The NAHB federation is currently engaged in a coast to coast campaign to defeat the new IRC code requiring fire sprinkler systems to be installed in all new one- and two-family homes in the U.S., starting in 2011.

The code is in the process of being adopted at state and/or local jurisdictional levels across the country.

The Michigan Home Builders Association recently claimed a well deserved victory when on July 22,  the Michigan Residential Code Review committee voted 10 to 2 to approve the code change proposal offered by Habitat for Humanity of Michigan to remove R313 from Michigan’s 2009 residential code. 
 
Besides Habitat for Humanity of Michigan, the coalition against sprinklers included, among others, the Michigan Municipal League, the Michigan Association of Counties, the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan, and a plethora of local government officials including building inspectors and even two fire service personnel. 

"This does not mean the battle is over. There will still be a public hearing on all of the code changes in the fall and the final decisions will be made by the director of the department.  However it will be very difficult politically to overturn this vote" said Lee Schwartz, Executive Vice President for Government Relations at MHBA.

NAHB staff have been attempting to  track and provide updates on the status of the state and local efforts of our members as it pertains to the residential sprinkler issue through the introduction and approval of the various legislative campaigns.

Staff has been asked  to provide additional information to be shared on our Fire Sprinkler Action Kit,  as it relates to the code adoption process at the state level. Specifically, we are looking to find out which states have begun the review process of the 2009 International Residential Code and which states have proposed amendments that would exclude or modify the provisions that would mandate residential fire sprinklers in one- and two- family dwellings.

If your state is currently in the process of reviewing the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC), please email Steve Orlowski  Sorlowski@NAHB.com with the following information.

• What stage in the adoption/review process is your state?
• Were any amendments submitted to remove or modify the mandatory requirements for residential sprinklers from the 2009 IRC? If so, did the review committee approve the amendment (s)?
• When is the state expected to formally adopt the 2009 IRC?
• When will the state begin enforcement of the 2009 IRC?

For more information, contact Steve Orlowski at 800-368-5242 x8303. [ return to top ]