On September 21, a highly controversial resolution was passed mandating automatic sprinkler systems in single family homes effective January 1, 2011. Since the predominant construction features in these dwellings are oriented strand board (OSB) floor and roof decking and lightweight truss roof joists, this is huge step in the right direction to make these new homes safer for both civilians and firefighters. Amazingly, Sandra J Dunn, the president of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) was quoted as saying, “Unfortunately, fire sprinkler manufacturers and their supporters won the vote Sunday, making these expensive, hard-to-maintain sprinkler systems part of the code. We disagree with this mandate, but our members will continue to advocate for cost-effective construction and life safety measures through the model code process.”
After reading this I called my dad, Jack McDowell (VP of Operations for Carolina Fire Control in Charlotte and 33 year fire service veteran), to get some insight into this mandate and response to Ms. Dunn’s quote. In regard to cost of the systems, he stated that he has installed sprinkler systems in approximately 2000 sq.ft. SFD (“classic middle income homes” as he put it) for an installation cost of around $5500. He said that “if you take that figure and spread it out over a 30 year mortgage, the annual cost is nominal for the protection and safety of your home and family.” The breakdown is like this:
Using a 2000 sqft single family dwelling:
System Cost: $5500
Price/sq.ft (5500/2000): $2.75 / sq.ft.
Annual Cost over 30 yrs (5500/30) $183.00 / year
Monthly Cost (183/12) $15.25 / month
NOTE: This cost would be part of a mortgage
To address the issue of maintenance, he says that a furnace requires more annual maintenance than a residential sprinkler system. As an example, he mentioned that he installed residential systems in seasonally occupied homes between 5 and 6 years ago. None of these homes have required ANY maintenance/repair beyond annual inspection (if they even scheduled that). As a matter of fact, some local insurance companies will NOT insure a second (seasonal) home UNLESS it has a sprinkler system. In addition to residential sprinkler incentives, some insurance companies offer additional incentives for non-smoking households and homes equipped with automatic fire alarm systems.
The point is that, at the end of the day, the goal of the fire service, fire code agencies and insurance companies is to protect the lives of home owners, occupants and firefighters.
Here’s some additional information regarding residential sprinkler systems:
- They are LIFE SAFETY systems…they protect living spaces NOT void spaces and attics/cocklofts
- They are designed to wet walls and ceilings to lower surface temperatures to prevent flashover
- They are designed to give occupants a chance to escape and survive the fire
- As a bonus, residential sprinklers have controlled and extinguished fires prior to FD arrival
- Residential sprinkler systems are typically wet pipe systems
- Residential sprinkler heads only activate in the area of fire (not as depicted on TV)
- Available water supply and pressure effect the cost of the system
- The risers can be small enough to fit inside of a “linen closet”
- Rural areas, w/o a permanent water supply may require a pump and tank (or well) combination
”We must keep in perspective that residential fires are the leading cause of civilian and firefighter deaths annually. Residential sprinkler systems are designed to save lives. To those of you who are not in favor of this code change, what kind of price tag can you put on life? ”
-Jack McDowell
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