Residential Sprinklers save lives - now it's our turn to save residential sprinklers ! By MSFA 2nd Vice President David Lewis September 16, 2009 Last year, over 70 Maryland fire service personnel traveled to Minneapolis for the International Code Council (ICC) hearings on changes to the International Residential Code (IRC) that require residential sprinklers in all single and two-family homes. These changes partner with existing code requirements for multi-family homes resulting in an IRC that requires residential sprinklers to be installed in all family residences.

The state of Maryland is nationally recognized as a leader in enacting residential sprinkler legislation with 9 of our counties and 83 municipalities already having code requirements enacted that require residential sprinklers in ALL family dwellings. The state is on track for enacting the 2009 provisions of the International Residential Code that make residential sprinklers a statewide requirement for all new homes starting in 2011.

However, our efforts in Minneapolis are once again under attack by the home builders. This year, the ICC will be holding hearings in Baltimore on the next revision of the ICC codes, to include the IRC. The home builders have proposed revisions to take out the residential sprinkler requirements that we fought so hard to get into the code last year. It will again require a strong fire service presence at the vote (most likely to occur on October 28 and 29) to make sure that these provisions of the IRC remain in force.

The facts speak for themselves. A recent study shows that since the enactment of similar legislation in Prince Georges County in 1992, there have been 101 fire deaths and 328 civilian injuries in single family or townhouse fires that were not protected by sprinkler systems. There were NO fire deaths and only 6 civilian injuries in the same time frame in structures that were protected by residential sprinkler systems.

Here's how you can help – Our biggest need right now is to encourage all fire companies, departments, and members to join the ICC by October 14, then attend the meetings in Baltimore on October 28 or 29 to vote on retaining the residential sprinkler requirement in the 2012 edition of the IRC. As individual volunteer companies, you may join the ICC for $100 and be allowed 4 votes at the hearings. We are encouraging each company to join the ICC and send a contingent to the October 28/29 hearings and vote with the fire service on keeping the residential sprinkler requirements in the code. Individual memberships are also available at a cost of $35 as Associate Members for those who live in an area where your county of local government already maintains membership in the ICC. In order to be eligible to vote, you must join and register BY OCTOBER 14.

As previously noted, over 70 Maryland personnel attended the meetings last year in Minneapolis to maintain the residential sprinkler requirement in the 2009 edition of the IRC. Many more from Minnesota and the surrounding states also attended as they were close and could attend on a day trip in many cases. Now it is time for us in Maryland to step up and do our part to keep this life saving requirement in the 2012 edition of the IRC. The MSFA Residential Sprinkler committee is attempting to line up as many fire station bunks as possible to assist folks from nearby states such as Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia in cutting costs so they may attend in these tight budget times. Baltimore, and Harford counties, and Baltimore City have already pledged more than 100 bunks in fire stations for guests over that two day period. We are hoping to hear from Anne Arundel (John Spiker) and Howard counties for a few more available bunks. We are also attending meetings of groups such as the local fire marshals, MFCA, fire sprinkler groups, (NFSA and AFSA), IAFC, IAFF, local firefighter unions, local governments, etc., attempting to get them to join the ICC and come to Baltimore and vote. If you and your department can assist, please contact Doug Alexander (email: dalexander17@comcast.net)

It is time to stand up and be heard! JOIN ICC AND VOTE TO KEEP RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS PART OF THE CODE !!!

Thank you for your attention to this vital matter of life safety to our citizens.