A new law would require all new homes built in PA to have water sprinkler systems installed. Supposedly this new, expensive mandate will save lives but the National Incident Reporting System confirms that the use of hard-wired smoke detectors alone will prevent over 99% of all fire deaths.
I just sent email to Representative Mike Peifer and Senator Lisa Baker, asking them to PLEASE schedule HB 1196 and HB 60 for a concurrence vote on Monday, November 15th.
HB 1196 extends the 2006 UCC and removes the sprinkler mandate on all new construction starting in January, 2011. Installing sprinklers is an extremely expensive and unnecessary method of preventing fire deaths and one that Pennsylvanians don't want.
It will add from $5,000 to up to $10,000 to the cost of building a home. This is a decision that should be left up to the homeowner. I can see requiring this in townhouses/condos, duplexes, and multi family homes, but not for single family residential homes.
The Housing Trust Fund (HB 60) gives Pennsylvania the opportunity to take advantage of federal stimulus funds to find solutions to affordable housing issues without additional taxes.
Using Housing Trust Funds will help rebuild the state's economy by putting properties back on the tax rolls and increasing property values, which in turn will help stabilize communities.
Please contact your legislative representatives and urge them VOTE YES to HB 1196 and HB 60 and help keep housing affordable in Pennsylvania.
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