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Residential Sprinkler Developments

Sprinkler Resources
Take a look at these sprinkler resources.

• Fire Sprinkler Initiative website – This site lists of all known fire sprinkler ordinances.
• Sprinkler Developments by State – SBCA monitors the development of sprinkler requirements affecting the structural building components industry.
• Sprinkler Loads on Trusses – SBCA has developed a Tech Note dealing with this issue.
• TTB – Sprinkler Systems & Wood Trusses – This 4-page Truss Technology in Building document provides important information on the key points of the NFPA 13 fire sprinkler standards. It is an essential design tool for Building Designers that clarifies the confusing provisions, restrictions, and exceptions for sprinklers in wood frame construction.

Sprinkler Developments by State Top

Arkansas California Florida Georgia Iowa Kansas Louisiana Michigan Minnesota New Hampshire New Jersey Pennsylvania South Carolina South Dakota Utah Washington

Arkansas AK HB 202 and SB 129 does at least one of the following: 1) prohibits state and local jurisdictions from requiring fire sprinklers in new or existing 1- or 2-family dwellings or buildings with up to 4 units; 2) prohibits local governments from adopting residential fire sprinkler mandates without first holding public hearings; or 3) creates an interim study to examine the fire sprinkler mandate in the 2009 building codes.

California On January 12, 2010, the State of California, Building Standards Commission (BSC), voted 10-0 to adopt the new 2010 California Residential Code (Title 24, Part 2.5), which will include a historical chapter requiring the installation of fire sprinklers in all new residential construction including 1- and 2-family dwellings and townhouses.

Florida FL SB 846 and HB 7095 does at least one of the following: 1) prohibits state and local jurisdictions from requiring fire sprinklers in new or existing 1- or 2-family dwellings or buildings with up to 4 units; 2) prohibits local governments from adopting residential fire sprinkler mandates without first holding public hearings; or 3) creates an interim study to examine the fire sprinkler mandate in the 2009 building codes. The House Governmental Affairs Policy Committee voted unanimously for a bill that would block state building officials from requiring sprinklers in new one- and two-family houses and townhouses. The bill still must make its way through other votes.

Georgia GA HB 1196 does at least one of the following: 1) prohibits state and local jurisdictions from requiring fire sprinklers in new or existing 1- or 2-family dwellings or buildings with up to 4 units; 2) prohibits local governments from adopting residential fire sprinkler mandates without first holding public hearings; or 3) creates an interim study to examine the fire sprinkler mandate in the 2009 building codes.

Iowa IA HB 2531 and SJR 2009 does at least one of the following: 1) prohibits state and local jurisdictions from requiring fire sprinklers in new or existing 1- or 2-family dwellings or buildings with up to 4 units; 2) prohibits local governments from adopting residential fire sprinkler mandates without first holding public hearings; or 3) creates an interim study to examine the fire sprinkler mandate in the 2009 building codes. The State Fire Marshal's office has proposed enforcement rule changes which would allow the State Building Commissioner the enforcement of the 2009 IRC with a 2013 delay for sprinkler enforcement in one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses. This is expected to go into effect January 2010. Local government can still adopt and enforce stricter residential sprinkler requirements. There is expectation that the IA HBA will possibly file a law to prohibit local government to adopt local ordinances for residential fire sprinklers.

Kansas KS SB 573 and HB 2515 does at least one of the following: 1) prohibits state and local jurisdictions from requiring fire sprinklers in new or existing 1- or 2-family dwellings or buildings with up to 4 units; 2) prohibits local governments from adopting residential fire sprinkler mandates without first holding public hearings; or 3) creates an interim study to examine the fire sprinkler mandate in the 2009 building codes.

Louisiana LA HB 206 does at least one of the following: 1) prohibits state and local jurisdictions from requiring fire sprinklers in new or existing 1- or 2-family dwellings or buildings with up to 4 units; 2) prohibits local governments from adopting residential fire sprinkler mandates without first holding public hearings; or 3) creates an interim study to examine the fire sprinkler mandate in the 2009 building codes.

Michigan The Michigan Code Advisory Committee voted to remove residential fire sprinkler requirements from the 2009 Edition of the International Residential Code. Final action on this by the department head and the legislature are pending.

Minnesota Minnesota has opted to skip adoption of the 2009 I-codes, putting off any requirements for sprinklers until at least the 2012 code cycle.

New Hampshire NH HB 1486 does at least one of the following: 1) prohibits state and local jurisdictions from requiring fire sprinklers in new or existing 1- or 2-family dwellings or buildings with up to 4 units; 2) prohibits local governments from adopting residential fire sprinkler mandates without first holding public hearings; or 3) creates an interim study to examine the fire sprinkler mandate in the 2009 building codes. On February 11, 2010, the NH House Committee on Commerce and Consumer Affairs voted to amend “killer” legislation filed earlier this year. HB 1486 was amended (2010-0522h) prohibiting the mandating of fire sprinkler systems in certain dwellings and establishing a committee to study municipal residential fire sprinkler requirements. The amended HB 1486 will be debated on the floor of the House on March 3, 2010. Two bills were heard January 12, 2010 before the NH Commerce and Community Affairs Committee. One bill (HB 1486) would repeal the actions of the State Building Code Review Board which adopted the 2009 IRC with fire sprinklers effective April 1, 2012 – the delay intended to give both sides time to ramp up to meet the requirement. The second bill (HB 1191) prohibits local government from adopting or requiring residential fire sprinklers in any one-, two- or three-family structures. On December 11, 2009, the NH State Building Code Review Board voted to adopt the IRC effective April 1, 2012.

New Jersey The New Jersey Uniform Construction Code Advisory Board (CAB) voted unanimously on a compromise to adopt the 2009 International Residential Code with an effective date of January 1, 2012 for the residential fire sprinkler requirement for new one- and two-family dwellings and also for new townhouses.

Pennsylvania On January 19, 2010, the Pennsylvania Builders Association (PBA) filed a legal brief asking for an injunction to stop the implementation of the 2009 Uniform Construction Code in Pennsylvania. A preliminary hearing related to the injunction is scheduled for March 1. The Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code ICC Review and Advisory Council voted to maintain residential fire sprinkler requirements for one- and two-family homes and townhouses in the 2009 Edition of the International Residential Code.

South Carolina SC HB 4663 does at least one of the following: 1) prohibits state and local jurisdictions from requiring fire sprinklers in new or existing 1- or 2-family dwellings or buildings with up to 4 units; 2) prohibits local governments from adopting residential fire sprinkler mandates without first holding public hearings; or 3) creates an interim study to examine the fire sprinkler mandate in the 2009 building codes.

South Dakota SC HB 4663 does at least one of the following: 1) prohibits state and local jurisdictions from requiring fire sprinklers in new or existing 1- or 2-family dwellings or buildings with up to 4 units; 2) prohibits local governments from adopting residential fire sprinkler mandates without first holding public hearings; or 3) creates an interim study to examine the fire sprinkler mandate in the 2009 building codes.

Utah UT HB 308 does at least one of the following: 1) prohibits state and local jurisdictions from requiring fire sprinklers in new or existing 1- or 2-family dwellings or buildings with up to 4 units; 2) prohibits local governments from adopting residential fire sprinkler mandates without first holding public hearings; or 3) creates an interim study to examine the fire sprinkler mandate in the 2009 building codes. Effective July 1, 2010, the Utah legislature has adopted the 2009 I-codes and have specifically deleted section R313, which would have mandated fire sprinkler systems in the IRC. Fire sprinklers are not required for projects falling under the State Residential Code.

Washington Washington State has adopted the 2009 ICC codes, effective July 1, 2010, and removed the section on fire sprinklers (R313). Local adoption of this section is permitted. According to a memorandum from Montesano, WA City Attorney Dan Glenn, a new ordinance basically excludes builders from needing to install automatic sprinklers in single-family dwellings and mandates their inclusion in new commercial and multi-family dwellings.

SBCA gathers information on sprinkler issues from numerous sources, including the
National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA).

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