Amd §378, Exec L; amd §2, Chap of 2024 (as proposed in S.3249-B & A.5730-B)
Requires the installation of smoke detectors in residential buildings with common spaces shared between three or more dwelling units and that such smoke detectors can be heard in such common spaces.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A519
SPONSOR: Zaccaro TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to requiring that resi-
dential buildings with common spaces shared between three or more dwell-
ing units have installed a smoke detector which can be clearly heard in
such common spaces, and to amend a chapter of the laws of 2024 amending
the executive law relating to requiring the installation of smoke detec-
tors in common places of certain dwellings, as proposed in legislative
bills numbers S. 3249-B and A. 5730-B, in relation to the effectiveness
thereof
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this bill is to enhance . safety measures in residential
buildings with shared common spaces by requiring the installation of
audible smoke detectors in these areas, ensuring timely alerts in the
event of a fire.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one:
*Requires residential buildings with common spaces shared between three
or more dwelling units to have operable smoke detecting alarm devices or
systems installed.
*Ensures that alarm notifications are clearly audible in each common
space, with rules promulgated by the council in accordance with
nationally recognized standards.
*Directs the council to define common spaces for these purposes, explic-
itly including lobbies, hallways, and stairwells.
Section two:
*Set the effective date of the requirements to December 31, 2025.
Section three is the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
This legislation addresses a critical safety issue in residential build-
ings with shared common spaces. By requiring clearly audible smoke
detectors, it ensures residents are promptly alerted to potential fire
hazards, reducing the risk of injury or loss of life. The inclusion of
specific definitions and nationally recognized standards further ensures
uniform implementation and compliance.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that
Section One of this act shall take effect on the same date and in the
same manner as the chapter of the laws of 2024 it amends.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
519
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY(Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. ZACCARO -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to requiring that resi-
dential buildings with common spaces shared between three or more
dwelling units have installed a smoke detector which can be clearly
heard in such common spaces, and to amend a chapter of the laws of
2024 amending the executive law relating to requiring the installation
of smoke detectors in common places of certain dwellings, as proposed
in legislative bills numbers S. 3249-B and A. 5730-B, in relation to
the effectiveness thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The subdivision heading and paragraph c of subdivision 5-b
2 of section 378 of the executive law, as amended by a chapter of the laws
3 of 2024 amending the executive law relating to requiring the installa-
4 tion of smoke detectors in common places of certain dwellings, as
5 proposed in legislative bills numbers S. 3249-B and A. 5730-B, are
6 amended to read as follows:
7 Standards for installation of [single station] smoke detecting alarm
8 devices requiring that:
9 c. every [multiple-family dwelling, except for a property owned or
10 operated by a public housing authority subject to federal safety and
11 inspection standards pursuant to title twenty-four of the code of feder-
12 al regulations, and every dwelling accommodation located in a building
13 owned as a condominium or cooperative in the state used as a residence,]
14 residential building with a common space or common spaces shared between
15 three or more dwelling units shall have installed an operable [single
16 station] smoke detecting alarm device [or], devices [in an area so],
17 system or systems such that [it] an alarm notification is clearly audi-
18 ble in each common space, with rules to be promulgated by the council in
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02706-01-5
A. 519 2
1 accordance with nationally recognized standards. [For purposes of this
2 subdivision, common space means a space] The council shall define common
3 spaces for the purposes of the standards promulgated pursuant to this
4 paragraph, provided that such definition shall include any spaces acces-
5 sible by all residents, including, but not limited to, [a lobby]
6 lobbies, [a hallway] hallways, and [a stairwell] stairwells,
7 § 2. Section 2 of a chapter of the laws of 2024 amending the executive
8 law relating to requiring the installation of smoke detectors in common
9 places of certain dwellings, as proposed in legislative bills numbers S.
10 3249-B and A. 5730-B, is amended to read as follows:
11 § 2. This act shall take effect [immediately] December 31, 2025.
12 Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule
13 or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effec-
14 tive date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such
15 effective date.
16 § 3. This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that
17 section one of this act shall take effect on the same date and in the
18 same manner as a chapter of the laws of 2024 amending the executive law
19 relating to requiring the installation of smoke detectors in common
20 places of certain dwellings, as proposed in legislative bills numbers S.
21 3249-B and A. 5730-B, takes effect.
