H 862

 BILL AS INTRODUCED  H.862
 2026  Page 1 of 2
1H.862
2 Introduced by Representative Burke of Brattleboro
3 Referred to Committee on
4 Date:
5 Subject: Public safety; Division of Fire Safety; building codes; sound control
6 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require the
7 Division of Fire Safety to update the Vermont Fire and Building Safety Code
8 to require nonresidential spaces in public buildings to meet minimum standards
9 for sound control.
10    An act relating to interior sound control in certain public buildings
11 It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
12 Sec. 1. DIVISION OF FIRE SAFETY; AMENDMENTS TO FIRE AND
13BUILDING SAFETY CODE; SOUND CONTROL
14    (a) On or before July 1, 2027, the Division of Fire Safety shall amend the
15 Fire and Building Safety Code to require that certain public buildings meet
16 minimum standards for the control of indoor sound and reverberation.
17    (b)(1) The standards shall, at a minimum, provide that rooms and spaces in
18 public buildings, except for dwelling units and utility rooms, have a ceiling
19 constructed with sound-absorbing materials that have a noise reduction
20 coefficient of at least 0.75 and that cover at least 50 percent of the available
                                                                     VT LEG #386265 v.1
 BILL AS INTRODUCED  H.862
 2026  Page 2 of 2
1 ceiling area. The amendments may set more protective standards for specific
2 interior spaces in public buildings.
3(2) The amendments may include minimum requirements for limiting
4 sound transmission through interior and exterior walls.
5(3) The amendments may include minimum requirements for limiting
6 the transmission of impact-related sound through floor-ceiling assemblies.
7    (c) As used in this section, “available ceiling area” means any ceiling
8 surface that is within view of an occupant of a room or interior space.
9 “Available ceiling area” does not include structural beams, skylights,
10 ductwork, and other ceiling components to which sound-absorbing materials
11 cannot be attached.
12 Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE
13    This act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
                                                                   VT LEG #386265 v.1