All U.S. model building codes now
require fire sprinklers as a standard feature in new homes.
Press Release
On September 21st, the International Code Council
(ICC) overwhelmingly passed two proposals to modify the
International Residential Code (IRC), requiring fire
sprinklers in all new homes at their final action hearing in
Minneapolis, MN. The first proposal,
RB66, added the requirement for fire sprinklers in
townhouses that fall within the scope of the IRC, and the
second proposal,
RB64, added the requirement for one- and two-family
dwellings, effective January 1, 2011.
Talking
Points & Discussion Guide:
Talking points and discussion guide on the results of
the Minneapolis Code Hearing and the impact on the future of
new home construction.
ICC Board of Directors Unanimously Upholds Residential
Sprinkler Requirements - 2009 International Residential
Code Will Require Fire Sprinklers
Press Release Coalition
Response to Appeal The International Code Council
(ICC) Board of Directors has voted unanimously to reject an
appeal by the National Association of Home Builders seeking
to remove residential fire sprinkler requirements from the
2009 edition of the International Residential Code (IRC).
This action, which follows a unanimous vote by the ICC
Appeals Board to reject the appeal, concludes ICC’s appeals
process and exhausts the final administrative option for
overturning the IRC sprinkler requirements prior to
publication of the 2009 edition.
"This is truly a great day in the history of fire safety,”
said Ronny Coleman, President of the IRC Fire Sprinkler
Coalition. “ICC has now officially affirmed
that the membership vote to require fire sprinklers in new
homes was in compliance with their bylaws and regulations
governing code development, and the unanimous vote by their
Board of Directors removes any shadow of doubt regarding the
legitimacy of the fire sprinkler requirement.”
NAHB’s appeal had asked ICC to set aside the
sprinkler requirement because of claimed procedural
irregularities, including an assertion that ICC’s bylaws do
not permit firefighters, particularly volunteer
firefighters, to vote in the ICC process. With the
appeal rejected, ICC will now proceed with publication of
the 2009 IRC, which serves as the basis of regulation for
new home construction in 48 states plus the District of
Columbia. The new code will require fire sprinklers in
all new townhouses, effective immediately upon adoption, and
in all new one- and two-family dwellings, effective January
1, 2011.
