bangordailynews reports from Rockland, Maine, the Rockland City Council will consider slackening its measure requiring sprinkler systems in newly constructed homes to lessen the financial burden for people who want to build in Rockland. Approved by the council in Dec. 2009, Mayor Brian Harden says the systems may cost twice as much as previously estimated, up to $4,500 for a 1,500 square foot house. The revisions, to be considered at the Aug. 13 meeting, include exempting homes within 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant, ones that have hard-wired smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors outside sleeping areas, and certain building materials that retard the spread of fire. State law exempts modular homes from the law, although a recent modular housing development has agreed to install sprinklers. As MHProNews reported yesterday, the Allegany County Commissioners in Maryland is considering rolling back a sprinkler system for new homes for fear of driving new home builders away.
