HB1004 Exempting certain dwelling units from automatic sprinkler system requirements.
Exempting certain dwelling units from automatic sprinkler system requirements.
Impact Score — How Does This Bill Affect You?
Overall Impact Score
Harmful
Scale: 1 (harmful) to 10 (beneficial)
Your Wallet
Builders and property owners avoid sprinkler system installation costs, which are eliminated for new construction, renovations, and conversions of qualifying buildings.
Your Community
Removing sprinkler requirements reduces a fire safety measure that protects residents; fire departments and emergency services may face higher injury/fatality rates in residential fires in affected buildings.
Your Freedom
Property owners and builders gain freedom from mandatory sprinkler installation requirements and local planning board conditions, though municipalities may still offer sprinklers voluntarily for a fee.
Status
Refer for Interim Study: Motion Adopted Voice Vote 03/11/2026 House Journal 7 P. 38
Sponsor
Matt Drew (R)
The Short Version
This bill exempts detached residential buildings with up to 4 dwelling units from automatic fire sprinkler system requirements under state fire code, building code, and local planning regulations. The change reduces construction and renovation costs for builders and property owners but eliminates a fire safety protection that could reduce injury and death risk in residential fires.
Who's Behind This Bill?
Who Benefits
- ▲ Builders and developers of new detached residential buildings with 1-4 units
- ▲ Property owners renovating or converting detached buildings with 1-4 units
- ▲ Homebuyers in qualifying buildings (lower construction/renovation costs may lower purchase prices)
Who Pays the Price
- ▼ Residents of detached buildings with 1-4 units who lose automatic fire suppression protection
- ▼ Fire departments managing residential fires without built-in sprinkler systems
- ▼ Existing multi-unit residential buildings (buildings with 5+ units remain subject to sprinkler requirements)
Bill statuses as of October 7, 2026. Check LegiScan or NH General Court for the latest.
This bill was auto-scored using AI analysis of the bill text and legislative data. Scores may be refined as we review more bills.