153:10-d Exemption for Recovery Houses. –
I. An owner or operator of a recovery house which is in compliance with rules adopted by the commissioner of health and human services under RSA 172-B:2, V for the voluntary registry for operators of recovery houses or who is certified by the New Hampshire Coalition of Recovery Residences may apply to the state fire marshal and maybe granted an exemption under RSA 153:5, IV from certain requirements of the state fire code, provided the following requirements are in place:
(a) A properly maintained electrical system.
(b) A properly maintained heating system, inspected and tagged annually by a qualified service technician, including a domestic sprinkler head over the unit and smoke separation from living area.
(c) Properly maintained cooking appliances.
(d) Street number of the recovery house posted and visible from the street.
(e) No smoking within 10 feet of the building unless approved by the local fire department.
(f) A written evacuation plan submitted to and approved by the local fire department.
(g) Monthly evacuation drills must be conducted with documentation available for review onsite.
(h) Basement living spaces shall have an exit directly to grade.
(i) The facility shall have a minimum of 50 gross square feet per bed per sleeping room.
(j) At least one escape window in each sleeping room. An escape window shall comply with the state fire marshal's most recent informational bulletin document relative to size and dimensions.
(k) Installed interconnected smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, electrically powered with battery backup, on each level and in each sleeping room. Ten-year battery alarms with wireless interconnectivity may be substituted for electrically powered alarms. For occupancies exceeding 8 occupants, the installation of a complete fire alarm system, with carbon monoxide detection, including automatic notification to the local fire department shall be required.
(l) Annual compliance inspection by the local fire department.
(m) If the travel distance to an exit is greater than 75 feet, or for occupancies with living space above the second floor regardless of travel distance, there shall be 2 remote means of egress from each floor.
(n) A 24-hour emergency contact person with contact information and the approved building occupant load shall be posted in the common area of the building so it is readily visible to the fire department.
II. In this section, "recovery house" means a residence that provides a safe, healthy, family-like, substance-free living environment that supports individuals in recovery from addiction and is centered on peer support and a connection to services that promote long-term recovery; provided that "recovery housing" shall not include a halfway house or any other facility requiring a license pursuant to RSA 151.
Source. 2021, 26:1, eff. July 5, 2021. 2022, 88:1, eff. July 19, 2022.