Requires the installation and testing of fire protection systems at pet stores

1 Co-sponsor

• Tony Avella

Title of bill

An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to requiring the installation and testing of fire protection systems at pet stores

Purpose

To ensure that all premises that house animals for sale by a pet dealer provide appropriate fire protection measures to guard against the unnecessary endangerment or death of animals.

Summary of specific provisions

-Requires pet dealers to provide fire protection measures for every premises at which the dealer houses animals, including: fire detection equipment, fire alarms and firefighting equipment, and an adequate number of extinguishers for the premises;

-Equipment must be provided throughout premises and exist must include heat or smoke sensing fire detection alarm systems;

-Equipment shall be tested once a week and maintained in good working order;

-Staff shall be instructed on how to use fire equipment;

-In retail and wholesale establishments an electrically supervised automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in all parts of the premises used to house animals and in the stairwell area of any means of egress;

-Such sprinkler systems will be inspected monthly by a qualified, certificate-holding employee of the retailer or wholesaler and keep records of such inspections for fire department review;

-If it becomes necessary to disconnect fire alarms or sprinklers the pet dealer shall notify the fire department at that time and when the systems are re-connected;

-Provides definitions for 'pet dealer' and 'animal';

-Authorizes the Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Markets to promulgate rules, regulations, and standards to implement this act.

Justification

California is the only state that requires pet businesses that house animals on their premises to install fire alarms or sprinkler systems. Pet stores can be particularly vulnerable to fire because many of the animals they house require the use of many electrical outputs and appliances, such as heat lamps, in proximity or right next to flammable materials (like shredded newspaper or sawdust) used for bedding or cage lining. Recent fires, including a 2002 four-alarm fire in Manhattan, a 2006 fire in Queens county, and a 2008 three-alarm fire in the Bronx killed hundreds of animals and put hundreds more firefighters, store employees, and civilians in harms-way as they rushed into pet stores to save yelping and crying animals from burning to death. For instance, the 2006 fire in Queens county resulted in the 'death of hundreds of animals in cruel and terrifying conditions, with eleven firefighters withstanding injuries. This bill can help to prevent these unnecessary tragedies.

Legislative history

2013: S. 3743A - Referred to Agriculture. 2014: S. 3743A - Referred to Agriculture.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect January 1, 2017, except buildings in existence as of the effective date of this act shall have until January 1, 2019 to comply with the provisions of this act.