ICC hearings threaten home sprinkler provision

NFPA urges advocates to take action

At next month’s ICC code development hearings in Baltimore, home fire sprinkler opponents will be pushing to remove requirements for residential fire sprinklers for new one- and two-family homes from the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC).

Several anti-sprinkler proposals have been submitted to the ICC. See pages 96-100 of proposed changes to ICC documents, as well as NFPA’s comments on these proposals (PDF, 58 KB). 

Some sprinkler opponents are spreading misinformation about the need, cost, and effectiveness of this life-saving technology. The fact is that home fire sprinklers save lives and protect property from destruction by responding quickly and effectively to the presence of a nearby fire. In fact, the risk of dying decreases by about 80% when sprinklers are present. Sprinklers also reduce the average property loss by about 71% per fire.

Get involved
If you’re an ICC member, please make plans to attend the hearings in Baltimore and vote “NO” on the anti-sprinkler proposals. There is no cost for ICC members to attend the hearings, but pre-registration is required.

Note that individuals who are “individual” members of ICC will be allowed to vote at the hearings. ICC membership information.