As MHPronews reported August 13, 2012 the requirement went into effect July 1. At that time, counties could opt out of the mandate if they chose to by Oct. 1, except for modular homes. Modular homes have been required to have sprinkler systems since July 2013. Among the leading critics of the sprinkler law are builders, who say the additional cost makes it difficult to make a profit on new construction in rural counties, where the average household income lags behind that of the suburban areas.
While the Maryland State Fire Marshal Brian Geraci stated there has not been a single death in any building or home with a sprinkler system in Maryland, the cost of the system for an average starter home of 1,600 square feet on a well water home ranges from $4,100 to $6,200.
Amy Moredock, Kent County director of planning, housing and zoning, says the effect of the sprinkler system mandate is not absolutely clear yet. From 2002 to 2005 an average of 100 homes were built in the county each year. The numbers hit a low of 18 in 2010, and climbed back to 50 in 2014. She said,“We may be on a decline now that the conditional sprinkler exemption has expired.”
She said only six new single-family homes have been built in the county this year, and that half of them were below $200,000, the range where the cost of a sprinkler system would likely have the most effect. Numbers were not available on how many of the homes included in her figures were modular. ##
(Photo credit: wikipedia commons-sprinkler)
