A special committee of the International Code Council (ICC) unanimously rejected an appeal filed by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) regarding recently approved residential sprinkler requirements. The appeal from the NAHB came in response to a September Final Action Hearing on the International Residential Code (IRC) in Minneapolis, where representatives from several major fire organizations, including the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), overwhelmingly supported proposals requiring fire sprinkler systems to be installed in all new one-and two-family homes and townhomes.
The NAHB claimed there were procedural irregularities during the Minneapolis vote, but after an extensive review by the ICC’s Appeal Board and a public hearing, it was affirmed that the new IRC fire sprinkler requirements would stand as the product of valid ICC membership action. A recommendation to reject the appeal was issued to the ICC Board of Directors who then unanimously upheld the ruling during their meeting on December 19.
With eight out of ten civilian fire deaths and most fire-related line-of-duty deaths occurring in homes, the need for residential sprinklers is clear. The new requirements will be included in the 2009 edition of the IRC and are set to take effect on January 1, 2011. The NVFC is working with a coalition of national groups as well as with our state association members to encourage adoption of the IRC with the updated fire sprinkler provisions by the various states.