Fire fighters and safety groups advocate the use of fire sprinklers in residential houses, but homebuilders and others contend that requiring sprinklers when the nation is in a recession is too burdensome. The International Code Council recently approved a mandate, which is likely to be adopted by the states, to require each new house and townhome to have sprinklers by 2011. Nationally, about 3,000 people die annually in fires and 80 percent of fires occur in the home. However, less than 2 percent of homes have sprinklers. While there is no universal way in which residential building codes are adopted, states are expected to accept the new code either on a local government level or through their state legislature, housing board, or state code officer. The American Insurance Association (AIA) reports that insurers offer discounts up to 15 percent for having sprinklers in the home, and the cost of installing these devices is up to $2.66 per square foot, which is less costly than upgrading to granite counter tops and whirlpool tubs.

From “Homebuilders vs. Firefighters Over Sprinkler Rules” Associated Press (09/18/09) Potter, Dena