” aims to codify periodic inspection and testing, routine maintenance, and compliance and reporting requirements for fire dampers, smoke dampers, combination fire and smoke dampers, and smoke control systems installed in buildings throughout the State. The bill also establishes certification and training requirements for contractors and their employees who provide testing services for smoke and fire dampers and smoke control systems. And it imposes penalties on anyone who violates provisions of the bill or regulations adopted pursuant to the bill’s authority." This bill was passed December 2023.  NJ Bill 5179

New NJ Regulatory Status

"Assembly Bill No. 5179  entitled the “Fire Life Safety Damper and Smoke Control System Inspection Verification Act,” aims to codify periodic inspection and testing, routine maintenance, and compliance and reporting requirements for fire dampers, smoke dampers, combination fire and smoke dampers, and smoke control systems installed in buildings throughout the State. The bill also establishes certification and training requirements for contractors and their employees who provide testing services for smoke and fire dampers and smoke control systems. And it imposes penalties on anyone who violates provisions of the bill or regulations adopted pursuant to the bill’s authority." This bill was passed December 2023.  NJ Bill 5179

"Assembly Bill No. 5179  entitled the “Fire Life Safety Damper and Smoke Control System Inspection Verification Act,” aims to codify periodic inspection and testing, routine maintenance, and compliance and reporting requirements for fire dampers, smoke dampers, combination fire and smoke dampers, and smoke control systems installed in buildings throughout the State. The bill also establishes certification and training requirements for contractors and their employees who provide testing services for smoke and fire dampers and smoke control systems. And it imposes penalties on anyone who violates provisions of the bill or regulations adopted pursuant to the bill’s authority." This bill was passed December 2023.  NJ Bill 5179

Here are three specific references of the new requirements within the new law changes:

  1. A "Smoke Damper, Fire Damper, and Combination Fire and Smoke Damper Contractor" is authorized to install, service, repair, inspect and maintain all smoke dampers, fire dampers, and combination fire and smoke dampers. In addition to any other requirements adopted by the commissioner, a Smoke Damper, Fire A5179. Damper, and Combination Fire and Smoke Damper Contractor shall participate in an approved apprenticeship or skill training program that is registered with, and approved by, the United States Department of Labor or a State apprenticeship agency, as defined by the commissioner in rules or regulations
  2. “Approved skill training program” or “program” means a Class 12 A apprenticeship training program that is registered with, and approved by, the United States Department of Labor or a State apprenticeship agency, involving at least 8,000 hours of documented practical experience in the installation, maintenance, and servicing of HVAC systems and providing both apprenticeship training and training to upgrade skills of journey persons in the skills of the HVAC industry, including those relating to fire safety equipment.
  3. The building owner shall, without delay, take the necessary steps  to ensure the defective equipment is replaced or repaired and that compliance with the applicable inspection and testing requirements has been achieved. A building that does not achieve compliance within 30 days shall be deemed in violation of this section.