Victory in Baltimore – ICC upholds residential sprinkler requirements
By Member David Lewis
October 30, 2009
On October 28, 2009, the International Code Council (ICC) held hearings in Baltimore on proposed revision of the International Residential Code (IRC). The IRC is used by many states (including Maryland) as the model building code for residential dwellings.
In 2008, the ICC adopted provisions to the IRC that would require that residential sprinkler systems be installed in all new one and two family dwellings constructed after January 1, 2011. The National Association of Home Builders opposed the provisions but was outvoted by representatives of the fire service who came to Minneapolis in support of residential sprinkler requirements. Over 70 representatives of Maryland's emergency services attended those meetings in Minneapolis.
This year, the meetings were held in Baltimore as the code cycle moves towards the 2012 edition of the IRC. The home builders mounted an attack on the residential sprinkler requirements and submitted four provisions which would remove the requirements that were adopted by the ICC just last year. But once again, the fire service spoke loudly and led the movement for the disapproval of the home builders' proposals.
The representatives of the fire service waited patiently throughout the day as other IRC proposals were heard. At one point, the hearing room became so overcrowded that the meeting had to be called for a break while the chairs were reconfigured to comply with fire safety regulations. When the meetings resumed, the proposals against residential sprinklers were finally heard. The home builders had submitted four proposals to remove residential sprinklers, two were withdrawn and the other two soundly defeated. In fact, the IRC committee voted by a count of 7-4 to disapprove the proposals. The home builders asked for a floor vote to overturn the committee on the first of the two proposals upon which the fire service vote was heard loudly in an overwhelming majority against the home builders (see photo).
Anne Arundel County was well represented at the ICC/IRC hearings. As you recall, seven members of the AACVFA traveled to Minneapolis for the hearings. This year, AACVFA was represented by JOhn Spiker, Jane Huffman, Craig Harman, David Lewis, Paul Demasky, and James Evans. This was a partnership with Fire Chief Robert Ray who allocated half of the county vote to the association. Anne Arundel County was also represented by Chief Ray and representatives of the fire department.
Congratulations to Doug Alexander and the MSFA Residential Sprinkler Committee for their actions to bring forth the presence of Maryland's fire service personnel. And a special thanks to Fire Marshal Bill Barnard and his entire staff for being a national figure in making sure that our position on residential sprinklers was upheld.
Although we won a major battle in Baltimore, we can't yet claim victory in the war. Home builders will continue to attack residential sprinklers at local and state levels throughout this country. It is important that each fire service member get educated on the benefits of residential sprinklers as an added life safety benefit. Then get out and educate your community of these benefits. The Office of the State Fire Marshal and MSFA's Residential Sprinkler Committee is ready to assist you in any way.
America's fire service speaks loudly in a vote to oppose the removal of residential sprinkler requirements from the IRC
