Be ready: longstanding sprinkler rules could change any time

About a year ago, and a year before that—actually for the past twenty years or more—the State of New York has been talking about mandating sprinklers in all new single dwellings.

Other states have adopted the regulation.

The New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, which is inclusive of all the codes such as the residential code, building code, plumbing code, electrical code, mechanical code, energy conservation code, property maintenance code and the fire code, is modeled after the International Building Code [IBC].

New York State adopted the IBC, with some changes.

All but one state has adopted the IBC, and they may have come on board by now.The IBC has the single family sprinkler code requirement in it. But, believe it or not, New York keeps pulling it out when code revision time rolls around every three years.

Right now we have the 2010 version as the current code. It is safe to assume the sprinkler requirement will be considered again as a new regulation.

And there is plenty of controversy over the issue.

But one thing is for sure, properly installed and functioning sprinkler systems do save lives.

Of course, just like anything else, the key is that they be properly installed and maintained.

It is amazing how often someone will assume that when the sprinklers discharge, they all go off… just like in the movies, with water flooding the hallways and drenching everything.

That does not happen. Only the sprinkler head that was subjected to the heat will pop.

There are two basic types of sprinkler heads: Heat activated and Rate of Rise.

The first type activates at a certain temperature.

The second will activate based on a rise of heat in a relatively short time span.

If a particular sprinkler head was not subjected to the heat source, it will not discharge.

Currently New York does require all new “R” [residential] occupancies to be sprinklered…except one- and two-family dwellings less than three stories in height.

If you are building a three story home, and all three levels meet the definition of a “story” by code, it has to be sprinklered.

Straight from the NYS Fire Code: 903.2.7 Automatic Sprinkler Systems…

An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3 shall be provided throughout all buildings with a Group R fire area.

Additionally, straight from the residential code R313.5.1:

Buildings having a height of three stories above grade shall be equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with NFPA 13D.

As for Existing Group R dwellings: Alterations to an existing attic which create a building height of three stories above grade shall be permitted in conformance with Section AJ604.3 of Appendix J.

Since mandated continued-education training is this week, maybe some light can be shed on where the state is with regard to the potential for sprinklers to be required after the 2013 revision takes place.