There is a movement afoot in Indiana that would require all new construction of 1 or 2 unit residential buildings to have a fire sprinkler system installed. Depending on whether you talk to proponents or opponents, the cost of adding a sprinkler system would be anywhere from $1.61/s.f. to $6.88/s.f.
The Indiana Builders Association is solidly against this proposed legislation. The following information comes from their web site www.buildindiana.org.
Mandatory Fire Sprinklers
Home Builders Oppose Mandatory Fire Sprinklers...The home building industry is dedicated to the safety of the communities in which they build. Whenever changes are proposed to the building codes, we make sure that these proposals are necessary and that they are cost effective so that homes stay affordable. Fire sprinklers are expensive to install, can be difficult to maintain and do not represent a cost-effective safety improvement over smoke alarm systems. Indiana Builders Association supports programs that encourage the installation and maintenance of smoke alarm systems in all homes rather than measures to mandate fire sprinkler systems.
Fire Sprinklers Are Not Required in One and Two-Family Dwellings in Indiana YET...The requirement for mandatory fire sprinklers in all one and two-family dwellings and townhomes made its debut in the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC). Indiana is currently reviewing this code for adoption in 2010. The Residential Code Review Committee of the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission, comprised of building officials, home builders, and others from various disciplines related to residential construction and design, carefully weighed the testimony provided by the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) then voted 18-6 to delete the requirement for fire sprinklers in new home construction. Once the Committee completes its review and the document is published as a proposed rule, a public hearing is set and proponents of fire sprinklers will fight hard to get the requirement re-inserted. The Commission will have the final say on whether or not sprinklers are mandated for Indiana new homebuyers when it considers the proposed rule later this year.
What IBA Is Doing...
IBA is forming alliances with other organizations that support the installation and maintenance of smoke alarm systems in all homes rather than measures to mandate fire sprinkler systems.
IBA is gathering information on the true costs of installing sprinkler systems.
Costs vary significantly, ranging from $2.66/ sq ft to $6.88/ sq ft, depending on a home's location, layout, number of stories, and other factors - particularly access to water. Since much of Indiana is rural and many homes are on wells, typical costs are even higher because of the need for additional components such as storage tanks and larger pumps. Homeowners with wells must consider how the sprinklers will operate if the power goes out or if water pressure is a problem.
IBA commissioned at survey to determine Hoosier homeowners' opinions regarding residential fire sprinklers. According to a Public Opinion Strategies Survey of 500 likely voters in Indiana conducted January 12-13, 2010:
* Nine out of ten Hoosiers believe smoke detectors do an adequate job of protecting their family from house fires.
* 57% believe that fire sprinkler systems should be optional for homebuyers that want them.
* Hoosier new homebuyers would prefer a free finished basement and even a free home security system over a free fire sprinkler system.
I would be interested in hearing the experiences from other states, the perspective of legislators in favor of this, and the opinion of my firefighter friends whom I respect so much.
You may see all of our blogs here on ActiveRain and at www.AtlasPropertyGroup.blogspot.com
Comments(4)