LOW-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FENCES H.B. 5602:
SUMMARY OF HOUSE-PASSED BILL
IN COMMITTEE
House Bill 5602 (as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative Rodney Wakeman
House Committee: Communications and Technology
Ways and Means
Senate Committee: Regulatory Reform
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Single State Construction Code Act to modify provisions governing the installation, maintenance, replacement, or servicing of a low-voltage electric fence.
The Act specifies that notwithstanding any other provision of the Act, a permit is not required under the Act for the installation, maintenance, replacement, or servicing of any electrical wiring, equipment, or devices related to or associated with a business monitoring system, with a home monitoring system, or with a low-voltage electric fence.
Instead, under the bill, notwithstanding any other Michigan law to the contrary, a permit or other approval would not be required for the siting, installation, maintenance, placement, replacement, or servicing of a business monitoring system, a home monitoring system, or a low-voltage electric fence, including any related or associated electrical wiring, equipment, or devices, if performed by a provider.
The Act defines "low-voltage electric fence" as an alarm system that consists of a fence structure and an energizer that produces an electric charge on contact with the fence structure meets all of the following:
-- The low-voltage electric fence is installed in a location that is zoned for nonresidential use.
-- The energizer is powered by a commercial storage battery that does not exceed 12 volts.
-- The electric charge produced by the low-voltage electric fence upon contact does not exceed energizer characteristics set forth in Paragraph 22.108 and depicted in Figure 102 of International Electrotechnical Commission Standard, IEC 60335-2-76, current edition.
-- The low-voltage electric fence is identified using warning signs attached to the fence at intervals of not more than 60 feet, and each sign includes the international symbol for shock and be in both English and Spanish.
-- The low-voltage electric fence is completely enclosed by a nonelectric fence or wall.
-- The low-voltage electric fence is designed so that access to or within a fenced area is restricted because of secured openings or where immediate access is necessary for life-saving or firefighting purposes.
A fire code official may require a key box to be installed in an accessible location. The key box must be of an approved type listed in accordance with UL Standard 1037, and must contain keys to gain access as required by the fire code official.
Instead, the bill would define "low-voltage electric fence" or "fence" as an alarm system that consists of a fence structure and an energizer that produces an electric charge on contact with the fence structure and meets all of the following:
-- The fence structure is 10 feet in height or two feet greater in height than the perimeter nonelectric fence or wall required above, whichever is taller.
-- The fence is installed in a location that is zoned for nonresidential use.
-- The energizer is powered by a commercial storage battery that does not exceed 12 volts.
-- The electric fence produced by the fence upon contact does not exceed energizer characteristics set forth in International Standard IEC 60335-2-76, 2018 edition, published by the International Electrotechnical Commission.
-- The low-voltage electric fence is identified using warning signs attached to the fence at intervals of not more than 60 feet, and each sign includes the international symbol for shock and the warning is written in both English and Spanish.
-- If applicable, and if required and approved by a Fire Code official, a key switch for the fence is installed at the main entry point to the property to provide secure access to the fence's electrical power disconnect switch.
-- The fence structure is laterally enclosed by a nonelectric fence, or a wall, that it not less than five feet in height.
MCL 125.1528a Legislative Analyst: Stephen Jackson
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Fiscal Analyst: Elizabeth Raczkowski
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.