| Editor’s note: Check out FireRescue1 columnist Tom LaBelle’s take on the sprinkler issue and this weekend’s vote in his latest article, “Time to be Heroes.” |
By Jamie Thompson
FireRescue1 Editor
 If the Fire Sprinkler’s Coalition proposed change to the International Residential Code passes Saturday, sprinklers would be required in all new one-and two-family homes. |
About 20 percent of all reported fires occur in one- and two-family structures — but these fires cause two-thirds of the fire deaths in the United States.
The statistics are simple enough — and so is the solution.
This weekend, the fire service, home safety advocates and building code officials will push for a change to the International Residential Code that would require fire sprinklers in new single-family homes. The IRC is the model code governing residential construction in 46 states plus the District of Columbia.
At the International Code Council’s final action hearing in Minneapolis, sprinkler proponents hope to build upon the momentum gained last year during a sprinkler resolution’s narrow defeat in Rochester, N.Y.
A majority of attendees — 56 percent — voted in favor, falling less than 100 votes short of the two-thirds majority required.
The push is being headed up by the IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition, which has the backing of more than 100 national, state and local organizations including the IAFC, the IAFF, the NVFC and the National Association of State Fire Marshals.
Coalition President Ronny Coleman said his confidence level going into the weekend is based upon the “tremendous support” received from organizations that have adopted the resolution.
“This is the first time in history that there is a unified front advocating for residential fire sprinklers in the International Residential Code — the fire service, home safety advocates and building code officials,” he said.
The commitment and support from the fire service industry and building code officials at the hearing, said Coleman, will play a key role in whether this weekend is a success. But even if the vote comes up short again, Coleman said the coalition has already made significant strides in the promotion of residential sprinklers.
“Regardless of the outcome, this is just one meaningful step in a long journey before sprinklers are installed in every new home built in the United States,” he said.
“It will be an endeavor to support these requirements. However, the IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition remains committed to its mission to educate public policymakers on the value of residential sprinkler systems.”
Of course, such votes are never clear cut. In the opposite corner are builders associations, with the Builders Association of Minnesota actively encouraging its members to make sure they attended this weekend’'s hearing and vote against the sprinkler resolution.
In a memo to members, Karen Linner, director of codes and research, wrote, “Smoke alarms work. Consumers feel safe without sprinklers and the demand is not there.”
However, the most recent data (for the period 2000 to 2004) shows that 34 percent of fire deaths in the United States occurred in homes that had working smoke alarms.
Opponents to mandatory residential sprinkler requirements also often cite the “excessive” costs involved.
 More than eight in 10 fire deaths occur in homes, yet the likelihood of someone dying in a home fire is cut in half when sprinklers are present.  | ||
| — Gary Keith, NFPA Share your thoughts on the vote in the Member Comments section | ||
But in a bid to provide a definitive cost analysis to both sides, the Fire Protection Research Foundation, an affiliate of the NFPA, released a new report earlier this month.
The Home Fire Sprinkler Cost Assessment gave a national perspective on the cost of installing residential fire sprinklers. It calculated that the cost to the home builder of installing sprinkler systems averages $1.61 per sprinklered square foot.
“There’s no question that an investment in a residential fire sprinkler system can prove to be a life-saving decision, but when seeking cost information to make that decision, people are often hard pressed to find true costs.” said Kathleen Almand, executive director of the foundation. “We found that professionals in the field and the average person were in great need of reliable information in this area — the findings from our latest research project provide costs based on actual data.”
This calculation included all costs to the builder associated with sprinkler systems including design, installation, and other costs such as permits, additional equipment, and increased tap and water meter fees.
Gary Keith, vice president of field operations at the NFPA, said installing a home fire sprinkler system is a huge step in the right direction when protecting people and property.
“More than eight in 10 fire deaths occur in homes, yet the likelihood of someone dying in a home fire is cut in half when sprinklers are present,” he said.