On September 21, 2008 the International Code Council (ICC) adopted amendment RB64-07/08 to the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC). This amendment mandates that beginning January 1, 2011 all new one and two family residential dwellings along with townhomes be equipped with fire sprinklers.
First and foremost, I have to admit that I’m a passionate fire and life safety guy who believes these changes are long overdue. The fact of the matter is that the fire losses in the United States are staggering in terms of the lives and property we lose each year. Because the losses occur in one’s and two’s every day, rather than a few catastrophic events each month, they go largely ignored by the national media and under the radar of most Americans. Over a decade ago I heard a keynote speaker address a sprinkler trade association’s annual convention where he noted that the national yearly losses caused by fires in single family dwellings alone is the same number of people we would lose if two 747 jet airliners collided over the U.S. every month. He asked rhetorically if we thought there would be a change in the way flights were scheduled or flown if that actually happened twice in a year, let alone every month for years. You could have heard a pin drop.
In my twenty plus years lobbying for and promoting fire sprinkler installations, I’ve heard opponents talk about the cost versus the benefit and focus on the fact that today’s construction is safer than older homes with more electrical outlets and better circuit breakers, etc. Let’s be clear and factual, the three greatest causes of fires in the home are men, women and children. Yes, there are electrical fires and they account for about 15% of fire ignition sources according to statistics. However, unattended candles, smoking materials and cooking equipment account for the lion’s share of ignition sources; In other words people driven, not mechanical.
At some point along the way, society accepted the fact that we were going to wear a seat belt while driving our cars. Many of us hated that and some people still don’t buckle up today. 
Regardless, our laws caught up with the financial reality that way too many people were dying or injured beyond where they would be had they just buckled up. The cost was too great not to impose this new law in the face of proven factual data. There can be no mistake that we are at the same point with residential fire sprinklers and all of the fighting, legal wrangling and attempts to roll-back the codes to avoid accepting the inevitability of this new mandate are ridiculous. Fifty years from now, no one will want to live in a home without fire sprinklers.
Pennsylvania has been a leader in this effort, becoming one of the first states to adopt the 2009 IRC, which includes the residential fire sprinkler requirements that will take effect January 1, 2011. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the Pennsylvania Builders Association (PBA) have made several attempts to block the sprinkler requirement. When voted on by the Uniform Construction Code (UCC) Review and Advisory Council the sprinkler requirements were upheld. Further legislative attempts by NAHB and PBA have been denied. The latest attempt is PBA’s filing of an application for summary relief which will be heard during a June session. Despite these attempts, the 2009 IRC is in effect today in Pennsylvania and the residential fire sprinkler requirement is scheduled to take effect January 1, 2011.
Realistically, we should expect the majority of these systems to be plumbing systems as opposed to stand alone fire sprinkler systems in the traditional sense of the term. 
By that I mean that many piping systems will be multipurpose piping systems supplying water to plumbing fixtures and fire sprinkler nozzles, through a shared plumbing system. As such, the work is more likely to be performed by the residential plumbing contractor than a stand-alone fire sprinkler contractor.
With the current state of our economy and the market conditions, most plumbers will be happy to accept the challenges and opportunities this new legislation brings to their doorsteps. But, what is it they say about no free lunches? Business related considerations such as licensing and insurance must be addressed and proper training must be obtained to ensure this work is performed correctly. Fire Smarts and Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors (PHCC) association are working together to deliver training programs geared to take experienced plumbers and add the skill set for residential fire sprinkler installation. As you consider this opportunity for your business invest in training to understand these systems and the codes that govern them. While these systems are pipe and fittings, there life safety application includes requirements and liability beyond typical domestic plumbing.
Bob Caputo is a Fire Smarts Faculty member with more than 25 years experience in the fire protection community. He has been an instructor since 1989, teaching seminars for NFPA and the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA). He holds a Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS) designation, fire sprinkler contracting licenses in multiple states, and serves on the NFPA 13 Installation and NFPA 25 Committees.
Fire Sprinklers
Fire Sprinklers August 12, 2010 at 5:35 am
Firstly, I have to say that I am glad that another state has taken up this most sensible legislation and it is definitely a step in the right direction.
However, I don’t think comparing the installation of fire sprinklers can be compared to the law making the wearing of a seat-belt mandatory! The only person that you would hurt by not wearing a seat-belt is yourself and it should be your choice!
Fire sprinklers save lives and thousands of dollars in property damage so the initial cost is far outweighed by the long-term benefits.
Bob Caputo
Bob Caputo August 13, 2010 at 12:56 pm
As a committed Libertarian appreciate the perspective of personal choice however as it applies to building codes, I disagree. You don’t have a choice about the fire rating of the drywall or the gauge thickness of the wiring or electrical components installed. The general public has the belief they are protected by the adopted codes and safe practices required by law.
Sprinkler requirements do parallel seatbelt requirements in terms of the linear development of safe practices in the built environment. You do hurt more than yourself with seatbelt choices because of the cost factors associated with your medical care (the helmet law argument)
Terry
Terry August 25, 2010 at 1:20 pm
Will the phcc be doing any more seminars on the residential fire sprinkler 13D requirements, Iam very interested in the looped pex multipurpose system,Iam in california and the new codes have already started a big buzz here.We are a plumbing company and a licensed C16 fire protection company.I see the looped / pex system having a real edge on a stand alone cpvc system.
Bob Caputo
Bob Caputo August 25, 2010 at 3:17 pm
Terry,
as far as I know, the PHCC and Fire Smarts will be offering additional training dates in partnership. I suggest you visit the Fire Smarts website and contact Ryan Smith to confirm dates or set one up. I’ll bet we could find as many people who see the multi purpose system as the better option as others who see stand alone CPVC as the best choice. Me – all I care about is getting sprinklers into homes and having the work done properly. Its all about fire & life safety.
Chris
Chris September 12, 2010 at 6:29 pm
Hey Bob,
Though I agree with your sentiment about having sprinklers installed being the most important, an inoperative system is just as bad(if not worse) than none at all. The only caveat I really see to the multi-purpose system is what happens after the fact. Bucket test is a go, keys get turned over to the homeowner and they install a water softener. Oops! Now we aren’t back to square one, we are behind the eight ball and you know as well as anyone, that good news doesn’t get published, It would make headlines if a sprinklered home burned to the ground regardless of how many successful saves have occurred previously. If we could somehow oversize the system for future add-ons, that would be great. But until we figure out a way of addressing this, I am an advocate for CPVC stand alone systems.
-Chris
Fred
Fred October 4, 2010 at 7:51 pm
Is this ruling to be included as an amendment to the PA Uniform Construction Code Statute ?
Where can I find the Pennsylvania statute that upholds this ruling ?
– Fred
George Church
George Church October 5, 2010 at 5:30 am
Fred, it’s NOT an amendment, its part of the UCC adopted back in Dec 2009. The decision will list the statute.
Frank
Frank October 8, 2010 at 8:05 pm
As a homeowner, I do not want the government forcing me to purchase a sprinkler system. We have always been safe and sound in our home without one for my 68 years of life.
This is an outrage to make me and my family pay almost $12,000 for a sprinkler system.
This hurts the homeowner, who is largely middleclass. Again the middle class gets the short end of the stick.
We need to say no to this outrage! Fireman are overboard! Back off and let me decide whats best for me!
David
David October 8, 2010 at 8:08 pm
I agree with the other comment. This should be left up to the homeowner.
This is not the needed, we all have done well so far without it.
I do realize this is additonal safety, but its overkill and the bad outweighs the good in this case.
Not to mention the estimate of $2.00 per sq/ft for a system is way to low. Try more like $3.50 a sq/ft and if you have a basement that needs sprinklers to!
A 3000 sq/ft home will be apx $12,000 to install a sprinkler system into. THAT IS AN OUTRAGE!!! FAR MORE THAN COST OF A CUP OF COFFEE!!!
Mike
Mike October 17, 2010 at 2:09 pm
Wow. I tried to think how much money my wife and kids’ lives are worth. I peg it at somewhat more than $12,000. I am putting a system into the home I am remodeling, and will count that money as well spent.
Every dime.
Enjoy your coffee, David.
brian
brian December 2, 2010 at 7:34 am
more goverment regulations and more money for bobs pocket from the working people of pa.
mark
mark December 7, 2010 at 5:20 pm
What are the specifics for qualifying for a grandfather waiver for the residential sprinklering requirement? Is it necessary to show a contract dated before January 1,2010?
John
John December 8, 2010 at 7:47 pm
Sprinkler systems? Bad Idea, if I build in the country and have a well, am I going to need a supply of water elevated and heated throughout the winter, who thinks of these things? By the way, I just purchased land and planned to build, but these new codes are only hurting the builders and home owners. Statistics, 300 million people in the U.S., how many die by fire in new construction?????? Old wiring, yes, wood stoves and chimney fires , yes. Give the public a break.
Steven
Steven December 11, 2010 at 10:06 pm
John,
I would really recommend that you take part in the webinar being presented on Tuesday, December 14th. We will be talking about acceptable water supplies including wells. If you do intend on using a well as your source for domestic supply, then you will have a pump…which can be used for the sprinkler system as well. There are several locations for more information about the residential fire problem… The most reliable is NFPA.org. By the way…you ever is getting quotes that are more than $2/sf you need to shop around a bit more.
Terry Knaub
Terry Knaub December 16, 2010 at 6:55 pm
I plan on builing a log home and don`t really want to be able to see pipes runing accross my beautiful exposed wooden beams. Yes we wear seatbelts, our cars come with them, standard. I was quoted by two companies; both tell me $10,000 to $15,000 for a sprinkler system in my house. I will be on a well. That puts me over budget and now I will have to wait another year to build. If you told me seatbelts cost an additional $2,000 I might not have them in my car. I think too many kids are bumping their heads on playgrounds, should we outlaw playgrounds or make them wear helmets and pads to play? And then there is the motorcycle helmet deal. Why don’t you have to wear helmets, that is very unsafe? I just don`t get the logic. It just sounds to me like another ploy to take money out of the working mans pocket; someone higher up is getting rich off of this deal. Should I just buy an old house instead of building? How many old houses exist in PA? They could all kill people, so we better put sprinklers in them. You cant protect everyone all the time, not everyone wants to be protected. If we could keep all accidental deaths from occuring, we would have a serious over population problem. Please do us all a favor and STOP NOW! It`s been argued that the builders don`t want it to cut into their profits, They don`t care, They will just pass that expense along to the consumer.
Terry Knaub
Terry Knaub December 18, 2010 at 10:15 am
Another thought: 1836 people died during Hurricane Katrina. The government should not allow it`s people to live in coastal areas because it is very dangerous to do so. Maybe they should have laws mandating life boats for every household. Skyscrapers should be outlawed because when the Trade Towers collapsed, 2595 died. Where do we stop? At some point, we have to be responsible for our own lives. Also, when it comes to building materials, there are just too many variables with no exceptions. Suppose I plan on building a house constructed entirely of concrete? It should be an exception due to the fact that it is not built with the new age light weight flammable materials used as a justifacation by the supporters. My log home will not have the new age light weight materials, it will be all wood and stone. There just has to be exceptions. I would like to see the results of all the studies done. I bet that it`s a fact that most fires start slow, and smoldering creates lots of smoke and you would probably die from smoke inhalation before the fire gets hot enough to even set the sprinkler system off. You’re dead but the insurance companies won`t have to pay out much for damages. I would bet the insurance companies play a big part in the addoption of this B.S. law. I vote for every man for himself. Stop telling us how to live, what to eat, and how much to pay to keep my family safe.
Randy D
Randy D December 18, 2010 at 1:35 pm
Bob,
I have heard new homes will be required to have sprinkler systems and then an hour later heard that is not the case. Has it been made official that a sprinkler system will have to be in place for all new homes beginning Jan 2011?
Thank you
Bob Caputo
Bob Caputo December 20, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Holy smoke… what great responses and insightful thoughts posted here. For the record, I am NOT a fire sprinkler contractor in PA nor am I active in either design services or contracting in any state in this nation of laws. Building codes are what makes us different from the damages and death we see when an earthquake hits a place like Haiti. I live in San Diego County which had a stronger earthquake than Haiti’s this past Easter Sunday but you may not have seen it on the news since NO ONE died and no buildings were destroyed. Building Codes. No, we can’t fix everything. People die and will continue to do so. I am an educator in the field of fire and life safety and it’s my responsibility to find ways to limit loss of property and life from fire. Fire sprinklers do this better than anything else. I support the rights of people to make up their own minds when it comes to personal choice but somewhere, someone decided we needed seatbelts, motorcycle helmets, speed limits, penal and building codes – and yeah, fire codes that will cost a bit more to build homes and businesses. The choice would be more personal if you didn’t expect the civil authority to send a fire truck to your home to put out the fire or transport your injured family members to a hospital for treatment – whether or not you can afford it by the way.
So, for those of you who want to kill the messenger – this isn’t ancient Rome. Fire sprinklers save lives and property. I hope you never have to see it any other way. Merry Christmas and best wishes for a fire safe 2011.
Bob Caputo
Terry Knaub
Terry Knaub December 21, 2010 at 4:24 pm
In the state of Pennsylvania, motorcycle helmets are not required.
Bob Caputo
Bob Caputo December 22, 2010 at 12:12 am
Lucky! CA requires helmets… and residential fire sprinklers. Now everyone will want to live here.
Terry Knaub
Terry Knaub December 23, 2010 at 7:43 pm
Yeah I always wear a helmet anyway but I hope the fire sprinkler requirements go away like the helmet law did in PA. I`m all for freedom of choice. Happy holidays to all.
Scott
Scott December 30, 2010 at 9:25 pm
This site is yet another disgusting display of self-interested lobbyists convincing ignorant government officials to continue to abuse it’s citizens with mandates about which they know nothing. Just look at all the comments “how can i become a certified installer” on here. The sharks are smelling blood in the water and a feeding frenzy is ensuing. Look out Joe Public, you’re about to get screwed again!
Curt Mellott
Curt Mellott January 4, 2011 at 7:59 am
I work in an industry that serves insurance companies. The agents I speak to feel a need to know more about the impact, both positive and negative, the new sprinkler law will have in PA. Does anyone have a suggestion on who I can talk to in central PA that might lead a discussion along those lines? Thanks
Terry Knaub
Terry Knaub January 4, 2011 at 4:44 pm
I would love to, however I only know the impact it has on my middle class family trying to fulfill the dream of building a new home.
chad
chad January 24, 2011 at 2:23 pm
i just purchased a house in nw penna after gutting the house out and finding mold mildew and termite damage the house needs to be torn down the cost of the sprinkler system is holding me back from being able to build a new house. 1st of all i would like to say that i think that penna should back off and let california inforce this code and lets see what happens before we adopt it. what are the costs gonna be due to water damage compared to fire damage. the two leading causes of death in the us are alcohol related accidents and cancer but alcohol and smoking is still legal wheres the justice to begin and end.. i valu the life of my family and i know i can’t protect them all the time so i do what i can. the subject was brought up earlier about the causes of fire being smoking, stoves chimmney fires wood stoves, i would have to say 90% of smoking related fires are from people under the consumption of alcohol.. i guess my point is that if the newer codes are being inforced on electrical, mechanical,chimmneys and flame retardant materils we will be already saving lives and the sprinklers should be up to the home owners
Heywood
Heywood January 27, 2011 at 11:51 am
Well guess what? Now the Pa Uniform Construction Code Review Committee is recomending that the state adopt Appendix F of the 2009 IRC that requires radom mitigation systems in all new homes!
It never ends!
Joe
Joe February 7, 2011 at 2:04 pm
How often do these have a “false alarm”? Is there statistics to show the reliabilty? How is your insurance company going to react to them being there? The house will be a total loss whether it burns or not since the water damage will be extensive. Will you run the risk of your insurance dropping you, if one of these things freezes and soaks your house down in the middle of -10 degree weather? Typically there is no heat in the attic of a house and water freezes. I realize the benefits for those that fight the fires, but the families safety with the modern smoke detectors that are linked together, alerting the family of fire is going to happen. I have been quoted by a builder at $3 sq ft. I can see this affecting home building…
Mike
Mike February 9, 2011 at 8:53 am
Seeing as how this is America, everyone is entitled to have their own opinion on things. I just wish, however, that people would learn both sides of a subject before they form their opinions. I have read tons of comments that are just riddled with misconceptions and assumptions about sprinklers. The cost is nowhere near the $3 a square foot amount people are spouting. I CHOSE to install a stand-alone sprinkler system in my new 1600 sq. ft. house, and the cost to do the sprinklers was $3400 including the basement (so, 3200 square feet total sprinklered area). Because we have a well, it cost an additional $1800 for a pump and water tank to be installed. Total cost-$5200 or $1.62 per square foot of sprinklered area even by installing the more expensive type of sprinkler system and having to install a pump and tank.
You do not have to replace the sprinkler heads every 2 years in residential sprinklers. No outside inspection is required on the system, either. All you need to do is turn a valve every year and make sure that water flows. Simple. Any homeowner can do it.
Your insurance company will view sprinklers in a favorable light. Mine knocked about 40% of my homeowner’s policy.
A sprinker uses less than 20% of the typical amount of water that a fire department uses to extinguish a blaze. And, no, not all the sprinklers go off at once. They activate only if the temperature at the sprinkler head reaches about 165 degrees. Smoke does not activate the sprinklers. If you have a broken sprinkler (accidental activation) from striking it, you can simply go and turn the valve off to the system. If your attic is unheated, sprinkler piping is not installed there. Your house will have sidewall sprinklers in the top living floor.
I don’t know if that covers all the misinformation I’ve read here, but it’s a start. If you don’t like the fact that you have to put in sprinklers, you’re entitled to that opinion. I disagree with you, but that’s OK. Just learn both sides before you make up your mind.
Dave Lentz
Dave Lentz February 11, 2011 at 8:20 pm
I don’t care how passionate you are about saving lives. This is nanny state government intrusion on the private sector at it’s worst. Cloaked in “good intentions”, this law will be rife with unintended and secretly intended consequences, including suppressing new home construction and killing jobs, and of course lining the pockets of bureaucrats, and union thugs. It is the obligation of the individual to provide for his own safety, and weigh the risks, costs, and benefits. LET THE MARKET DECIDE. This is no place for pinhead politicians and nosy nanny state nitwits. Get out of my face and out of my pocket!
Thomas R. Frederick
Thomas R. Frederick February 15, 2011 at 5:43 pm
Do all single family residential dwellings require a sprinkler installation? Does it matter whether the dwelling has a basement or is built on slab? Does it matter if the dwelling is stick built, manufactured or modular?
mike rinhart
mike rinhart February 27, 2011 at 3:12 pm
How many times have you had a water leak in your home verses how many times have you had a fire? Now put those pipes in your unheated attic. What a crock.Guess what? Not only is your average home going up ~$12k but your insurance is going up too because of the increase in chances of water leaks!!! Hey let’s also install early warning systems for meteor strikes and locust attacks.
Bob K.
Bob K. March 16, 2011 at 4:13 pm
Mr. Caputo,
I hope you have a sprinkler system in your home or dwelling.
Steve
Steve October 5, 2012 at 12:06 pm
I am cosidering building a home and have recently learned of this sprinkler system law. I think that we the people should have the right to decide the outcome of this law!! Being forced to do somyhing i do not want to do, is UNAMERICAN!!! California is the worst state in the country!!! It should just break off and fall into the ocean! They have more disasters than any state. Just because they have wildfires and they need sprinklers, does not mean PA. should adopt that law!! This state copies off of CA. for everything and i am sick of it. We know how to take care of ourselves here in PA!! I dont need some movie star, or hippie, or tree hugger to tell me how to live! And what is best for my family!
Steve
Steve October 5, 2012 at 12:30 pm
Seems to me that this generation, HAS FORGOTTEN WHAT FREEDOM OF CHOICE IS ALL ABOUT!!! I have 4 fire extinguesher’s, Smoke detectors throughout the home!! I live next to a fire department!! A Fire hydrant in front of my house!! Flame retardent curtains! WTF? I have to pay bookoo bucks now for a sprinkler system? Give me a break people! Who comes up with this crap! Our legislaters need to clean the cobb webs out of they’re… and think of some good ways to help the people instead of burden them with BS laws like this one! We have enough saftey standards to deal with!!! And the insurance companies are all laughing to the bank!! Ive heard of the lie that sprinklers will reduce my ins rate:) OK sure blow smoke up my …… I’am used to it! I’ve been lied to since I was born! I cant wipe my .. without a permit to do so!! Maybe we all should just move into a bubble!!! No wonder the rest of the world thinks we are weak and a bunch of whimp’s.
Steve
Steve October 5, 2012 at 1:09 pm
Anyone on here have any water pressure surges? U know like when the water co. shuts water off to fix a main? I bet u will find out, when u have a sprinkler system installed!! Hope you have a rain coat!! I wonder how many politicians have a sprinkler system in their homes? I can’t believe that this is even a reality! This guy on hear bragging about his 1600 sq/ft home,and how cheap his sprinkler system was!! Dude you have issues!! I guess it was pretty cheap for a small home butkiss!! If i build my new house can i use a woodstove for heat in the basement with a sprinkler system? MMM probebly not!! I wonder if the smoke and water damage, would be better than the fire damage? So how would the ins. companies file this one? Would probebly be the same if it just burned down right? All of our ancestors never used sprinklers and they have been playing with fire since mmmm 10,000 bc i think? U know being that i only have four members of family living in my home iam sure the sprinklers will buy us more time to evacuate the premises!!! Hope we can immobilize in single formation in the yard fast enough!!! Hope we dont trample one another!! My cat will probebly drown!! I hope they make kitty cat life rafts, that come with the new system!! “OH” I Am sure that CA. has kitty life jackets!! LOL I’M outta here!!