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An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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An Essential Update onResidential Fire Sprinklers
Jeffrey M. Shapiro, PE, FSFPEExecutive Director
IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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The IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
• Not-for-profit association representing more than 115national, state and local code official, fire service and safety organizations, including associations representing 45states, all of whom support residential sprinklers
• Formed to help mainstream sprinklers into new residential construction
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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Program Handout
www.IRCFireSprinkler.org/resources.htm
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On September 21, 2008The Future of Fire Safety in America Changed
• Code Change RB 66– Effective upon adoption of the 2009 IRC, ALL new
townhouses must be equipped with a fire sprinkler system• Code Change RB 64
– Effective Jan. 1, 2011, ALL new one- and two-family dwellings must be equipped with a fire sprinkler system
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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Code Change RB66Townhouses
• Introduced by AvalonBay Communities• Offers incentive of reduced fire separation between
units from 2-hours to 1-hour• Avalon Bay indicated that savings from this single
incentive covers the cost of fire sprinklers
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Code Change RB66Townhouses
AvalonBay Communities has the right perspective
All AvalonBay associates, whether delivering services to our customers, or providing support from ourregional offices, are working toward the collective purpose of Enhancing the Lives of Our Residents.
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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Code Change RB641- and 2-Family Dwellings
• Introduced by Chief Ron Colemanon behalf of the IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
• Was companioned with two other proposals– RB67 – Incentives– RP3 – Prescriptive system design
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Code Changes RB64 & RB66Process Facts
• RB64 passed by a margin of 1282 for / 470 against– A margin of 73% (substantially exceeded the required 66%)– 1752 total votes (largest vote count in ICC’s history)
• RB66 passed by a margin of 1260 for / 425 against– A margin of 75%– 1685 total votes
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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Code Changes RB64 & RB66Process Facts
• NAHB appealed the vote– Alledged “irregularities” in the process
• Attacked participation/voting by volunteer fire departments
• Attacked IRC Coalition travel assistance program
– Requested that the ICC Board of Directors “set aside” the vote
• ICC Appeals Board heard the appeal in Chicago on December 11, 2008– Unanimously rejected the appeal
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Code Changes RB64 & RB66Process Facts
• ICC Board of Directors affirmed this recommendation on December 12, 2008
• ICC Board of Directors subsequently changed ICC’s code-development rules– Limited travel assistance funding by third parties– Developed a new ethics policy
• NAHB now asserts these changes as evidence that, while the Minneapolis vote may have technically complied with ICC’s rules at the time, the votes were illigitimate
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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2009 International
Residential Code
• Section 313.1– Townhouse Sprinklers
• Section 313.2– Dwelling Sprinklers
• Section P2904– Sprinkler system
design and installation
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Code Change RP3Prescriptive Sprinkler System Design
• Introduced by IAFC Fire & Life Safety Section– Necessary because IRC doesn’t use reference
standards…intended to be a sole source document– Provides prescriptive design option– Permit alternative of using NFPA 13D
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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Where We Are Today
• With the IRC changes affirmed and published, NAHB is attacking adoption on astate-by-state basis
• Tactics include– Preemptive legislation– Creating and/or stacking state-level oversight
committees for residential construction– Delaying or skipping adoption of the 2009 IRC
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Moving Forward With the IRC
• ICC will only have one code-development cycle for the 2012 codes
• In October, at the first of two hearings, it is anticipated that one or more proposals to delete the IRC sprinkler requirement will be considered
• This may pass the committee vote, but under new rules, the floor can overturn– Any ICC member can vote at this meeting
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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The Public Needs to Know MoreAbout Residential Fire Sprinklers
• Put a firefighter in your home 24/7• First, YOU need to understand the facts about
residential fire sprinkler systems
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1. Momentum
2. Fear of the unknown
Two Biggest Obstacles to Residential Sprinklers
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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1. Momentum– We tend to do things the same old way
• Most builders are used to building homes without fire sprinklers
• Sprinkler installers are traditionally trained with commercial installations in mind
– By introducing non-traditional approaches to piping, sprinkler spacing, and pumps and/or tanks installation costs can be reduced
Two Biggest Obstacles to Residential Sprinklers
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2. Fear of the unknown– Many folks who oppose residential
sprinklers have never seen a residential sprinkler system
THE SOLUTION IS BOTH OBSTACLES IS EDUCATION
Two Biggest Obstacles to Residential Sprinklers
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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MythPutting Sprinklers in Homes is a
New and Untested Idea
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FACTHome Sprinklers Aren’t New
• It’s estimated that there are already more than 250,000 homes equipped with fire sprinklers in America– Approximately 100,000 in Prince Georges County,
MD and Scottsdale, AZ alone
• An average of 10,000+ new homes have been built with fire sprinklers each year– 1% of 1M built
• The technology is consistent with what’s been done in apartments for two decades
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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Maryland is Among the Most Progressive States
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An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
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An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
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An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
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An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
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MythHome Sprinkler Systems are
Complicated and are Difficult to Install
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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FactThey’re Not!
+ +WaterSupply
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What a Residential Sprinkler System Isn’t
Smoke alarmis the alarm
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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MythSprinklers Will Flood Your House
if You Burn Toast
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Facts
1. Sprinklers operate based on heat– Not smoke
2. Sprinklers operate individually3. Sprinklers use small amounts of
water to put out a fire– Typically less than 20 gallons/min– Much less than fire department
hoses
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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MythThere’s Plenty of Time to Respond
if a Fire Occurs
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FactTime Is the Issue…There’s Less
Than Most People Think
• From the time that a fire starts in a home, how long do you have to get out?
• It’s a matter of minutes…or less
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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What’s “Flashover”• Fire is not what Hollywood portrays in TV or movies
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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Sprinklered RoomActivation within 60 Seconds
By Preventing FlashoverResidential Sprinklers Save Lives
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• A secondary benefit to residential sprinklers is property protection
• This home was not protected with sprinklers
By Preventing FlashoverResidential Sprinklers Save Property Too
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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MythResidential Sprinkler Technology
Hasn’t Advanced in 30 Years
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FACTThere Have Been Many
Technological Advancements• The original minimum
flow rate for residential sprinklers in 1980 was:– 18 gpm for one sprinkler– 13 gpm each for two if
any room/compartment contains two or more sprinklers
• The original maximum spacing was 12x12
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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Advances in Technology
• Today, through advances in technology, sprinklers can use 50% less water (as little as 16 gpm TOTAL demand)
• Minimum operating pressure of only 7 psi– Minimum pressure required by
IRC for new homes is 20 psi (based on pressure-balancing showers)
• Spacing can be up to 20x20
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Advances in Technology
• The reduced water demand and increased spacing has significantly reduced the cost of residential sprinkler systems
• They’ve stayed in the range of $1.00/sqft since the 1980s
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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Typical Piping Materials
• Common residential sprinkler piping materials:– CPVC– PEX– Copper– Steel
• Plastic pipe must be listed CPVC Blazemaster Shown
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• Traditionally, fire sprinkler systems are designed and installed as separate systems by a fire sprinkler contractor
• New design approaches and materials permit today’s residential sprinkler systems to be simple, less expensive and more easily integrated into a home than traditional “two pipe” designs
Domestic
Domestic
“Two-pipe”
“One-pipe”
Piping Layout Approaches
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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Piping Layout Approaches
• Stand Alone(two pipe)– Separate piping for
sprinklers and domestic plumbing
– Can be piped in any acceptable material
– Backflow required if:• Black pipe• Fire department
connection• Antifreeze system• Local regulation
Domestic
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Two Pipe (Stand Alone) System
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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Piping Layout Approaches
• Multipurpose Piping (one pipe)– Piped with the potable
cold water distribution system
– Potable water piping material required
– No backflow protection is necessary by model code
– May reduce material and labor costs
Domestic
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• Sprinklers are permitted to be incorporated as part of a plumbing system, just like a toilet or sink
• For growth to occur in the multipurpose market– Sprinkler contractors need
to get in to residential plumbing
– Plumbing contractors need to get into residential sprinklers
Mainstreaming Dwelling Sprinklers
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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• Systems can be made relatively simple todesign and install– IRC P2904 now includes a
pipe schedule design option
Mainstreaming Dwelling Sprinklers
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• Multipurpose systems allow for– Plumbing or sprinkler
contractors to do both sprinklers and potable water
– Plumbing or combinationinspectors to do inspection of sprinklers
– Not much different than electricians installing andelectrical inspectors inspecting smoke alarms
Mainstreaming Dwelling Sprinklers
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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• Multipurpose piping materials– CPVC – PEX– Copper
• In multipurpose systems, stagnant water is prevented by flow through domestic fixtures– What about dead end
outriggers or sprigs? • Hose bibs• “Future use” plumbing
Mainstreaming Dwelling Sprinklers
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Multipurpose Piping Systems
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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Multipurpose Piping Systems
(CPVC-PEX)
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Multipurpose Piping Systems
(CPVC-PEX)
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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• Compatibility of Thermoplastic Piping– Flowguard Gold and Blazemaster can be joined
together; both are CPVC
– Both are permitted for potable water
Multipurpose Piping Systems
(CPVC-PEX)
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Multipurpose Piping Systems(Blazemaster CPVC – FlowGuard CPVC)
IPS
CTS
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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Conversion to Water Piping
• Blazemaster is converted to Flowguard Gold
• Flowguard Gold facilitates connection to plumbing fixtures
• Blazemaster can be used for the entire plumbing system if the contractor prefers
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Multipurpose Oddities
• Typically, the hot and cold water are installed parallel.
• For multipurpose piping, they are not.
• The cold follows the route of the sprinklers.
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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PEX Systems
• Two approaches to PEX– Rehau (direct feed)
– Uponor [Wirsbo](network)
• Network tubing is ½inch in diameter.
• Multiple tubing connections must supply each sprinkler.
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PEX Multipurpose
• In a manifolded PEX system, the manifold can serve sprinklers and the cold water supply to plumbing fixtures.
• The manifold often has a “home run” for each fixture or area.
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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Manifold Network System
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MythSprinkler Systems Will Freeze in
Cold Climates
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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FACTFreezing a ConcernBut Not An Obstacle
• A sprinkler system poses no greater risk of freezing than domestic plumbing if the system is properly designed and installed.
• Freeze-ups result from design or installation errors that can occur with any plumbing system, but it is incorrect to suggest that sprinkler systems are predisposed to freezing in cold climates.
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Is Freezing a Big Concern
• Jurisdictions with severely freezing climates in mountainous and northern states from New York to Alaska have adopted residential sprinkler ordinances
• Widespread freezing problems with sprinklers would generate an enormous political backlash in jurisdictions where sprinklers have been mandated.
• This simply hasn’t happened.
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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• Reducing flow demand can dramatically reduce cost and complexityLess water flow =Standard meter =No infrastructure recovery fee =Works on a well =Smaller tank if needed =Smaller pipes =Smaller fittings =No need for looped piping =Prescriptive designs =No engineers
• What about a “single sprinkler”design basis?
Design GoalMinimize Water Demand
Orange County Fire Authority
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NFPA 13D Water Supply
• Must have enough to meet demand for 10 minutes, except that 7 minutes is allowed for one story dwellings not exceeding 2,000 sqft in area
• Acceptable are:– Connections to a reliable waterworks system
– An elevated tank
– A pressure tank
– A stored water source with an automatically operated pump
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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Water Demand
• Public Supply– Water service must
provide capacity of sprinkler system
– Pressure losses occur in piping and through meter
– Meter can be 5/8”or ¾” (use big pipe…small meter)
• Well System– Well must have the
capacity of the sprinkler flow rate, or
– System must provide a means of flowing at required capacity
• Pressure Tank
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Meter Pressure Loss Curves
Hersey Meter
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
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P2904 Hydraulics
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An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
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An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
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Or Use Spreadsheet
Pressure Safety Factor (psi) : ------------------ 3Pipe Fittings Factor (%) : ------------------------ 40.00%Sprinkler K Factor : -------------------------------- 4.2
Water Service : --------------------------------------- PEPE SDR : ----------------------------------------------- 11Input Diameter (in) : --------------------------------- 1C = -------------------------------------------------------- 150
Water Distribution : ---------------------------------- Blazemaster
Input Diameter 1C = -------------------------------------------------------- 150
Sprinkler Flow Rates to Investigate (gpm) : 121318
Well System? ---------------------------------------- NoWater Service Length (ft) : ----------------------- 40 405/8'' Meter Loss (psi) : ----------------------------- 9 93/4'' Meter Loss (psi) : ----------------------------- 4 4
For The Sizing Table
Input Data
Residential Sprinkler Sizing Table
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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MythHome Sprinkler Systems Require
Expensive Inspections and Maintenance
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MythNew Homes Are Safer Than
Old Homes
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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Aren’t Older Homesthe “Real” Problem?
• Builders suggest that new homes area safer because of smoke alarms and better construction methods
• New lightweightconstruction isactually moredangerous thandimensionallumber
• UL University
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MythSmoke Alarms Are All I Need
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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FACTSmoke Alarms Aren’t Enough
• Smoke alarms are only alerting devices. On their own, they do nothing to stop the spread of fire, protect property or protect firefighters
• As smoke alarms age, their reliability declines
• Manufacturers now stamp an expiration date on each unit indicating a 10-year replacement cycle
• One out of three fire fatalities occurs in a home with a working smoke alarm
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FACTSmoke Alarms Aren’t Enough
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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MythHome Sprinklers Are Too
Expensive And Will Adversely Affect Affordable Housing
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The Issue of CostTrue Impact
• Consider– $300,000 home – $3,000 sprinkler system– 6.5% mortgage– 5% credit on a $2,000/year insurance bill– Combined Federal/State income tax rate of 33%– The net cost of fire sprinklers, after mortgage related tax
deductions, would be $4.37 per month.
• This represents a 0.23% increase in the monthly payment – Roughly equates to the cost of a premium beverage at your
local coffee shop
• Just how cheap do sprinklers have to become before they’re considered cost-effective?
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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Sprinklers Must Not Have an Adverse Impact on Affordable Housing
• The added cost of sprinklers in a 3-bedroom Habitat home is about $500 for equipment and materials– Less than $4/month on a 30-year note, not incl. insurance credit
• The systems meet NFPA 13D, the national standard
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• I’ve personally overseen the installation of 75+sprinkler systems in Austin Habitat Homes…and that’s when I became a believer in the future of residential sprinklers…no big deal
Sprinklers Must Not Have an Adverse Impact on Affordable Housing
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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ResourcesThe Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition
www.homefiresprinkler.org
• DVD presentation and info kits
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ResourcesResidential Fire Safety Institute
www.firesafehome.org
• Model ordinances
• Statistics
• History
• General support information for working on a local ordinance
An Essential Update on Residential Fire Sprinklers
Copyright ©2009 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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ResourcesIRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
• Supporting national and local adoption of residential sprinkler requirements
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Questions ?
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