ICC 2008 Code Hearings

ICC 2008 Code Hearings

Thank You
On behalf of the IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition, which represents the interest of more than 100 regional, national and international public safety organizations, I would like to express our appreciation to the many ICC voting governmental members who attended the final action hearing in Minnesota to champion the cause of residential sprinklers. These individuals took time from their personal schedules over the weekend to participate in this historic event, demonstrating unprecedented commitment to protecting American families from residential fires. -- Ronny J. Coleman, President

Summary: The International Code Council conducted two code hearings in 2008, one was held in February in Palm Springs, California and the second was held September 17-22 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Final Action Hearing in Minneapolis is where residential sprinkler issues were decided. In Minneapolis, voting governmental members of ICC supported changing the IRC to require fire sprinklers in new homes, making a historic contribution to fire safety that directly addresses the root of America's fire problem, dwelling fires.

The IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition's residential sprinkler proposals were on the agenda as Items RB64-07/08 and RP3-07/08. RB64, which was passed by an overwhelming majority, makes the residential sprinkler requirement part of the 2009 edition of the IRC with an effective date of January 1, 2011. RP3, which was approved as part of the consent agenda without any opposition, adds a simple prescriptive methodology for handling hydraulic design for home fire sprinkler systems.

An additional item that was approved related to residential fire sprinklers is Item RB66, which adds a requirement for all townhouses to be equipped with fire sprinklers to the 2009 IRC, while providing an incentive permitting the separation wall between units to be reduced from a 2-hour fire rating to a 1-hour fire rating.