An original bill to authorize appropriations for the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974, and for other purposes.
PL 96-121 (S.1160), enacted 11/16/1979

PUBLIC LAW 96-121—NOV. 16, 1979 
93 STAT. 863 
Public Law 96-121 
96th Congress 
An Act 
To authorize appropriations for the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 
1974, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of 
America in Congress assembled. 
SECTION 1. Section 17 of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control 
Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2216) is amended to read as follows: 
"AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS 
"SEC. 17. (a) There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
the foregoing provisions of this Act, except as otherwise specifically 
provided, with respect to the payment of claims, under section 11 of 
this Act, an amount not to exceed $25,210,000 for the fiscal year 
ending September 30,1980, which amount includes— 
"(1) $4,781,000 for programs which are recommended in the 
report submitted to the Congress by the Administrator pursuant 
to section 24(b)(1); 
"(2) $9,430,000 for the National Academy for Fire Prevention 
and Control; 
"(3) $307,000 for adjustments required by law in salaries, pay, 
retirement, and employee benefits; 
"(4) $500,000 for additional rural firefighting technical assist-
ance and information activities; 
"(5) $500,000 for the study required by section 26 of this Act; 
and 
"(6) $110,000 for the study required by section 27 of this Act. 
"(b) There are authorized to be appropriated for the additional 
administrative expenses of the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency, which are related to this Act and which result from Reorga-
nization Plan Numbered 3 of 1978 (submitted June 19, 1978) and 
related Executive orders, an amount not to exceed $600,000 for the 
fiscal year ending September 30,1980.". 
SEC. 2. Section 21(b)(4) of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control 
Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2218(b)(4)) is amended by striking out: "$100 a 
day" and inserting in lieu thereof "the daily equivalent of the 
maximum annual rate of basic pay then in effect for grade GS-15 of 
the General Schedule (5 U.S.C. 5332(a))". 
SEC. 3. Section 160t)) of the Act entitled "An Act to establish the 
National Bureau of Standards", approved March 3, 1901 (15 U.S.C. 
278f(b)), is amended to read as follows: 
"(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—For purposes of this 
section, there are authorized to be appropriated an amount not to 
exceed $5,650,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1980, 
which amount includes— 
"(1) $525,000 for programs which are recommended in the 
report submitted to the Congress by the Administrator of the 
United States Fire Administration pursuant to section 24(b)(1) of 
Nov. 16, 1979 
[S. 1160] 
Federal Fire 
Prevention and 
Control Act of 
1974, 
amendment. 
15 use 2210. 
92 Stat. 932. 
15 use 2220. 
Post, p. 864. 
Post, p. 865. 
92 Stat. 3790. 
3 CFR1978 
Comp., p. 329. 
93 STAT. 864 
PUBLIC LAW 96-121—NOV. 16, 1979 
Study, report to 
C!ongress and 
President. 
15 use 2222. 
Legislative 
proposals. 
the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 
2220(b)(1)); and 
"(2) $119,000 for adjustments required by law in salaries, pay, 
retirement, and employee benefits.". 
SEC. 4. The Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 
U.S.C. 2201 et seq.) is further amended by adding at the end thereof 
the following new section: 
"SEC. 26. (a) The Administrator shall, within ten months of the date 
of enactment of this section, complete a study of the effectiveness of 
smoke detectors, heat detectors, and sprinkler suppression systems in 
saving lives, preventing injuries, and limiting property damage in 
fires, which report shall be submitted to the Congress and the 
President. In conducting such study, the Administrator shall 
consider, among other factors— 
"(1) whether and the extent to which such devices and systems 
have been and are effective in reducing the severity of fires, 
including estimates with respect to the potential for savings in 
lives, and injury prevention attributable to the operation of such 
systems and devices; 
"(2) the experience of Federal organizations. States, localities, 
and other political subdivisions which have required the use of 
such systems and devices; and 
"(3) a description of 
Administration programs regarding smoke 
detectors, heat detectors, sprinkler suppression systems and 
other systems, together with an analysis of the utilization of 
these systems and devices as a result of these programs. 
"(b) If the Administrator determines, as a result of the study 
conducted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, that smoke 
detectors, heat detectors, sprinkler suppression systems or other 
similar systems or devices either have been or may be of assistance in 
the detection and control of fire, the Administrator shall include, as 
part of the report conducted pursuant to this section, recommenda-
tions regarding what should be the Federal role, if any, with respect 
to creating incentives for the use of such devices or systems by the 
public, by business concerns, and by Federal, State, and local govern-
ments. In making such recommendations, the Administrator shall 
consider— 
"(1) the incentives, including financial incentives, which might 
be developed to require or facilitate installation within new or 
existing buildings of smoke detectors, heat detectors, sprinkler 
suppression systems, or any combination of such systems, or 
other similar systems and devices; and 
"(2) the benefits, if any, of demonstration or other such 
programs directed at residents in high impact fire areas in order 
to increase the use of smoke detectors, heat detectors, sprinkler 
suppression systems, or other systems or devices. 
"(c) As part of its report submitted pursuant to this section, the 
Administrator shall provide specific legislative proposals to the 
Congress for implementing any recommendations made pursuant to 
this section. 
"(d) Upon request of the Administrator, each Federal department 
and agency shall furnish to the Administrator such information, 
data, estimates, and statistics, and allow the Administrator access to 
all information in its possession, as the Administrator may reason-
ably determine to be necessary for the conduct of the study required 
by this section.". 
PUBLIC LAW 96-121—NOV. 16, 1979 
93 STAT. 865 
SEC. 5. The Federal Fire Prevention and CJontrol Act of 1974 (15 
U.S.C. 2201 et seq.) is further amended by adding at the end thereof 
the following new section: 
"FIREFIGHTER SAFETY STUDY 
"SEC. 27. (a) The Administrator shall conduct a review of firefighter 15 use 2223. 
safety. Such review shall include, but need not be limited to— 
"(1) an analysis of the current situation with respect to the 
safety of firefighters; 
"(2) an analysis of the effectiveness of protective garments, 
firefighting breathing equipment, personal communications sys-
tems, and other protective subsystems, together with recommen-
dations for improving such equipment in order to further fire-
fighting safety; 
"(3) development of a plan for increased technology transfer to 
firefighting units of more effective technologies in the areas 
identified in paragraph (2) of 
this subsection. 
"(b) The Administrator shall submit to Congress the results of such Submittal to 
review, together with appropriate recommendations for legislation, Congress. 
not later than March 31,1980.". 
Approved November 16, 1979. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
HOUSE REPORT No. 96-176 accompanying H.R. 4016 (Comm. on Science and 
Technoloiar). 
SENATE REPORT No. 96-186 (Ck)mm. on Commerce, Science, and Transportation). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 125 (1979): 
May 23, considered and passed Senate. 
June 4, H.R. 4016 considered and passed House; passage vacated and S. 1160 
passed in lieu; that peissage was vacated, the bill was amended, and then 
passed in lieu of H.R. 4016. 
Oct. 31, Senate concurred in House amendment with an amendment. 
Nov. 8, House concurred in Senate amendment. 
59-194 O — 81 
57 : QL3