State Legislature Advances Bill to Improve Fire Safety
Sacramento, CA – Today, the California Legislature passed Senate Bill 1299 by Senator Jesse Arreguin (D-Oakland), which protects communities from structure fires by strengthening certification, registration, training, and oversight requirements for individuals who install, alter, repair, inspect, test, maintain, remove, or service fire suppression systems in California.
“As climate change increases fire danger, every Californian deserves to know that the fire suppression systems protecting their homes, workplaces, and communities have been installed and maintained by qualified professionals,” said Senator Arreguin. “The State Fire Marshal Sprinkler Certification Act provides a clear, enforceable framework, strengthening public safety and aligning California law with nationally recognized fire protection standards.”
Fire suppression systems have a proven record of significantly reducing death and destruction from structure fires, with a 44% reduction in the number of fire deaths annually in the United States between 1980-2023 as a result of the proliferation of such systems. According to the National Fire Protection Association, structures with an automated extinguishing system have 90% fewer deaths in a fire compared to structures without one, while also reducing injuries to responding firefighters.
In 2013, AB 433 was signed into law, which gave the State Fire Marshal the authority to establish a sprinkler fitter certification program. However, in the case of Fire Guard Corporation, et al. v. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the court ruled in 2025 against the program’s regulations over technical issues. Importantly, the court did not invalidate the certification program or its merits. SB 1299 restores enforceable experience standards, requiring direct supervision of trainees, mandating completion of approved apprenticeship programs, and providing robust enforcement tools. By implementing best practices, SB 1299 ensures that only properly trained and qualified individuals perform this critical life-safety work.
“A minimum standard for training and education, including continuing education for those who work on fire suppression systems is an essential life safety element for protecting those who occupy buildings equipped with a fire suppression system, and those first responders who may enter a building to perform a rescue,” said Randy Roxson, Executive Director of the Sprinkler Fitters Association of California. “That is why we are proud to sponsor SB1299, which also empowers the State Fire Marshall with the enforcement tools necessary to ensure accountability and compliance in the installation and maintenance of fire suppression systems.”
SB 1299 now heads to the Governor’s Desk, where action must be taken on the bill by September 30.
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