What's happening
This bill requires all college and university dormitories in New York to have sprinkler systems installed or retrofitted by March 1, 2019.
Why it matters
Greatly increases fire safety for students living in dorms. , potentially reducing the risk of injury or death from dormitory fires by requiring automatic sprinkler systems in every college or university residence hall.
Mandates significant infrastructure investment by educational institutions. , which could lead to increased costs or tuition, but aims to standardize and modernize fire protection across all New York higher education housing.
Sets a clear compliance deadline (March 1, 2019). , compelling colleges and universities to act quickly, which may affect campus planning and construction schedules in the near term.
Establishes uniform safety standards statewide. , closing gaps where some institutions may not have previously installed sprinklers, thus ensuring all students benefit from the same level of fire protection.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Sprinklers Required in Dorms
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to housing, construction and community development
- Referred to housing, construction and community development
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Require Sprinklers in Dorms
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Operations · Sponsor Kevin Cahill
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1423
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 9, 2017
Introduced by Sen. AVELLA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to requiring every college and university to install and retrofit dormitory buildings with sprinkler systems
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 378 of the executive law is amended by adding a new subdivision 17 to read as follows:
17. Standards for sprinkler systems in all college housing. Each college or university shall, on or before March first, two thousand nineteen, construct or retrofit a system of piping and appurtenances, designed and installed in accordance with generally accepted standards, in all buildings under the jurisdiction of such institution containing dormitory facilities for student use, so that heat from a fire will automatically cause water to be discharged over such fire area to extinguish it or prevent its further spread.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00753-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to requiring every college and university to install and retrofit dormitory buildings with sprinkler systems
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill amends section 378 of the executive law by adding a new subdivision 17 to require sprinkler systems in all college housing on or before March 1, 2019. Each college or university shall construct or retrofit a sprinkler system in all buildings under the jurisdiction of such institution containing dormitory facilities for student use.
Section 2 of the bill sets forth an immediate effective date.
Justification
Given the inherent danger posed by residential fires, it is only reasonable that all buildings under the control of colleges and universities that provide student housing should be protected with fire sprinkler systems.
Prior legislative history
2015-16: S.1036-A 2013-14: S.4901
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.