ICC Rejects Fire Sprinklers in Single-Family Homes

Affordable housing advocates pushed back an effort to include requirements for fire sprinklers during final hearings in Rochester, N.Y., recently for proposed changes to the International Residential Code. Fire sprinkler proponents were unable to win the required two-thirds majority vote in the May 22 hearings, meaning that fire sprinkler requirements for one- and two-family homes will remain in the appendix of the code.

Fire sprinkler requirements will remain a local jurisdictional choice - exactly as it should be, said building code officials and representatives from the NAHB federation of state and local home building associations who spoke at the code hearings.

The 476 to 375 vote on May 22 demonstrates that more building officials are being swayed by proponents' arguments and that home builders must continue to emphasize the increasing safety measures incorporated in today's homes and the importance of working smoke alarms and fire safety education to prevent fires.

NAHB members emphasized at the hearings that the association does not oppose fire sprinklers. The association has asked the International Code Council to convene an ad hoc committee to develop lower cost alternatives to current sprinkler systems. NAHB also supports efforts to increase the effectiveness of smoke alarms.

Association leaders who worked to get the home builders' pro-smoke alarm message heard said they were pleased with the results of the vote.

To read about the ICC decisions affecting the home building industry, visit http://www.nbnnews.com/NBN/issues/2007-05-28/Front+Page/3.html.