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IRC Topic at ICC Fall Conference

The International Code Council (ICC) rejected modification of the International Residential Code (IRC) at its meeting on May 22, 2007 in Rochester, New York, that would have required fire sprinklers in one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses.

Although more than half the voting members favored inclusion of fire sprinkler requirements in the IRC supplement, the total vote was shy of the two-thirds majority needed to pass the motion.

The issue will be addressed at a final action hearing during the ICC’s Annual Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota in September. Only government members of the International Code Council will be eligible to vote.

For further information please visit the International Residential Code Fire Sprinkler Coalition Web site at www.ircfiresprinkler.org or the International Code Council at www.iccsafe.org.

To learn more about residential fire sprinklers, visit the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition’s Web site at www.homefiresprinkler.org.

2007 Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act Needs Your Help!

Write Your U.S. Senator and Congressmen

The Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act of 2007 needs more legislative support for public sponsorship. The bill creates tax incentives for property owners to retrofit buildings with automatic fire sprinkler systems. Similar legislation was introduced in the 108th and 109th Congresses where it garnered over 140 cosponsors each time.The bill is identified as HR 1742.

These pieces of legislation would reduce the tax depreciation time on nonresidential real property from 39 years to only 5 for those that install sprinklers. Benefits of this legislation also include lower local fire department costs, increased loan activity, reduced insurance claims and premium costs.

NFSA Director of Public Fire Protection, Jim Dalton has been on point as NFSA’s representative working with members of Congress and a coalition of fire protection industry concerns in supplying information and support as required keeping these vital pieces of legislation moving through the legislative process.

The NFSA Cap Wiz process is promoted as a quick means for constituents and others to write in to support this important piece of fire protection legislation. Go to this site and help us help America be safer: http://www.nfsa.org/fsia/fsiahome.html. For a document explaining the Incentive Act bullet points go to: http://www.nfsa.org/fsia/FSIA_Bullet_points.pdf