BUILDERS’ BLOG – December 2013

Beginning January 1, 2014, there are several significant new legislative laws that become effective, including:

The California Energy Commission’s Nonresidential Building Energy Use Disclosure Program (AB 1103) regulations, under certain circumstances, require nonresidential building owners to disclose benchmarking data to potential buyers, lessees and financiers, for commercial buildings greater than or equal to 10,000 square feet, will be enforced.

Although the law was scheduled to come into effect in 2009 for utilities and in 2010 for building owners, the deadlines have been delayed several times.  The new enforcement dates are as follows:

• January 1, 2014 for buildings 10,000 square feet and larger
• July 1, 2014 for buildings 5,000 to 9,999 square feet

Smoke Detectors Specifications Changes
Beginning July 1, 2014, the State Fire Marshall will not approve a battery-operated smoke alarm unless it contains a non-replaceable, non-removable battery capable of powering the smoke alarm for at least 10 years. Furthermore, starting January 1, 2015, the State Fire Marshall will not approve a smoke alarm unless it does all of the following: (1) displays the date of manufacture on the device; (2) provides a place on the device to insert the date of installation; and (3) incorporate a hush feature.

Make sure you check the State of California website:  www.bsc.ca.gov for all the new laws that affect your particular business.