Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Planning & Development Services

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	Barry Walthall, Building Codes Administrator
CC:	Scott McCullough, Planning & Development Services Director Mark Bradford, Fire Chief
Date:	October 21, 2008
RE:	Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems

The International Code Council (ICC) held final action hearings for the 2009 set of ICC building codes in September, 2008 in Minneapolis, MN.  During the hearings new code proposals were approved by the ICC membership for inclusion in the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC), including requirements for residential fire sprinkler systems for all new one- and two-family dwellings.

The inclusion of residential fire sprinkler systems in the IRC has been somewhat controversial.  Proponents cite the obvious benefits of installing residential fire sprinkler systems; they provide effective life-safety protection and can save lives and reduce property loss.  Installation of fire sprinkler systems may also reduce insurance premiums.

Opponents of the provisions cite concerns of proper maintenance, freezing pipes in colder climates, accidental discharge of systems causing property damage, and added expense to the cost of housing.

Lawrence has currently adopted the 2006 set of ICC building codes, effective as of January 1, 2008.  These codes are updated every three years and staff expects to begin working with the codes boards (building, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) in 2009 to review the newer codes for possible adoption in 2010.  Timely adoption of the most current building codes is a recommendation of the Matrix Consultants report for improvement of the City’s development process.  Adopting revised codes on this timeline provides for periodic incremental changes compared to more major changes on a less periodic basis.

Staff expects that the Building Code Board of Appeals will complete a review of this section of the 2009 IRC and provide recommendations regarding adoption of these provisions.

Included below are web-links to news releases concerning the new codes, an article on the benefits of residential sprinkler systems, and a report on the costs of these systems.

Attachments:

ICC news release “Code Hearings Feature Major Issues, Dramatic Moments”:

http://www.iccsafe.org/news/nr/2008/1008Codes.html

International Association of Fire Chiefs news release “Victory! Residential Fire Sprinklers Proposal Approved Today at ICC Hearing”:

http://www.iafc.org/displayindustryarticle.cfm?articlenbr=37573

National Association of Home Builders news release “Fire Official Surge Sweeps Sprinkler Mandate to Victory”: http://www.nahb.org/news_details.aspx?sectionID=0&newsID=7874

National Fire Protection Agency article “Welcoming Sprinklers into the Home”:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3737/is_200507/ai_n14823548

The Fire Protection Research Foundation report “Fire Sprinkler Cost Assessment”:

http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files//PDF/Research/FireSprinklerCostAssessment.pdf