At next month'sICC code development hearings in Baltimore, home fire sprinkler opponents will be pushing to remove requirements for residential fire sprinklers for new one- and two-family homes from the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC). Several anti-sprinkler proposals have been submitted to the ICC. See pages 96-100 ofproposed changes to ICC documents, as well asNFPA's comments on these proposals (PDF, 58 KB).

Some sprinkler opponents arespreading misinformation about the need, cost, and effectiveness of this life-saving technology. The fact is that home fire sprinklers save lives and protect property from destruction by responding quickly and effectively to the presence of a nearby fire. In fact, the risk of dying decreases by about 80% when sprinklers are present. Sprinklers also reduce the average property loss by about 71% per fire.

Get involved
If you're an ICC member, please make plans to attend the hearings in Baltimore and vote "NO" on the anti-sprinkler proposals. There is no cost for ICC members to attend the hearings, butpre-registration is required.

For additional information, go to the IRC Coalition web site: http://www.ircfiresprinkler.org/