House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024 Regular Session

Posted:	February 6, 2023 11:28 AM
From:	Representative Dan L. Miller and Rep. John T. Galloway
To:	All House members
Subject:	The Fireproofing Licensing Law

Any firefighter will tell you that seconds can make the difference between life and death when evacuating a burning structure. This is especially true when a structure is filled with dozens or even hundreds of workers, children, or patients. Building standards have come a long way over the years in terms of fire safety, but the fact remains that a fire can burn at 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit in under five minutes. At these temperatures, the integrity of structural steel becomes compromised, increasing the risk of collapse, and making the job of firefights even more perilous. Modern fireproofing materials have been a game changer for protecting the steel that holds our buildings together. With correctly applied fireproofing spray, a steel beam can withstand the heat of a fire for one to four hours. This provides critical time for firefighters to get everyone out of the building and the fire under control. That is why we need to ensure that these important materials are applied only by trained professionals. Our legislation would require all fireproofing material applicators in Pennsylvania to be trained and licensed to do so. This is a simple requirement that will help keep construction in Pennsylvania up to date with prevailing technology and best practices in fire safety. Please join us in supporting this important legislation. Draft language for our proposal is attached.
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Introduced as HB745