2015 IRC Code Adopted Without Sprinkler Requirement

On March 9, 2016, the New York State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council (Code Council) dashed any hopes that the fire service had of implementing a new fire code containing a requirement for home fire sprinklers.

Despite more than 2,700 petitions filed on behalf of the fire service calling for home fire sprinklers to at least be required in townhouses, the Code Council voted to publish the final rule implementing the 2015 IRC Code with no sprinkler requirement.

It was hoped that with the significant show of support the fire service demonstrated through the NYSAFC-led petition drive there might be some limited success, but this was not the case. The Code Council voted unanimously to move the final rule forward. The new code will take effect 180 days after publication in the State Register; however, builders can begin to use the new code immediately if they so choose. The rule cannot be mandated until the 180-day time period has elapsed.

Our allies on the Code Council advised us that without the votes to make a change to the proposed rule, they felt that they had to vote to move the code forward. It is important to note that this will be the first time that New York state will be operating under the current code and not a version that is two or three versions behind.

The fight will continue. NYSAFC and our fire service and code enforcement colleagues are already taking steps to develop a plan and gather support for home fire sprinklers in the 2018 IRC Code adoption process.

NYSAFC recently launched a media campaign to educate the public and the fire service regarding the benefits of home fire sprinklers. We are also working with the New York Fire Sprinkler Initiative to ensure that our voices are heard in the development of the 2018 IRC Code. We are aware of some efforts to remove home fire sprinklers from the 2018 IRC Code. We will stand strong with our fire service and code enforcement partners to fight this effort at ICC hearings.