Cost of installing residential fire sprinklers averages $1.61 per square foot
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A national perspective on the cost of installing residential fire sprinklers is examined in a new report Home Fire Sprinkler Cost Assessment, released by the Fire Protection Research Foundation, an affiliate of the National Fire Protection Association. According to the report, the cost of installing sprinkler systems to the home builder averaged $1.61 per sprinklered square foot. Sprinklered square feet is the total area of spaces with sprinklers.
The cost of sprinkler systems to the home builder, in dollars per sprinklered square foot, ranged from $0.38 to $3.66. This cost includes all costs to the builder associated with the system including design, installation, and other costs such as permits, additional equipment, increased tap and water meter fees ? to the extent that they apply.
"More than 8 in 10 fire deaths occur in homes, yet the likelihood of someone dying in a home fire is cut in half when sprinklers are present," said Gary Keith, NFPA's vice president of field operations. "Installing a home fire sprinkler system is a huge step in the right direction when protecting people and property. This national cost assessment will help jurisdictions, building professionals, insurance companies, the fire service, and members of the general public interested in making informed decisions about home fire sprinklers."
The full report can be viewed at www.nfpa.org/foundation
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Habitat for Humanity, NAHB Say 'No' to Sprinkler Mandates
Sep 17, 2008 2:42 PM
Habitat for Humanity International and the National Association of Home Builders are urging International Code Council members voting on proposed building code changes not to mandate fire sprinklers for all new homes. The current code states that sprinklers are optional for one- and two-family homes and townhouses.
Proposals have been rejected previously due to concerns over design and maintenance issues, as well as expenses related to upkeep and use.
"Our concerns center on the potential of pipes being susceptible to freezing in colder climates, damage from the accidental discharge of sprinklers and the availability of an adequate water supply in areas served by wells or where water is a scarce resource," said Sandy Dunn, NAHB president and builder in Point Pleasant, W.V. "Some homeowners may choose to have them installed anyway, but that's where these systems should remain: as a choice, not a mandate."
Elizabeth Blake, senior vice president of advocacy, government affairs and legal with Habitat for Humanity added, "Our affiliates build all across the country and around the world. Mandating fire sprinklers fails to recognize their varying needs, and runs the risk of requiring something that may be impractical for some of our partner families. Habitat's mission is to provide simple, decent and affordable shelter for families. Each home we don't build due to an added and unjustified regulatory requirement such as this can leave yet another family in substandard housing."
Rather than mandates, Habitat for Humanity and NAHB urge homeowners to check alarms regularly and support community initiatives to install and maintain smoke alarm systems in all homes.
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