HB 331 Summary

• Requires State Fire Marshal to consult with Department of Education when adopting firesafety standards for educational and ancillary facilities, and assumes local fire official duties in counties lacking certified firesafety inspectors.

• Abolishes the special state firesafety inspector classification effective July 1, 2013, requiring existing inspectors with 5+ years experience to pass certification exams or complete 80 additional hours of training by July 1, 2013.

• Redefines "firesafety inspector" to mean individuals certified by the State Fire Marshal under s. 633.081, and establishes certification requirements including high school diploma, background checks, 200-hour training program, and passing examination.

• Requires school boards to conduct annual firesafety inspections of educational facilities and submit reports to local county, municipality, or fire control districts within 10 business days; establishes procedures for charter school inspections and public college facility inspections.

• Requires school boards to submit site plans for new facilities exceeding 2,500 square feet to local fire protection authorities for review of fire safety compliance and requires boards to employ or contract certified firesafety inspectors for new construction, renovation, or remodeling projects.