New Jersey A 494: Requires explanatory statement on ballot question for school district capital projects to include certain information.

Bill Text

A494 

ASSEMBLY, No. 494 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

� 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman GABRIEL RODRIGUEZ

District 33 (Hudson)

SYNOPSIS

���� Establishes fire safety standards and protocols for 
certain light frame residential construction; requires placards identifying 
primary structural systems of buildings.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT 

���� Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative 
Counsel.

�� 

An Act concerning certain light frame residential 
construction, supplementing P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.), and 
amending P.L.1991, c.188.

���� Be It 
Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of 
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.��� (New section)��� a.�� A 
new residential use structure that is classified as Residential Group R under 
the International Building Code and contains more than two dwelling or sleeping 
units may only be constructed utilizing light frame construction if the 
following requirements are satisfied:

���� (1)�� An automatic sprinkler 
system shall be installed throughout the structure in accordance with the 
requirements of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13, Standard for 
the Installation of Sprinkler Systems.

���� (2)�� The number of stories 
permitted in the structure shall be measured from grade plane excluding any 
pedestal or podium.

���� (3)�� Each fire partition 
shall:

���� (a)�� be constructed of 
code-approved material;

���� (b)�� be constructed as a fire 
barrier with a fire-resistance rating of at least two hours;

���� (c)�� extend from the 
foundation to the attic; and

���� (d)�� comply with all other 
requirements for fire barriers under the code.

���� (4)�� Each horizontal 
separation installed between floors separating dwelling or sleeping units 
shall:

���� (a)�� be constructed of 
code-approved material; 

���� (b)�� be constructed as a 
horizontal assembly with a fire-resistance rating of at least two hours; and

���� (c)�� comply with all other 
requirements for horizontal assemblies under the code.

���� (5)�� Each fire wall shall:

���� (a)�� be constructed of 
code-approved material;

���� (b)�� not be adversely 
affected by moisture; and

���� (c)�� be capable of passing 
the hose stream test in accordance with the code.

���� (6)�� (a) If any light framing 
of the structure is unprotected, the structure shall not have more than three 
stories and shall not exceed 60 feet above grade plane.

���� (b)�� If all light framing of 
the structure is protected, the structure shall not have more than four stories 
and shall not exceed 85 feet above grade plane.

���� b.��� All construction 
utilizing light frame construction shall not proceed unless, commencing at the 
time of framing, a fire watch warden who meets the requirements of paragraph 
(1) of this subsection is present during non-working hours, or technology is 
employed pursuant to paragraph (7) of this subsection, to monitor the 
construction project and alert firefighters, medical, rescue, or law 
enforcement personnel if a fire or other emergency occurs.

���� (1)�� A person shall be 
eligible to be a fire watch warden if the person is qualified pursuant to 
N.J.S.40A:14-9 and is either an active or retired firefighter, building trades 
council member, police officer, first responder, registered security officer, 
or building or zoning code official, or is an active or retired fire inspector 
who is certified pursuant to subsection c. of section 12 of P.L.1983, c.383 
(C.52:27D-203).

���� (2)�� A developer or owner of 
a construction project subject to the provisions of this subsection shall be 
responsible for hiring, training, and compensating the fire watch wardens, and 
any expense to ensure that they are on site, including inspection by the department 
or the local enforcing agency.

���� (3)�� A fire watch warden 
shall make regular inspections and patrols of the area assigned to the fire 
watch warden for supervision by the developer or owner.� A fire watch warden 
shall not be assigned any other responsibilities that would interfere with or 
prevent the fire watch warden from carrying out the fire watch warden�s 
responsibilities under this subsection.

���� (4)�� A fire watch warden 
shall maintain a record of activities performed in connection with the 
construction project that constitute a potential threat to fire safety.� The 
records shall be submitted to the Division of Fire Safety in the department on 
a weekly basis and the division may, in its discretion, take any action 
appropriate to abate any fire safety issues, including, but not limited to, 
requesting that the local enforcing agency revoke the construction permit for 
the project.

���� (5)�� A fire watch warden 
shall be present during non-working hours, commencing at the time of framing 
throughout the construction project, and shall continue to monitor the 
construction project until the final sprinkler inspection is completed o