Model language

Installing automatic fire sprinklers in homes is one of the most effective ways to protect residents from death, injury, and property loss due to home fires. While public education efforts have resulted in some homeowners voluntarily installing home fire sprinklers, it is still vital to the safety of your community to mandate sprinkler systems for all new one- and two-family homes.

There are several options available to municipalities that want to adopt requirements for fire sprinklers in one- and two-family homes.

Embed model langauge in an existing code
Here are three ways you can include language in an existing municipal code:

  1. Use a stand-alone reference in your municipal code that mandates fire sprinklers for new homes
  3. Reference the 2009 edition of the International Residential Code®

For example, following is language from NFPA 101® that can be inserted into your existing municipal code:

24.3.5.1
All new one-and two-family dwellings shall be protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 24.3.5.2.

24.3.5.2
Where an automatic sprinkler system is installed, either for total or partial building coverage, the system shall be in accordance with Section 9.7; in buildings of four or fewer stories in height above grade plane, systems in accordance with NFPA 13R, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Residential Occupancies up to and Including Four Stories in Height, and with NFPA 13D, Standard for the installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes, shall also be permitted.

Stand-alone model ordinance/statute
Use this "fill-in-the-blank" model langauge to introduce a new ordinance in your municipality:

Download a copy of this model ordinance (doc, 57 KB)

(NAME OF CITY, COUNTY, STATE)
ORDINANCE/STATUTE NUMBER _______

AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO REQUIRING INTERIOR AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW ONE- AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF (NAME OF JURISDICTION).

WHEREAS, the (AUTHORITY/JURISDICTION) is concerned with the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens; and

WHEREAS, (AUTHORITY/JURISDICTION) is concerned with the need to assist in the providing of fire protection to its citizens and property, and of protecting the safety of those firefighters who respond to emergencies in our (NAME OF JURISDICTION), and now, therefore, 

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE (NAME OF JURISDICTION):

1. New Building Construction

For the purpose of this Ordinance/Statute, the term "building" shall mean any structure having a roof supported by columns or walls and intended for the shelter, storage, housing use, or enclosure of people.

An Approved Automatic Sprinkler System shall be installed in all areas of all new dwellings in accordance with the most recent edition of NFPA 13D, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes, published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

2. Definitions

a.  "An Approved Automatic Sprinkler System" means a system installed in accordance with National Fire Protection Association Standards.

b. "Building" means any structure having a roof supported by columns or walls and intended for the shelter, housing, use or enclosure of people.


3. Additional Requirements

Plans for an Approved Automatic Sprinkler System shall be certified engineered plans and shall be subject to a plans review fee of (insert fee).


4.        Fire Inspection

The (NAME OF THE OFFICE OF THE AUTHORITY HAVING JURISDICTION) or his/her designee and/or the Code Enforcement Officer of the (NAME OF THE JURISDICTION) or his/her designee shall provide an initial inspection of the automatic sprinkler system.  This inspection shall not guarantee proper installation of said system, but will insure that the system exists.  This inspection shall also afford the property owner a safety inspection to provide proactive planning for fire prevention.

All Automatic Sprinkler Systems and appurtenances shall be installed, tested, inspected, and maintained in accordance with NFPA Standards.

5. Enforcement

Any person, firm or corporation being the owner or having control or use of any building or premises who violates any of the provisions of this ordinance, shall be guilty of a Civil Offense and shall be fined not in excess of (insert fee) for each offense. Each day such violation is permitted to exist after notification shall constitute a separate offense.

When any violation of any provision of this ordinance shall be found to exist, the Code Enforcement Officer of the (NAME OF THE JURISDICTION), or his/her designee, is hereby authorized and directed to institute any and all actions and proceedings either legal or equitable, that may be appropriate or necessary to enforce the provisions of this ordinance in the name of the (NAME OF THE JURISDICTION), including but not limited to the issuance of a "stop work" order to aid in the enforcement of any of the provisions of this ordinance.

6.        Authority and Purpose

This ordinance is adopted pursuant to and all applicable laws of the (NAME OF THE JURISDICTION).

7.        Severability

If any section, sentence, clause or phrase of this resolution should be held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of any other section, sentence, clause, or phrase of this resolution.

8. Effective Date

This statute/ordinance shall be effective upon its final passage and publication as required by law.


Introduced: (DATE)

Date of Passage: ____________________________

________________________________
(SIGNATURE OF AHJ)

ATTEST:

____________________________
(SIGNATURE)