HomeMy WebLinkAboutResidential Sprinkler Requirements
MEMORANDUM
DATE: May 26, 2010
TO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM Tom Anderson, Director
Dave Pedersen. Building Official
SUBJECT: Residential Sprinklers Requirement
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Background:
As you may recall, the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC) included the requirement that
all new 1 & 2 family dwellings be constructed with fire suppression sprinklers. The State Building
Codes Division (BCD) has begun to develop the proposed 2011 Oregon Residential Specialty
Code, and intends to use the 2009 IRC as the model code within it. The Oregon Building
Officials Association (OBOA) is soliciting input from member jurisdictions on the BCD proposal,
and prior to providing that input, the Board is requested to give direction to staff on the form of
that input.
Discussion Points:
• Fire sprinkler systems in all new homes will likely result in a reduction to property loss,
particularly in rural fire districts where response times are longer.
• A number of rural fire districts within the county have expressed support for fire
sprinklers over the years, although at least one urban fire district is not in favor of making
them mandatory.
• Fire sprinklers are expensive and will add cost to all new homes.
• Water supply and minimum pressure may be issues with respect to fire sprinkler
systems and may limit new residential construction in certain parts of the county.
• Some insurance companies have told us that they do not like to see sprinklers in
residences because of the potential for accidental damage from frozen or broken heads.
• It is possible for the State to adopt the 2009 IRC, but make the residential sprinkler
requirement optional for local jurisdictions to adopt if they wish.
• There exists currently a process whereby BCD would permit a local jurisdiction to adopt
a sprinkler ordinance, but to our knowledge none has been adopted in Oregon.
• The Central Oregon Builders Association (COBA) and the Central Oregon Association of
Realtors (COAR) have been made aware of the Board’s discussion of this issue and are
expected to attend the work session.
Options:
1) Support full inclusion of the 2009 IRC in the 2011Oregon residential Code, including the
mandatory requirement of fire sprinklers in all new construction.
2) Oppose inclusion of the 2009 IRC in the 2011Oregon residential Code.
3) Support inclusion of the 2009 IRC in the 2011Oregon residential Code, but support fire
sprinklers in all new construction only as an option for local jurisdictions.
4) Other
Staff Recommendation:
Option #3.