Sprinkler Systems in New Homes; It's the Law (Reported by: Samica Knight Last Update: 4/28 10:19 am Chanel21 USA)

Firefighters across the country are celebrating a victory over a recent decision to make sprinkler systems a requirement for new homes.

Under the International Residential Code, the law requires all new townhomes along with one and two family dwellings in Pennsylvania to have sprinklers installed as of 2011.
 
"It was a two year fight nationally to get it put into the national code," said York City Deputy Fire Chief Steve Buffington.

Buffington told CBS 21 News that the fight was between home builders and fire officials across the country.

He said that it all came to a head in a hearing last week at The State Capital when construction companies testified that the sprinklers would burden homebuyer with additional cost.

"If this is something that will prevent one resident or firefighters' death, I don't see how we can put a price tag on that," said Buffington. 

CBS 21 News spoke with a York builder who said he understands both sides but he leans more towards safety.

Some residents worry that the system will activate prematurely causing damage to their homes.
 
Fire officials warn that the room temperature has to be more than 130 degrees in order for water to be released from residential sprinklers.

Also, most sprinkler systems will initially activate only in the area of the fire, therefore preventing damage to the rest of the house.
 
Some municipalities in Central Pennsylvania had already passed ordinances requiring sprinklers.
However, because Pennsylvania has now adopted the code, the law is now a state-wide requirement.

According to the York City Fire Department, Pennsylvania is likely the first state to adopt the code.