House OKs bill that will apply Int’l Fire Code guiding standard in NMI

The House of Representatives unanimously passed on Friday a bill that proposes to amend the CNMI Fire Safety Code to apply the International Fire Code guiding standard in the Commonwealth.

With all 20 House members present at a session voting “yes,” House Bill 23-82, House Draft 1, now goes to the Senate for action.

The House Judiciary and Governmental Operations Committee had recommended the passage of the bill.

The bill will replace references of the Uniform Fire Code in the Commonwealth Fire Safety Code with references to the International Fire Code.

Rep. Thomas John Dela Cruz Manglona (R-Saipan), who is the author of the legislation, said the bill is one small step into creating more efficiency and streamlining the processes when it comes to business permits and licensing.

Attorney General Edward Manibusan said in his written comments that the bill as written is constitutionally sufficient.

Manibusan said the bill proposes to update the Commonwealth Fire Safety Code to adopt the IFC since the Uniform Fire Code has already been phased out and replaced by the IFC.

He noted that 42 states; Washington, D.C.; Guam; and Puerto Rico have either used or adopted the IFC as their model code.

The JGO Committee chaired by Rep. Marissa Renee Flores (Ind-Saipan) made some non-substantive technical amendments and other amendments to strengthen the intent of the legislation.

The IFC establishes minimum requirements for fire prevention and fire protection systems using perspective and performance-related provisions.

According to the committee report, IFC is founded on broad-based principles that make possible the use of new materials and new system designs.

The committee finds that IFC is designed to address conditions hazardous to life and property from fire, explosions, handling or use of hazardous materials, and the use and occupancy of buildings and premises.

The committee finds that the IFC is a more appropriate code to apply in the CNMI and recommends that the current statutes be amended to reflect such change.

The committee believes that the CNMI will benefit tremendously by adopting the IFC and will allow for them to interact and relate to other states and territories.