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ICC Upholds Mandatory Fire Sprinklers in Residential Code

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams

In November 2009 the International Code Council (ICC) voted to keep the language related to mandatory fire sprinklers installed in all new one and two family homes in the next edition of the International Residential Code (IRC). Fire sprinklers will be mandatory in new buildings beginning on January 1, 2011.   Currently, 48 states, including Texas, use the IRC as a basis of regulating residential construction.

The International Residential Code (IRC) is a comprehensive, stand alone residential code that creates minimum regulations for one- and two-family dwellings of three stories or less. It brings together all building, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, energy and electrical provisions for one- and two-family residences.

Homes in your area will not affected until the regulatory authorities of that area adopt the new IRC codes.

The current language for the new codes are below:

Townhouses

R313.1 Townhouse automatic fire sprinkler systems. An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall be installed in townhouses.

Exception: An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall not be required when additions or alterations are made to existing townhouses that do not have an automatic residential fire sprinkler system installed.

R313.1.1 Design and installation. Automatic residential fire sprinkler systems for townhouses shall be designed and installed in accordance with Section P2904.

One- and Two-Family Dwellings

R313.2 One- and two-family dwellings automatic fire systems. Effective January 1, 2011, an automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall be installed in one- and two- family dwellings.
Exception: An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall not be required for additions or alterations to existing buildings that are not already provided with an automatic residential sprinkler system.

R313.2.1 Design and installation. Automatic residential fire sprinkler systems shall be designed and installed in accordance with Section P2904 or NFPA 13D.

 

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