Today, a bill I raised to strengthen safety review for certain housing developments was voted out of committee, moving it to the floor of the House for consideration.
The legislation grew directly out of concerns raised about the Vessel Technologies proposal in Bethel, where residents and local officials asked an important question: when developers use new or unconventional construction systems, how do municipalities verify that those designs meet life-safety standards before they are approved?
To better understand how similar projects were being reviewed at the state level, my office filed a Freedom of Information request. The documents we received showed regulators and engineers repeatedly raising questions about fire-rated assemblies, means of egress, and testing documentation for certain construction systems. In some cases, those questions were still being addressed while projects were moving forward in the development process.
You can review those FOIA documents yourself here: www.housedems.ct.gov/allie-brennan/foia-documents-insurance-and-real-estate-committee
The bill I introduced addresses this gap in the process.
Under Connecticut law, developments filed under 8-30g, the state’s Affordable Housing Appeals statute, receive significant legal protections during the zoning process. Because these projects can move through approvals more quickly than traditional developments, it’s especially important that life-safety documentation is available before approvals are granted.
This legislation requires that when a development relies on non-traditional, prefabricated, or proprietary construction systems, the applicant must submit a Preliminary Life Safety Report prepared by a licensed engineer or fire protection engineer demonstrating that the design can comply with the State Building Code and Fire Safety Code.
Importantly, the bill does not change building codes, fire codes, or the affordability requirements of 8-30g. It simply ensures that when new construction methods are proposed, safety compliance is verified earlier in the process.
Fire professionals also emphasized the importance of reviewing safety information early:
“As fire professionals, we support any measure that brings critical life-safety information to the table earlier in the development process,” said Roger Nelson, President of the Connecticut Fire Marshals Association. “When a project uses new or unconventional building systems, engineers should demonstrate how those systems meet fire-resistance and egress requirements before approvals are granted. This isn’t about slowing down housing, it’s about making sure every family moves into a home built to proven, life-saving standards.”
Housing and safety should never be competing priorities. We can support housing development while ensuring the codes designed to protect residents and first responders are respected.
I’ll continue to keep you updated as this legislation moves through the General Assembly.
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