SB 971
Providing fire safety requirements for agritourism businesses
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- Passed Senate
- Passed House of Delegates
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill establishes minimum fire safety requirements for agritourism businesses in West Virginia. It expands existing regulations to cover fully enclosed buildings used for agritourism, requiring features like multiple exits, clearly marked emergency lighting, fire extinguishers, and carbon monoxide detectors. The bill also prohibits certain fire hazards like open flames and overnight lodging unless specific fire safety standards are met, and outlines procedures for inspections and exemptions.
Key provisions
- Requires minimum fire safety standards for fully enclosed agritourism buildings, including multiple exits and fire extinguishers.
- Prohibits certain fire hazards, such as open flames and indoor pyrotechnics, unless equipped with sprinkler systems.
- Establishes occupant load calculations for determining fire safety requirements.
- Specifies exemptions for certain structures like gazebos, pavilions, and open-air barns.
- Mandates inspections by the State Fire Marshal or local authority before granting exemptions.
- Requires emergency evacuation plans to be posted and maintained.
- Sets height limitations for new agritourism structures.
- Addresses electrical safety requirements, including GFCI receptacles and fire extinguishers in food preparation areas.
Who is affected
- Agritourism businesses
- Property owners operating agritourism businesses
- West Virginia Department of Agriculture
- State Fire Marshal
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