Legislation puts adoption of sprinkler provisions at risk
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While we are making headway in our efforts to get local governments to mandate the installation of residential sprinklers in all new one- and two-family homes, sprinkler opponents are pushing legislation that would restrict a community’s ability to make its own decision about model safety codes for new construction. These bills would prevent communities from implementing any new sprinkler mandates in one- and two-family homes, and if they become law, the lives of our friends, families, and communities will be at risk.
We need your help to make sure these bills do not pass. Use the resources in the sidebar to help your elected officials know that you do not support any statewide effort to prevent requirements for home fire sprinklers. Please register with our site to stay updated on the latest information and new materials.
- States that have adopted sprinkler requirements
- States where anti-sprinkler legislation has been filed (2010)
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States that have adopted sprinkler requirements
California
The California Building Standards Commission voted to adopt the 2009 International Residential Code, including its requirements for automatic fire sprinkler systems in new one- and two- family dwellings, effective date January 1, 2011.
Maryland
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development has completed its adoption process of the 2009 IRC with a January 1, 2011 effective date.
New Hampshire
The New Hampshire State Code Review Board voted to adopt the 2009 International Residential Code, including its requirements for automatic fire sprinkler systems in new one- and two- family dwellings. Effective April 1, 2012.
New Jersey
The New Jersey Uniform Construction Code Advisory Board (CAB) voted unanimously to adopt the 2009 IRC with an effective date of January 1, 2012.
Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Independent Regulatory Review Commission voted unanimously to adopt the 2009 IRC and will require the installation of automatic sprinkler systems in all newly constructed townhouses effective January 1, 2010, and in all new one- and two family homes effective January 1, 2011.
South Carolina
The SC Building Code Council voted to adopt the 2009 IRC with an effective date of January 1, 2011.
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States where anti-sprinkler legislation has been filed (2010)
Alaska
SB129: Companion bill HB 202. Prohibits any municipality from requiring fire sprinklers in one- and two-family homes.
Update: HB202 amended to require public hearings before a municipality can adopt home fire sprinkler requirements. Bill died without action in House and Senate.
Contact the Alaska House and Senate.
Alabama
HB264: Prohibits any entity from requiring fire sprinklers in one- and two-family homes.
Update: Amended to remove Code Board's "advisory status" to "sole authority" with regards to adoption, implementation, and revision of the code. Committee substitute for HB264 adopts the 2006 edition of the IRC and prohibits communities from adopting home fire sprinkler requirements. Passed and signed by governor.
HB97: Companion bill SB125. Fire protection sprinkler systems, not required in single-story buildings meeting certain requirements. Died in committee.
Contact the Alabama House and Senate.
Arkansas
HB1839: Prohibits requirement in one and two family homes.
Update: Died without passage.
Contact the Arkansas House and Senate.
Florida
SB846: Prohibits inclusion of one- and two-family sprinkler provisions in building code.
HB7095: Companion bill.
Update: Passed and signed by governor.
Contact the Florida House and Senate.
Georgia
HB 1196: Prohibits inclusion of one- and two-family sprinkler provisions in building code.
Update: Passed and signed by governor.
Contact the Georgia House and Senate.
Idaho
S1299: Excludes inclusion of one- and two-family sprinkler provisions from building code (pg. 14, line 42-48)
Update: Passed and signed by governor.
Contact the Idaho House and Senate.
Iowa
SF 2051: House companion bill HF2108 and HF2062. HF 2508 replaced HF 2062 on Feb. 22 and is amended to allow "opt in" by local communities. Died in committee.
Update: Language prohibiting home fire sprinkler provisions included in HF2531. Concurrent resolution nullifies the home fire sprinkler requirement from the administrative rules but SFM/CBO and local jurisdictions retain authority to promulgate home fire sprinkler requirement.
Contact the Iowa House and Senate.
Kansas
HB2515: Prohibits locals from adopting residential sprinkler provisions.
Update: Failed House vote.
SB573: Introduced on 3/11. Died in committee. Reintroduced as amendment attached to HB2472. Conference committee amended the bill to place a moratorium on the requirement until July 1, 2011 and established a task force to explore issue and report back to the legislature by July 1, 2011.
Contact the Kansas House and Senate.
Lousiana
House Concurrent Resolution #145 requests the state fire marshal to study and report the feasibility of requiring sprinkler systems in residential homes.
HB206: HB206 prohibits adoption of fire sprinklers in one-and two-family dwellings.
Update: Passed and sent to governor.
Contact the Louisiana House and Senate.
Mississippi
SB2079: Prohibits municipalities from adopting fire sprinkler requirements in one- and two-family homes. Died in committee.
Contact the Mississippi House and Senate.
Nebraska
LB949: Removes the home fire sprinkler provision from the 2009 IRC. Prohibits any jurisdiction from requiring fire sprinklers in one- and two-family homes and townhomes. Died in committee.
Update: LR384 referred matter to implementation study.
Contact the Nebraska Senate.
New Hampshire
HB1191, HB1486: Both bills prohibit the fire code from requiring the installation of fire sprinkler systems in single or multi-family dwellings. HB1486 passed by House with amendment. HB1191 referred to interim study.
Update: HB1486 passed by full House and Senate with amendment establishing committee to study municipal requirements.
Contact the New Hampshire House and Senate.
Pennsylvania
SB1001
Update: Adopted January 1, 2011. Pending legal action. PA Builders injunction denied. Pending commitee action.
HB1809: HB1809 and companion SB1001 prohibit inclusion of home fire sprinkler requirement if the home is located within 5 miles of fire station or not connected to a reliable municipal water supply.
HB1808: Prohibits adoption of the 2009 IRC. Pending commitee action.
Contact the Pennsylvania House and Senate.
South Carolina
HB4663: Passed as amended by Senate to maintain requirement in the code but postpones implementation to Jan. 1, 2014. Passed. Signed by Governor.
South Dakota
HB1216: Companion bill SB68. Prohibits local jurisdictions from mandating fire sprinklers in single family homes.
Update: Passed House and Senate; Signed by governor.
Contact the South Dakota House and Senate.
Tennessee
SB3220: Companion Bill HB3434. Requires adoption of the 2006 International Building Code that does not include fire sprinkler requirements for one- and two-family homes. Pending committee action.
Utah
HB0045: Deletes fire sprinkler requirements from the code.
Update: Final version allows local amendments to require home fire sprinklers when certain conditions are met (Pg. 70, Lines 1948-1973). Signed by governor.
Contact the Utah House and Senate.