AB 716: Fire safety standards: hydrogen facilities.

Existing law creates the Office of the State Fire Marshal in the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to foster, promote, and develop ways and means of protecting life and property against fire and panic.

This bill would require the State Fire Marshal to adopt the National Fire Protection Association Hydrogen Technologies Code (NFPA 2) as the statewide fire safety standards and guidelines for hydrogen production, storage, and distribution facilities. The bill would authorize local governments, in consultation with the State Fire Marshal, to adopt more stringent fire safety standards than the statewide fire safety standards, based on unique local hazards and risks. The bill would require the State Fire Marshal to appoint a hydrogen fire expert, with specified duties. to appoint a hydrogen fire expert to answer questions and provide clarification on the implementation of hydrogen production, storage, and distribution facilities, ensuring that hydrogen facilities comply with the most up-to-date fire safety standards. The bill would require the State Fire Marshal to provide ongoing training to local fire departments and building inspectors, as specified. inspectors to ensure that hydrogen-related safety protocols are understood and enforced statewide.