Comments on: Pennsylvania Adopting 2009 IRC With the Residential Fire Sprinkler Requirement

By: Denis Hafer

Denis Hafer — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 20:30:09 +0000

Thank you for allowing the general public the opportunity to express their opinion on this sensity issue. It is a shame that the general public and potential new homes buyers did not have an opprotunity to voice their opinion before this was pushed through the International Code Council (IRC). Anyone familiar with what took place knows that supporters of sprinkler systems were flown in for the occasion. This is becominig all to typical of how decisions are being made. It is unfortunate so few think they know what best for the masses. They have their own agenda for passing regulation,from ego,to financial to safety. So lets look at the safety issue.Jason Reid from the HBA in Ababama has pointed out that 80% more lives will be saved buy adding sprinkler systems. He also used the same NFPA figures ,that they tend not to mention, which is that you already have a 99.45% chance of surviving a structure fire with just the smoke alarms. Working the math means you now have a 99.89% rate of survival verses a 99.45%.One must question does .5% increase justify the cost?

In my opinion this does merrit adding the $3 to $4 per square ft cost price to the cost of a home. These are the prices I’m getting from installers in SE Pa. It beomes even more expensive when one needs two wells or 2 public water laterals from the street as dictated by local water authorities. I’ve spoken to numerious appraisers and they have said for appraisal purposes this does not add to the sales price only value.
In conclusion I feel there a lot more effective and cost efficient ways of saving lives outside of sprinker systems. With the state of the economy as its is and people having difficulties with getting financing this will be devasting to the already struggling housing industry. I feel people that are making these decisions should take a more comprehensive look before making these decisions to satisfy there own personal agenda.

By: George Church

George Church — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 19:33:37 +0000

Derek-
Please don’t beleive propaganda or quotes from those not focused on the market. The tank and pump for a 13D water supply is only $1500 in my store- I have no idea what others are quoting but it does NOT reflect the market.

Feel free to contact us to get realistic pricing on a system for the dream home you CAN have.

By: Derek

Derek — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 19:25:43 +0000

And so it goes… we have 6 acres to build a house next year in a rural area in PA.

This law will effectively end that dream as the estimated cost of putting a sprinkler system in a home on land without public water is ridiculous. I am being quoted numbers from 25,000 to 50,000 in additional cost due to storage systems (under pressure), pumps, second well.

So, there goes my dream of building a home out the window because I can’t afford the additional expense to install a sprinkler system.

By: Feedup US Citzen

Feedup US Citzen — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 14:55:49 +0000

This country is literally coming apart and the governmental clowns keep creating more and more problems by passing laws and codes, which have some merit, but which are destroying this economic. Lets try to create some jobs, not make it more difficult and expensive to build something. I am NOT a builder, I’m an investor. As an investor, with 40 years experience, I will now only buy companies with 70% of there earning coming from oversea, or Chinese Companies. I want to thank the bought off politicians for destroying this country piece by piece over the past 30 year

By: Randall Bordner

Randall Bordner — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:41:48 +0000

This whole addition to the already unconstitutional building code is a crock. There are differences in each geographical area even within the state. Rural areas will suffer from an increase in buliding costs that will skyrocket as this regulation comes into being. Larger pumps and the need for a larger water supply that cannot be maintained by a single well, just for starters. The Dept. of Labor, in Pa run by a bunch of alcholics, does not have the constitutional authority to make law without the participation of the legislature and THE PEOPLE. The entire code needs to be repealed and left to the people in each MUNICIPALITY. I am a firefighter and Paramedic for over 30 years and this crock about firefighters dying wholesale and the safety factor of sprinklers in residential structures saving lives is being blown out of proportion and will not do what it is said to accomplish. I know of 2 firefighter deaths in the last 20 years in central Pa. 1 the firefighter was simply where he should not have been and the other was in a sprinklered commercial structure where he got disoriented from the smoke. Yes water in a small quantity on fire will create an increased smoke condition. Some body is getting paid off here and heaven help the commie bastard when I find out who it is.

By: john smith

john smith — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:04:37 +0000

read above article again

By: Thomas Stewart

Thomas Stewart — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:42:46 +0000

Good morning. I have heard through the grapevine that PA is adopting this residential fire protection mandate in 2010 for townhouse/condos. Is that true?