When appearing in this chapter:

1. I. "Automatic fire warning device" means a wall or ceiling mounted assembly containing an ionization chamber or photoelectric type of smoke detector, control equipment, and audible alarm in one unit which detects visible or invisible particles of combustion and which, upon detection of smoke, activates the alarm; which device is listed by a nationally recognized laboratory that maintains periodic inspections of the listed equipment where produced, and whose listing states either that the equipment meets nationally recognized standards or that the equipment has been tested and found suitable for use in a specified manner.
2. II. "Building" means any structure, framework or housing, public or private, excluding single family dwellings as defined in paragraph X and multi-unit dwellings as defined in paragraph VI, but including tanks, receptacles and containers for the storage of commodities or other materials.
3. III. "Dwelling unit" means a single unit providing complete and independent living facilities for one or more persons including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation.
4. IV. "Explosives" means any chemical compound, mixture, or device, the primary purpose of which is to function by explosion or through the substantially instantaneous release of gas or heat.

5. V. "Fire hazard" means any building, premises, place or thing which, because of its nature, location, occupancy, condition, or use, constitutes an unreasonable danger of loss, damage or injury to persons or property by fire or explosion of any origin.

   V-a. "Fire protection and warning devices" means, but is not limited to, water sprinkler systems; heat detection systems; non-battery operated smoke detection units or systems; and heat sensing automatic closing fire doors with a door minimum fire retardant rating of not less than 20 minutes as defined by the Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.

   V-b. "Health care facility" means a facility licensed under RSA 151.

6. VI. "Multi-unit dwelling" means any structure not defined in paragraph II, which contains 2 or more single units which provide permanent or transient living facilities which may or may not include cooking and eating facilities, for one or more persons. This term shall include but not be limited to: rooming houses, dormitories, motels, hotels, apartment buildings, buildings which contain condominium units, duplexes, and houses; provided, however, that such buildings contain 2 or more units.

   VI-a. "New Hampshire fire code" or "state fire code" means the adoption by reference of the Life Safety Code, NFPA 101, 2021 edition, and the Uniform Fire Code NFPA 1, 2021 edition, as published by the National Fire Protection Association and as amended by the state board of fire control and ratified by the general court pursuant to RSA 153:5. The provisions of any other national code, model code, or standard referred to within a code listed in this definition shall be included in the state fire code unless amended in accordance with RSA 153:5.

7. VII. "Officer" means such officer or officers as the marshal shall nominate or designate to execute the powers and perform the duties which the fire marshal is authorized to delegate under this chapter.
8. VIII. "Owner" means a person with legal title to or a freehold interest in property, including any trustee or a board of trustees of property. A lessee or mortgagee of property is not considered an owner.

9. IX. "Premises" means any lot or parcel of land, excluding the buildings upon it, and includes parking lots, tourist camps, trailer camps, airports, stockyards, junkyards, wharves, piers, and other places or enclosures, however owned or occupied.

   IX-a. "Rental unit" means any residential unit in a building or single family dwelling which provides permanent or transient living facilities for one or more persons, which is occupied by tenants on a rental basis. This term shall include but not be limited to: hotels, motels, dormitories, apartments, duplex units, rooms rented out of the home of another, and single family dwellings, so long as they are rented.

10. X. "Single family dwelling" means any structure not defined in paragraph II which contains one dwelling unit which is designed to be occupied for living purposes, and which is used by one, 2 or more families exclusively as a home.
11. XI. "Substantial rehabilitation" means any improvement to a building or single family dwelling which is valued at an amount greater than 1/2 of the assessed valuation of the building or dwelling.

Source. 1947, 251:1, par. 1. RSA 153:1. 1955, 190:6. 1975, 442:1, 2. 1981, 497:1. 1983, 446:1; 450:1. 1986, 14:1, 2. 2012, 242:2, eff. June 18, 2012. 2016, 282:1, eff. June 30, 2016. 2019, 186:1, eff. Sept. 8, 2019. 2020, 37:94, eff. July 29, 2020. 2022, 311:9, eff. July 1, 2022. 2024, 94:1, eff. Aug. 13, 2024.