Firemen’s Association to state: Make builders install home sprinkler systems

LOWVILLE — The Firemen’s Association of the State of New York will lock horns with builders this year over whether the state should require the installation of residential sprinklers in new homes, volunteer firefighters learned Sunday afternoon during a legislative outreach meeting held by the Albany nonprofit at the Lowville Fire Hall.

FASNY, which represents about 900,000 volunteer firefighters statewide, is encouraging the New York State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council to update the state Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code so builders would have to install low-flow automatic sprinklers in all new homes, according to Andrew Marocco, a lobbyist for FASNY who is the senior vice president for Albany Strategic Advisors.

Mr. Marocco highlighted the contentious issue as part of an update on proposed laws to benefit volunteer firefighters that FASNY will push the state Legislature to approve in 2015, seeking support among legislators to do so. The meeting in Lowville was one of eight informational sessions for volunteer firefighters that FASNY has planned this year.

The state Building Code Council is expected to consider adopting the 2015 version of the International Residential Code this year, which includes the controversial sprinkler mandate for builders, Mr. Marocco said. Adoption of that code would mean that builders would be compelled to install sprinkler systems in all one- and two-family homes, along with any home that undergoes substantial reconstruction of 50 percent or more.

Such a move has been adamantly opposed by home builders, though, who now have the option to install residential sprinkler systems under the state building code but aren’t forced to do so, Mr. Marocco said. He said builders don’t want to be forced to install sprinkler systems mainly because of the extra construction cost.

Mr. Marocco contended that objections from the New York State Builders Association against updating the state’s 2006 building code haven’t been convincing because statistics suggest the sprinkler mandate ultimately would save people’s lives by preventing fires.

“We have no record of anyone perishing in a home that has residential sprinklers,” he said. The requirement “would be a game changer in terms of first-response safety.”

Mr. Marocco added that the 2006 building code has not been able to address some challenges of home developers in high-tech industries. By updating it to be the same as the international code, he said, the revised building code would provide solutions to issues for developers that aren’t covered by the current version.

“It would be more user-friendly so builders wouldn’t need to apply for variances” to complete projects, he said, describing the 2006 code as outdated.

Joseph A. Finnegan, a former president of FASNY who serves as a volunteer firefighter in Madrid, said during Sunday’s meeting that it is important for fire departments across the state to support updating the 2006 building code.

“It will be critical that the governor’s office knows we’re in favor of the 2015 code,” he said. “It’s probably the most critical issue that fire services and their constituents face.”

Mr. Finnegan said the installation cost for residential sprinkler systems is about $1 to $2.50 per square foot. But he said the additional cost to home builders for sprinkler systems pales in comparison to their benefits.

Builders “have used a lot of nonstatistical evidence and rhetoric to argue against this, saying sprinklers could cause leakages and mold,” he said. “An extra cost of about $1,500 to $2,500 (to install sprinklers) is about the same as the cost to upgrade a countertop in a kitchen.”

Among other legislation, FASNY is leading lobbying efforts for proposed laws this year that would require manufacturers of smoke detectors to use only long-life batteries, extend health coverage for heart and lung diseases, and enable municipal ambulance services to bill health providers for services rendered, Mr. Marocco said.

Fire departments represented by volunteers at the meeting were Carthage, West Carthage, Copenhagen, Martinsburg, Waddington, Colton, Lowville, Tupper Lake, Long Lake, Madrid, New Bremen and Beaver Falls.