Residential Fire Sprinkler Mandate
Tuesday, October 28th, 2008 10:30 amBy Scott Lee McElyea
The International Code Council passed a new fire sprinkler mandate this September in an overwhelming vote of 1,283 in favor of the mandate compared to 470 against. The new fire sprinkler mandate will require all one and two family homes built on or after January 1, 2011 to include a home fire sprinkler system. This new code is accompanied by many mixed feelings and opinions.
Supporters of home sprinkler systems stress that in the event of a house fire, these sprinklers will allow people more time to evacuate their homes during a fire by preventing flashover. Flashover occurs when the temperature in a room reaches a point where all combustible materials burst into flames. They also point out that many homes and the property within them will be saved. (more…)