7. a. The commissioner shall promulgate, in accordance with the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C. 52:14B-1 et seq.), and after consulting with the fire safety commission, regulations to insure the maintenance and operation of buildings and equipment in such a manner as will provide a reasonable degree of safety from fire and explosion.

Regulations promulgated pursuant to this section shall include a uniform fire safety code primarily based on the standards established by the Life Safety Code (National Fire Protection Association 101) and any other fire codes of the National Fire Protection Association and the Building Officials and Code Administrators International (BOCA) Basic Fire Prevention Code, both of which may be adopted by reference. The regulations may include modifications and amendments the commissioner finds necessary.

b. The code promulgated pursuant to this section shall include the requirements for fire detection and suppression systems, elevator systems, emergency egresses and protective equipment reasonably necessary to the fire safety of the occupants or intended occupants of new or existing buildings subject to this act, including but not limited to electrical fire hazards, maintenance of fire protection systems and equipment, fire evacuation plans and fire drills, and all components of building egress. In addition, the regulations issued and promulgated pursuant to this section which are applicable to new or existing buildings shall include, but not be limited to fire suppression systems, built-in fire fighting equipment, fire resistance ratings, smoke control systems, fire detection systems, and fire alarm systems including fire service connections.

c. When promulgating regulations, the commissioner shall take into account the varying degrees of fire safety provided by the different types of construction of existing buildings and the varying degrees of hazard associated with the different types and intensity of uses in existing buildings. When preparing regulations which require the installation of fire safety equipment and devices, the commissioner shall consult with the fire safety commission and shall take into account, to the greatest extent prudent, the economic consequences of the regulations and shall define different use groups and levels of hazard within more general use groups, making corresponding distinctions in fire safety requirements for these different uses and levels of hazard. The commissioner shall also take into account the desirability of maintaining the integrity of historical structures to the extent that it is possible to do so without endangering human life and safety. The regulations established pursuant to this subsection shall apply to secured vacant buildings only to the extent necessary to eliminate hazards affecting adjoining properties.

d. Except as otherwise provided in this act, including rules and regulations promulgated hereunder, all installations of equipment and other alterations to existing buildings shall be made in accordance with the technical standards and administrative procedures established by the commissioner pursuant to the “State Uniform Construction Code Act,” P.L.1975, c.217 (C. 52:27D-119 et seq.) and shall be subject to plan review and inspection by the local construction and subcode officials having jurisdiction over the building, who shall enforce the regulations established pursuant to this act applicable to the installation or other alteration along with the regulations established pursuant to the “State Uniform Construction Code Act.”

e. (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2001, c.289.)

L.1983, c.383,s.7; amended 2001, c.289, s.23.