SENATE BILL NO. 167 Offered January 9, 2008 Prefiled January 7, 2008 A BILL to amend and reenact § 36-99.5:1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Uniform Statewide Building Code; use of noncombustible materials in the construction of certain structures. ---------- Patron-- Blevins ---------- Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That § 36-99.5:1 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 36-99.5:1. Smoke detectors and other fire detection and suppression systems in assisted living facilities, adult day care centers and nursing homes and facilities.

A. Battery- or AC-powered smoke detector devices shall be installed in all assisted living facilities and adult day care centers licensed by the Department of Social Services, regardless of when the building was constructed. The location and installation of the smoke detectors shall be determined by the Uniform Statewide Building Code.

The licensee shall obtain a certificate of compliance from the building official of the locality in which the facility or center is located, or in the case of state-owned buildings, from the Department of General Services.

The licensee shall maintain the smoke detector devices in good working order.

B. The Board of Housing and Community Development shall promulgate regulations in accordance with the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.) establishing standards for requiring (i) smoke detectors and , (ii) such other fire detection and suppression systems as deemed necessary by the Board , and (iii) noncombustible construction materials to increase the safety of persons in assisted living facilities, residential dwelling units designed or developed and marketed to senior citizens, nursing homes and nursing facilities. All nursing homes and nursing facilities which are already equipped with sprinkler systems shall comply with regulations relating to smoke detectors.