Residential Sprinkler Mandate

In an effort to keep the public informed and as educated as possible regarding life safety issues, as well as protecting individual family members and preserving assets, No-Burn will use this forum to post the latest information regarding the single family residential sprinkler mandate that will become effective in January of 2011.

Should you have any questions or comments regarding any of the information posted on the No-Burn site please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 800-989-8577.

January 5, 2012 - MoonPatch

Carnot-Moon, PA - The Moon Township Board of Supervisors Tuesday night had a public hearing to consider a planned residential development waiver that the Bridgeville-based Foltz Development Corp. requested. The company was seeking exemptions for the Cimarron residential housing development off Spring Run Road Extension, asking to reduce the minimum side-yard setbacks between houses in the plan from 16 to 10 feet without installing fire sprinkler systems. Read full story.

January 4, 2012 - ABC & FOX6 WGGB-TV

WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS (WGGB) — It’s been part of the International Code Council’s residential code since 2009, but so far Massachusetts has declined to adopt it: legislation requiring that newly-constructed homes include fire extinguishing sprinklers in the blueprint. Not surprisingly, more and more fire chiefs and other officials are voicing their displeasure, including several in western Massachusetts. One of them is Longmeadow fire chief Eric Madison. Read full story.

Taunton Daily Gazette

James Shannon, president of the National Fire Prevention Association, estimated that sprinkler systems decrease the risk of death in home fires by 80 percent and reduce the risk of property damage by 74 percent. In 54,000 fires in Massachusetts one- and two-family homes over the last decade, he estimated, more than 2,300 firefighters and 1,500 civilians were injured and more than $753 million in property damage occurred. Read full story.

December 14, 2011 - The Milford Daily News

BOSTON - State Fire Marshall Stephen Coan spoke out yesterday in support of giving cities and towns the option of requiring fire sprinklers in one- and two-family homes. Read full story.

December 13, 2011 - The Taunton Daily Gazette

BOSTON - Firefighters, mourning the loss of one of their own in a Worcester house fire last week, pleaded with state public safety officials Tuesday to give cities and towns the authority to require sprinkler systems in new one- or two-family homes. Read full story.

December 8, 2011 - exploreharford.com

Harford Co., MD - The Harford County Council voted Tuesday to delay implementation of the controversial fire sprinkler requirement for new single family and duplex homes until next July 1, hoping to buy time to reach out to the public and offer more information on sprinklers. Read full story.

December 6, 2011 - The Gadsen Times

Gadsden, AL - The Gadsden City Council likely will chose to “opt out” of a requirement in the new International Residential Building Code that would require new residential construction to have fire sprinkler systems installed. Read full story.

December 2, 2011 - myCentralJersey.com

The New Jersey Assembly has the opportunity to make a very significant step in the direction of protecting our residents from the dangers of fire. It is voting on bill A3278, which requires fire sprinkler systems in new one- and two-family homes, on Dec. 5. Read full story.

Hot Stat: Today's Homes Burn Faster Than Ever
November 7, 2011 - AOL Real Estate
It may sound like a cliche to trot out fire safety tips before the holiday season, but if there's one statistic that bears repeating, it's this: Even with adequate smoke alarms, a house fire today can become uncontrollable in less than three minutes. Read full story.

Residential Sprinkler Debate Rages in Kansas
November 6, 2011 - Firehouse
If a fire breaks out at your house, even if the smoke alarm alerts you, don't count on more than three minutes to escape, fire officials say. And you might have less time before the gases overcome you, said Bob McLemore, Colby fire chief and president of the Kansas State Association of Fire Chiefs. While California has adopted a state law requiring sprinklers, Kansas has moved in the opposite direction: This year, the Legislature enacted a law that permanently prohibits cities and counties from requiring sprinkler systems in new homes or duplexes. Builders' representatives sought the law. Read full story.

Residential sprinkler plan faces one-year delay
October 27, 2011 - Pantagraph.com
NORMAL, IL — A plan to require residential sprinklers in new houses in Normal beginning Jan. 1 could be postponed for another year. Read full story.

Hearings set for residential sprinkler proposal
October 26, 2011 - Pantagraph.com
BLOOMINGTON, IL — Two public hearings are planned Thursday on a proposal to require sprinklers in all new residential construction in Bloomington. Read full story.

Exemption requested from city sprinkler requirement
October 18, 2011 - herald-mail.com
Hagerstown, MD - Aiming to accommodate developers who began projects prior to the adoption of a residential sprinkler requirement, Mayor Robert E. Bruchey II asked the Hagerstown City Council Tuesday to consider amending the city building code to exempt certain developments from the requirement. Read full story.

August 31, 2011 - Redding.com
RED BLUFF — Tehama County supervisors decided this week they'll consider an ordinance that requires fire sprinklers for some manufactured homes. Read full story.

August 27, 2011 - Daily News Los Angeles -
Residential building permit activity in Los Angeles County took a big tumble last month, falling nearly 70 percent from last year's levels. In addition to the sour economy, the group blamed some of the drop on expensive fire sprinkler and green building requirements that took effect Jan. 1. Read full story.

August 17, 2011 - OswegoPatch
About 74 jurisdictions in Illinois have adopted ordinances requiring fire sprinklers, including Aurora, Lisle, Naperville. Oswego officials are mulling whether to adopt an ordinance requiring fire suppression sprinklers to be installed in newly constructed single-family residential homes.
http://oswego.patch.com/articles/oswego-debates-sprinkler-mandate-for-newly-built-single-family-homes

July 29, 2011 - The Dispatch
SALISBURY – Certain areas of the city may be exempt from a recently passed sprinkler system requirement in newly constructed homes due to existing infrastructure. According to City Administrator John Pick, on Aug. 9, 2010, the city approved a requirement that all one-and two-family residential dwellings built after that date be required to install sprinkler systems for fire protection. However, in certain developments throughout the city infrastructure has already been installed under old city standards but housing has yet to be constructed. Read full story.

July 14, 2011 - TribLocal Arlingon
The Arlington Heights Village Voard rejected the notion that sprinklers should be installed in all newly constructed residential homes this week. Read full story.

June 29, 2011 - Keepmecurrent.com -
SOUTH PORTLAND - South Portland is mulling a complete "repeal and replace" of its Fire Protection and Prevention Ordinance and, although there are a host of changes, the one referred to by city officials as "the big, scary one" would mandate use of sprinkler systems. Read full story.

May 6, 2011 - Eagle-Tribune

Local and state fire officials say a move to prohibit towns from requiring sprinkler systems in homes jeopardizes public safety and guts local control. Read full story.

May 4, 2011 - centredaily.com

More fire fatalities, property damage and more danger. That’s what we get from the first bill Gov. Tom Corbett has signed into law. This measure repeals the residential fire sprinkler requirement in the International Residential Code, which requires all newly constructed one-and two-family homes built in Pennsylvania to have a fire sprinkler system installed. Read full story.

April 25, 2011 - PR Newswire

The PA Association of Realtors® (PAR) today announced that Gov. Tom Corbett has signed his first bill, House Bill 377, into law, repealing a mandate of sprinkler systems in new single-family residential construction. Read full story.

April 13, 2011 - The Examiner
Pennsylvania's House of Representatives on Wednesday firmly stamped its approval on a bill to repeal a statewide requirement that sprinkler systems be installed in newly built homes and sent the measure to Gov. Tom Corbett. Read full story.

April 5, 2011 - Daily Local News

A state Senate committee is slated to vote on legislation this morning that would reverse a mandate requiring new single-family and duplex homes to be equipped with residential sprinkler systems. Read full story.

April 4, 2011 - WRBL News 3

Bill Hart at the Greater Columbus Homebuilders Association said Georgia Governor Sonny Purdue signed House Bill 1196 into law less than a year ago, deleting the requirement for sprinklers in single family homes. Read full story.

April 4, 2011 - Montana Watchdog

HELENA – The House of Representatives on Monday refused to amend a bill as suggested by the governor and instead sent it back to him unchanged for reconsideration. Read full story.

March 30, 2011 - Contractor Mag

HARRISBURG, PA. — Last month the Pennsylvania House of Representatives approved legislation, H.B. 377, to repeal the residential fire sprinkler mandate in the state’s construction code. The bill would exclude all new one- and two-family residences from the sprinkler requirement that became part of the Uniform Construction Code, effective Jan. 1, 2011. The measure is now headed to the Pennsylvania Senate for consideration. Read full story.

March 21, 2011 - TheTribune, CO

The city of Greeley’s new requirement for homebuilders to install residential sprinklers in any new home in Greeley has sparked some push back from area builders...Safarik notes the city can retain its current code requirement, remove it to mirror requirements enforced in other Colorado communities, amend it to phase in the new requirement by 2013, or remove it altogether, requiring a “homeowner to acknowledge that they have had the fire sprinkler option presented to them and have waived it,” the report stated. Read full story.

March 21, 2011 - Middletown Transcript

Hockessin, Del. — The Greater Hockessin Area Development Association voted unanimously Monday, March 21 to urge New Castle County Council to delay a vote that would require new, single family residential homes to be constructed with sprinkler systems. Read full story.

March 3, 2011 - The Daily Item
Bill being considered to make sprinklers optional. When Dennis Reedy was at the Central Susquehanna Builders Association annual Home Show in Bloomsburg last week, he faced a frequent question about Pennsylvania’s recently enacted sprinkler law. Read full story.

March 3, 2011 - DelmarvaNow.com
PRINCESS ANNE -- Somerset County residents overwhelmingly urged County Commissioners to opt out of a building code amendment that would require fire sprinklers in new homes -- a measure they said would add thousands of dollars to the sale price. Read full story.

February 28, 2011 - WHTM ABC27
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) - The state House Labor and Industry Committee has approved legislation to exclude the fire sprinkler mandate from Pennsylvania's construction code for most new homes. Read full story.

February 24, 2011 - DelmarvaNow.com
OCEAN CITY -- Beginning March 1, all new mobile homes built by the Department of Housing and Urban Development for Ocean City will be required to have a residential fire sprinkler system. Read full story.

February 24, 2011 - Explore Hartford County - MD

The town of Bel Air joined the rest of Harford County Tuesday in adopting requirements for fire suppression sprinklers in all new residential construction. Read full story.

February 23, 2011 - Centralia Chronicle
Members of the public filled the Centralia City Council Chamber beyond capacity Tuesday night to weigh in on the adoption of a controversial amendment to the city’s building code that would require installation of sprinkler systems in new residential dwellings. Read full story.

February 18, 2011 - FireFightingNews

United States (California) - Starting this year, homes built in Inland Southern California and throughout the state will be sold with a virtual firefighter in every room, on duty 24 hours a day to save lives. That is the way fire marshals describe California building code amendments that now require every single-family home and duplex built anywhere in the state to be equipped with a fire sprinkler system. Read full story.

February 14, 2011 - ClaimsJournal.com

Missouri lawmakers have endorsed a bill that lets homeowners choose whether to install fire sprinklers in their homes. Read full story.

February 12, 2011 - Centre Daily Times

BELLEFONTE — A bill to remove the state building code requirement to install sprinklers in new, single-family homes faces opposition from at least one municipality. Read full story.

February 11, 2011 - Finance and Commerce

Bill would ban requiring systems in new homes. Minnesota’s building code does not require fire sprinklers in new single-family homes, and home builders hope it stays that way. Read full story.

February 16, 2011 - The River Reporter

Officials join chorus for repeal. HAWLEY, PA — The unpopular new law imposing strict regulations on the inclusion of sprinkler systems in all new Pennsylvania one-family and two-family homes is being widely opposed by builders, home owners and local officials, which is not news. What is news is that state elected officials are now joining the chorus of opponents. Read full story.

February 9, 2011 - BurlingtonFreePress.com

COLCHESTER — Firefighters spent nearly six hours Wednesday battling a blaze that eventually destroyed a home in Colchester. Read full story.

February 9, 2011 - Danville News

HARRISBURG — A state legislator from Williamsport has made a move to repeal the mandate that requires sprinkler systems in new homes in Pennsylvania. Read full story.

February 4, 2011 - So Md News

Changes to the Calvert County Building Code could require automatic residential fire sprinkler systems to be installed in new one- and two-family homes. The changes would reflect the Maryland State Department of Housing and Community Development's adoption of 2009 International Building Code and International Residential Code regulations. Read full story.

February 2, 2011 - delmarvanow.com

SALISBURY — The Wicomico County Council has decided to exempt houses and town houses from Maryland's new fire sprinkler requirements. Local governments have the option of opting out of the state requirement, which took effect Jan. 1. Read full story.

January 6, 2011 - Quad-City Times

Prohibitive costs are keeping a requirement of fire sprinkler systems for residential dwellings out of the building code Scott County plans to adopt. Read full story.

January 5, 2011 - Explore Hartford County, MD

Beginning a year from now, every new home built in Harford County will be required to have a fire suppression sprinkler system. At its first legislative meeting of 2011 Tuesday evening, the Harford County Council enacted an updated building code that will require sprinklers in all new single-family and duplex homes constructed after Jan. 1, 2012. Read full story.

January 4, 2011 - Delaware County Daily Times

Pennsylvania is one of two states requiring sprinkler systems in all new residential construction at the start of this year, something that has builders fuming. Read full story.

December 29, 2010 - Delmarvanow.com

SNOW HILL, MD -- In a 2-0 vote, the Snow Hill Town Council voted to opt out of the Maryland law requiring all new single-family dwellings to contain a residential sprinkler system, but kept the requirement in place for duplexes. Read full story.

December 27, 2010 - Hollister Free Lance

New building-safety codes that require a fire sprinkler system in all new homes in California starting next year could save lives - but also flood local builders with extra costs and a longer road to recovery from the recession. Read full story.

December 25, 2010 - The News-Herald Serving Southern Ohio

Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy also said mandatory home sprinkler systems are a long way from being implemented in Ohio. "The timing would be bad in Ohio right now to impose additional restrictions on home building," Troy said. Read full story.

December 24, 2010 - The Dispatch

SNOW HILL, MD – Coming on the heels of Berlin’s decision last week, the County Commissioners voted 5-2 to completely exempt the county from the recent state law mandating residential sprinkler systems in all new one- and two-family homes. Read full story.

December 22, 2010 - The Wall Street Journal

California and Pennsylvania are set to become the first states requiring sprinkler systems in all new residential construction Jan. 1, something that has builders in those states fuming...State and local governments can adopt or reject the council’s changes: Most states are leaving the decision to local jurisdictions. While some local jurisdictions have had the requirement for years, states including South Dakota and Rhode Island decided not to require sprinklers.(For a list of what states have done, click here.) Read full story.

December 22, 2010 - Atascadero News CA

The Atascadero City Council voted 4-0 in support of updating sprinkler codes with one modification that eases the burden for some agriculture structures. Atascadero Fire Chief Kurt Stone gave the report that recommended updating codes that would build in breathing room to families with homes in the range of 3,000 square feet...With council’s approval, homes between 3,000 and 5,000 square feet can make 10-percent upgrades without adding sprinklers. Read full story.

December 16, 2010 - Delmarvanow.com

BERLIN, MD -- Members of the Berlin Council voted 4-1 to exempt the town from the state's new sprinkler requirements for single-family homes. Read full story.

December 9, 2010 - The River Reporter

PENNSYLVANIA — A new Pennsylvania building law that will require the inclusion of sprinkler systems in all new one-family and two-family homes has raised a major tsunami of protest from the Pennsylvania Building Association (PBA), real estate brokers, some township officials and many homeowners. Read full story.

December 2, 2010 - Pittsburgh Tribune Review, PA

A survey by the National Association of Homebuilders, which represents 8,200 residential construction companies, found that 85 percent of consumers do not want sprinkler systems in their homes. But supporters of the mandate say that the life-saving benefits of sprinklers and reduction in property damage outweigh the added expense. Read full story.

November 30, 2010 - Delmarvanow.com, MD

BERLIN -- After hearing from supporters and opponents of exempting Berlin from the state's new residential fire sprinkler requirement, council members chose to table the issue until December. Read full story.

November 23, 2010 - The Herald-Mail, MD

To require sprinklers or not to require sprinklers? That was the question debated again Tuesday night by the Hagerstown City Council. Read full story.

November 19, 2010 - insurancenewsnet.com

Michigan’s Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth (MDELEG) has rejected a proposal to force home buyers to equip their new homes with fire sprinklers. Residential fire sprinklers remain as a voluntary option available to purchasers of new homes. The decision by MDELEG was made as part of its triennial construction code review, and marks the second consecutive code cycle in which the state agency has rejected efforts to impose a mandatory sprinkler requirement on Michigan homeowners. Read full story.

My Edmonds News, WA

After a significant amount of discussion and a number of failed motions and amendments, the Edmonds City Council Tuesday night approved an ordinance that requires installation of residential fire sprinkler systems in new construction of one-family and two-family homes and townhouses that are 3,000 square feet or larger in size. Read full story.

November 16, 2010 - WNEP

It now looks as if a new law requiring fire sprinklers systems in all new homes will take effect in Pennsylvania in January. The new building code could cost home owners thousands of dollars. Soon new homes will be required to have new fire sprinkler systems. A new building code requires the systems in all new residential structures. It's scheduled to take effect in Pennsylvania on January 1. Lawmakers in Harrisburg were considering a one year delay but the state House failed to pass it. Read full story.

November 14, 2010 - Tahoe Daily Tribune
TRUCKEE/TAHOE — Increased state fire sprinkler regulations planned for the new year are spurring concerns from some fire officials, who say added new construction costs, enforcement and freezing pipes are big issues to resolve. Read full story.
November 11, 2010 - The Dispatch

BERLIN - The town of Berlin introduced an ordinance at Monday's Mayor and Council Meeting exempting it from the new state requirements regarding the installation of sprinkler systems in residential developments. The ordinance will be open to a public hearing on Nov. 22. The new regulation, which states that all new one- or two-family dwellings must have automatic sprinklers, is part of the International Residential Building Code, a code Maryland has already accepted, an act that has sparked discussion all over the state. At the county level, the Worcester County Commissioners still have not decided whether to look for an exemption from the new sprinkler rule. If they chose to do so, it could result in reduced state funding. A hearing on the issue is planned for sometime later this year. Read full story.

November 11, 2010 - The Dispatch
OCEAN CITY – Unlike their colleagues in the county and Berlin, the Ocean City Mayor and Council has no problem with a change to the building code requiring fire sprinkler systems be installed in newly built single-family homes. According to a letter written by City Engineer Terry McGean, on Jan. 1, 2010 the state recognized the 2009 International Building Code, and the International Energy Conservation Codes, replacing the 2006 version of these codes. Local jurisdictions were to implement and enforce the 2009 codes within six months of the state adoption. Read full story.

November 11, 2010 - Patriot-News

This is in response to the letter (Nov. 3) "The use of sprinklers can be crucial safety factor" by Thomas Savage. Read full story.

November 10, 2010 - Delmarva Daily Times

BERLIN - The town will consider declaring Berlin exempt from recent state legislation requiring fire sprinklers in residential homes built after the first of the year. Read full story.

November 10, 2010 - The Union of Grass Valley
Nevada County leaders made their distaste for new state building regulations known Tuesday. The county's Board of Supervisors slammed a California regulation which would require all new residential homes to include a sprinkler system, saying it could further cripple an already weak home-building market by adding a tremendous cost. Read full story.

November 8, 2010 - Visalia Times-Delta
Acting state Fire Marshal Tonya Hoover is scheduled to meet with members of the Home Builders Association of Tulare/Kings Counties at their monthly general membership luncheon Nov. 17 at the Lamp Liter Inn in Visalia. Details on the meeting.

November 5, 2010 - stardem.com
TRAPPE - Public hearing set for Dec. 1 - Trappe officials scheduled a hearing for an ordinance that would adopt the International Residential Code but would opt out of a sprinkler requirement. Read full story.

October 26, 2010 - FirefighterNation.com Marcus Rauhut
Builders may get a temporary reprieve from a requirement to install sprinklers in new home construction. The state House will consider a bill that would delay the implementation of new sprinkler requirements for another year. The bill was recently passed by the Senate. Read full story.

The Herald-Mail - October 12, 2010
The Hagerstown City Council on Tuesday moved a step closer toward requiring sprinklers in new one- and two-family homes. Read full story.
Republican & Herald - October 9, 2010
While Pennsylvania municipal authorities see state-mandated sprinkler systems as a potential liability, others see them as the difference between life and death. Read full story.

September 23, 2010 - By Joe Ciccanti-WGMD News
Residential fire sprinklers will be required in all new Worcester County homes built after January 1, 2011–if no further action is taken by the county commissioners. A public hearing was held this week…the outcome did not change the new requirement at this time. Read full story.

September 21, 2010 - Belgrade News

The Belgrade City Council approved the current batch of building codes Monday but more discussion may be on the way later this fall, planner Jason Karp said. Read full story.

September 14, 2010 - Popular Mechanics
A change to the International Residential Code may make fire sprinklers mandatory in new homes. But builders think the measure will be far too costly. Who is right? Read full story.

WGMD Radio - August 26, 2010

County Commissioners in Worcester County will hold a public hearing will be held next month to talk about residential fire sprinkler systems. The public hearing is about the International Residential Code’s adoption of Maryland’s Building Performance Standard – which says all new single and duplex homes, townhouses, apartments and condos are built with residential fire sprinkler systems. The meeting will be Tuesday, September 21 at 10:40am in the Government Office Building on West Market Street in Snow Hill. Read Full Story.

FireEngineering.com - Aug 19, 2010

The National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA), the longest-tenured fire sprinkler advocacy organization in the U.S., announces the City of Portland, Maine, has approved building code changes that will require all new one- and two-family homes and townhouses built in the city to be equipped with life-saving fire sprinkler systems. These new codes will take effect on September 15, 2010. Read Full Story.

August 18, 2010 – The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standards Council has banned the use of antifreeze solution in residential fire sprinkler systems for new construction until further action by NFPA consensus standards committees, and NFPA has issued a follow-up to its July 2010 safety alert to provide updated guidance on the use of antifreeze in residential fire sprinkler systems. The council action and updated alert follow new research that was conducted after a fire incident raised concerns about antifreeze solutions in residential fire sprinkler systems. The incident involved a grease fire in a kitchen where a sprinkler with a high concentration of antifreeze deployed. The fire resulted in a single fatality and serious injury to another person. Read Full News Release.

The Herald-Mail - August 10, 2010

The Washington County Commissioners decided Tuesday not to require fire sprinkler systems in new single-family or two-family homes as part of a building code update. Read Full Story.

Cumberland Times-News – August 4, 2010

— OAKLAND — New homes built in Garrett County will not be required to contain automatic sprinkler systems, a statewide proposal that sparked heated debate in many Maryland counties. Read Full Story.

Leesburg Today – July 23, 2010

The Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development is expected to cast a final vote Monday on amendments to the state building code, putting to rest a debate that has raged for years between fire-fighting organizations and the building industry over whether sprinkler systems should be mandatory in new home construction, an action that will open the next chapter for those who are still hoping to see sprinklers become a part of all new development. Read Full Story.

Ocean City Today – July 23, 2010

Concerns about sprinklers in residential buildings led the Worcester County Commissioners to postpone a vote to update its building code. Read Full Story.

July 7, 2010

Starting next year, all new single-family homes in Baltimore County must have automatic sprinkler systems installed.The County Council voted unanimously ... Read Full Story.

By HEATHER KEELS - July 6, 2010

After listening to impassioned arguments for and against mandatory home fire sprinkler systems during a public hearing Tuesday morning, the Washington County Commissioners were left wondering whether they had any say in whether or not to require them. Read full story.

by Edythe Jensen - Jul. 3, 2010

Building codes that require fire sprinklers in new houses have fueled debates in Valley cities and the state Legislature for years, and they're flaring up again as Chandler considers joining a handful of Arizona municipalities with the mandate. Read full story.

Baltimore City, June 29, 2010

Baltimore has become the largest American city to require automatic sprinklers in new single family homes and duplexes, after a law change signed earlier this month. Read full story.

June 23, 2010

The St. Louis County Council on Tuesday tentatively approved updating the residential code without a controversial requirement for sprinkler systems in new single and two-family houses. The code would make builders tell house buyers that such systems are available. Read full story.

By BRIAN BECKLEY, Bonney Lake-Sumner Courier-Herald Reporter, Jun 14 2010

East Pierce Fire and Rescue is promoting a pair of initiatives that could make sprinkler systems a lot more common. Read full story.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Paul Hampel, Jun. 11, 2010
A recommendation that fire sprinklers be a part of every new residential structure in St. Louis County has pitted home builders against fire officials and the sprinkler industry. Read full story.

By Ashley Fletcher Frampton. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Published June 8, 2010

Gov. Mark Sanford on Monday signed into law a bill that delays until January 2014 a requirement that new homes be built with fire sprinkler systems. Read full story.

The Baltimore Sun. June 8, 2010

A Baltimore City Council committee will hear a proposal this morning to require fire sprinkler systems in new homes and -- more significantly for a city chock-full of aging rowhomes -- in most renovations. Read full story.

Kevin Spradlin. Cumberland Times-News. June 3, 2010

CUMBERLAND — In full dress uniform, Cumberland Fire Chief William Herbaugh stood before the Allegany County Board of Commissioners on Thursday and said he supported the proposed legislation that would require residential sprinklers in newly constructed one- and two-family homes. Read full story.

By Bob Goldsborough. Special to the Tribune
The council also voted not to require the builders of all single-family homes to install sprinkler systems, as the 2009 International Residential Code had recommended. Instead, the council directed its staff to review the next edition of the IRC and consider setting a minimum square footage threshold for a home that would require the installation of a sprinkler system. Read full story.

ORLAND PARK, Ill., May 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Officials from Wilmette, Illinois, passed the village's first residential fire sprinkler ordinance requiring fire sprinklers in all new homes that are being built with lightweight construction. With the passage of this ordinance, the Village of Wilmette becomes the 67th jurisdiction in Illinois to pass residential fire sprinkler legislation. Read full story.

May 19, 2010 - Plans to require sprinkler systems in new homes in Concord's rural areas would end under a bill working its way through the Legislature. Read full story.

March 29, 2010 - Homebuilders are asking state lawmakers to prevent enforcement of a building code requiring new homes to include fire sprinkler systems starting in 2011. The S.C. Building Codes Council recently added the requirement. But builders say the sprinklers aren’t necessary and raise the cost of construction. Read full story.

February 19, 2010 - TOPEKA — A day after losing on a tie vote, builders and their supporters in the state House of Representatives won a revote on a bill that would prohibit local governments from mandating fire sprinklers in homes and small apartment buildings. Read full story.

February 11, 2010 The states of Maryland, Iowa, and New Jersey have taken steps to adopt the 2009 IRC, including the fire sprinkler requirement for new one- and two-family homes and townhomes. These states have joined the other three states -- California, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania -- for a total of six states recognizing the importance of this safety feature as necessary to protect the lives of the people in their communities against the ravages of fire. Read full story.

February 10, 2010 Shelbyville Times-Gazette

Bedford County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday night approved placing the rural portion of the county under the 2009 International Building Code and the 2009 Residential Code, but exempted the county from the portion of the code which requires fire protection sprinklers in new one-family and two-family dwellings. Read full story.

January 13, 2010 - California adopted building code changes that will require all new one- and two-family homes and townhouses built in the state starting January 1, 2011, to be equipped with life-saving fire sprinkler systems. The California State Building Standards Commission voted unanimously by a margin of 10-0 in favor of adopting the 2010 California Residential Code, which includes the 2009 International Residential Code as established by the Code Council in September 2008... click to continue

December 20th, 2009 by Residential Fire Sprinklers .com

On Friday, December 11, the New Hampshire State Code Review Board voted in the majority to adopt the International Residential Code 2009 edition, including townhouse automatic fire sprinkler systems and one- and two-family dwellings automatic fire sprinkler systems; effective April 1, 2012. The New Hampshire Home Builders Association Representative, John Starr spoke vehemently against adoption while the New Hampshire Fire Chiefs’ Representatives Chief Corey Landry and Local Fire Marshal Michael Hoisington countered every negative remark in a passionate and professional manner. There was widespread support from the Board of Architects, Board of Engineers, New Hampshire Building Officials Association, Board of Licensing and Regulations of Plumbers, and the New Hampshire Plumbing & Mechanical Contractors Association.

http://www.residentialfiresprinklers.com/blog/new-hampshire-adopting-2009-irc-with-the-residential-fire-sprinkler-requirement/

December 11th, 2009 by George L. Church, Jr.

The last hurdle from the Independent Regulatory Review Commission came yesterday, as they recommended to Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor & Industry that the new International Residential Code be placed in effect 1\1\10 WITH NO RESTRICTIONS OMITTING SPRINKLERS.

http://www.residentialfiresprinklers.com/blog/pennsylvania-adopting-2009-irc-with-the-residential-fire-sprinkler-requirement/

Letters to the Editor: Costly Fire Sprinklers Aren't Needed
http://www.nbnnews.com/NBN/issues/2009-11-09/housing+forum/index.html

NAHB Loses First Vote on Fire Sprinkler Mandate
Two NAHB proposals that would have removed requirements for fire sprinkler systems in one- and two-family homes from the 2012 International Residential Code (IRC) lost the first battle last week when the Residential Building and Energy Committee voted seven to four to keep this mandate in the main body of the code. http://www.nbnnews.com/NBN/issues/2009-11-02/codes+and+standards/index.html

November 2, 2009 - Calling it a critical step toward reducing deaths and destruction caused by home fires, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) President James M. Shannon applauded the recent vote by the International Code Council (ICC) to retain the code provision in the next edition of the International Residential Code (IRC) that all new one- and two-family homes to be equipped with home fire sprinklers. The 2009 IRC included this provision for the first time. Proposals were then submitted to remove the requirement for the next edition and have now been voted down. NFPA supplied testimony for support of the provision at the hearing prior to the vote. http://ow.ly/15YZnJ

Communities with home fire sprinkler requirements http://firesprinklerinitiative.org/cities/index.php?p=statelist&PHPSESSID=kpu25utjj6e1k4vc5npe3hctr6

Residential Fire Sprinklers.com - continue to follow updates by reading blogs and information posted about the residential sprinkler mandate. http://www.residentialfiresprinklers.com/blog/

Home Fire Sprinkler System Requirement Consideration Moving Forward in Virginia http://www.residentialfiresprinklers.com/blog/home-fire-sprinkler-system-requirement-consideration-moving-forward-in-virginia/

Missouri Home Builders Reach Compromise with State Fire Marshal- Governor Jay Nixon recently signed into law that certain homebuilders will be required to offer to any purchaser of a new home, prior to entering into contract, the option to install or equip their home with a fire sprinkler system at the purchaser's cost. Missouri is the fifth state to reiterate that the decision to require sprinklers in new construction should not be mandated by the state and that it is ultimately the homeowners right to determine for themselves whether or not to install residential sprinklers. 7/15/2009 www.nahb.org

Texas Senate Bill Signed into Law - Governor Rick Perry signed the fire sprinkler bill into law today which will prohibit any jurisdiction, city or municipality that adopts the 2009 International Residential Code from requiring home owners to install residential fire sprinklers in one- or two- family dwellings. In addition, the bill would provide any homeowner who elects to install a residential sprinkler system in their home to able to allow plumbers to perform the work. 6/22/2009 www.nahb.org

- Congratulations to both North Dakota and Idaho on becoming the first states to pass legislation that would prohibit the state building code or building codes adopted at the local level from mandating residential fire sprinklers in one- and two- family dwellings. As written, home buyers will continue to decide for themselves whether or not they need to installresidential sprinklers in their newly built residences. 5/8/2009 www.nahb.org

http://www.nfpa.org/newsReleaseDetails.asp?categoryid=488&itemId=42956&cookie%5Ftest=1

http://www.builderonline.com/building-codes/several-states-weighing-laws-to-block-mandated-sprinkler-codes.aspx?cid=BLDR090324002

http://www.firesprinklerinitiative.org/itemDetail.asp?categoryID=66&itemID=1100&URL=Featured%20Resources%20/%20

http://implode-explode.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=257432

http://www.nbnnews.com/NBN/issues/2008-09-22/Front+Page/5.html

For more information or to purchase, contact us or call
800-989-8577 | 330-336-1500 | info@noburn.com

Policies & Procedures | Privacy Policy | Site Map