Housing: other; automatic fire sprinkler systems for electric vehicle parking spaces; require certain buildings to have. Amends 1972 PA 230 (MCL 125.1501 - 125.1531) by adding sec. 4i.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Matt Maddock

Require automatic water-based fire sprinklers in parking lots/spaces designated for EVs in new construction and existing buildings within 180 days after effective date.

bill electronically reproduced 09/09/2025

#fire:other #housing:other #housing:residential #safety:other #vehicles:other

Summary — HB 4850 (Stille‑DeRossett‑Hale single state construction code act; new sec. 4i)

Purpose
HB 4850 requires automatic water‑based fire sprinkler systems to be installed where buildings provide parking spaces designated for electric vehicle (EV) parking. The requirement is added to the Stille‑DeRossett‑Hale single state construction code act (1972 PA 230) as a new section 4i.

Key provisions
- New construction: At the time of initial construction, owners/operators/builders of buildings or structures (including multiple‑family dwellings) must install an automatic fire sprinkler system in any parking lot or parking space of the building that is designated for EV parking.
- Existing buildings: Owners/operators of buildings or structures (other than single‑family or 1‑ or 2‑family detached dwellings) built before the act’s effective date must install the required sprinklers within 180 days after the act becomes effective.
- Rulemaking: The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) is directed to promulgate rules establishing standards and requirements for installation of the sprinkler systems.
- Definitions provided in the bill:
- “Automatic fire sprinkler system” — an integrated underground and overhead piping system designed per fire protection engineering standards that activates by heat and discharges water over the fire area and is capable of extinguishing a fire.
- “Electric vehicle” — a vehicle propelled solely by electrical energy and not capable of using gasoline, diesel, or alternative fuels for propulsion.

Who is affected
- New and existing owners, operators, and builders of commercial, multifamily, and other non‑single‑family buildings that provide EV‑designated parking.
- Single‑family and 1‑ or 2‑family detached dwellings are explicitly excluded.
- Fire protection contractors, building departments, and insurers (through compliance, inspection, and potential insurance implications).

Timeline & implementation
- Introduced by Rep. Matt Maddock (filed 3/13/2025).
- Passed both chambers in May 2025, signed by the Governor 6/20/2025.
- Statutory effective date listed as 9/1/2025.
- Existing applicable buildings must comply within 180 days after the effective date; new construction compliance required at construction.

Potential impacts and considerations
- Safety: Seeks to reduce EV‑related parking fires and improve occupant/property protection where EVs are charged/parked.
- Cost and retrofit burden: Owners of existing non‑exempt buildings may face significant installation costs and engineering/utility coordination to retrofit sprinklers, especially for underground/overhead integrated systems.
- Technical standards: Substantive design, scope (e.g., whether every EV space or portions of lots require coverage), and installation practices will be clarified by JCAR rules and potentially local code interpretations.
- Enforcement: Implementation details, inspections, and exceptions will depend on the forthcoming JCAR rules and coordination with local building and fire authorities.

Legislative status (selected)
- Introduced 3/13/2025; passed both chambers May 2025; signed by Governor 6/20/2025; effective 9/1/2025.