National Association of Homebuilders Appeals Sprinkler Vote

The effort to have fire sprinklers required in the International Residential Code for new single-family home construction now has a new hurdle to clear.

Although IRC Proposal RB64-07/08 passed on Sept. 21, the National Association of Homebuilders filed an appeal on Oct. 30 with the International Code Council.

In the appeal, the NAHB contends that the ICC failed to provide a balance of interest in voting as it did not "prevent a single interest group, specifically the fire service, from unfairly dominating the voting at the final action hearings."

The IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition -- which lobbies for the installation of fire sprinklers in residential homes -- helped drum up support among the fire service prior to the hearings.

The resolution garnered 72 percent in favor versus 26 percent against out of a voting pool of close to two thousand people during the conference in Minneapolis.

According to the notice of appeal from the ICC, the appeal is currently slated to be conducted in Chicago with conference call capabilities. All involved parties will be informed of the date, time and location of the appeal hearing at least 20 days prior to the scheduled hearing.

Firehouse.com will provide more information on this story as it develops.

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