WASHINIGTON COUNTY- Single family homes built in Washington County after July 2015 will be required to have a sprinkler system under a requirement passed by the Board of County Commissioners.
"Townhouses are already required to have sprinklers," says Chris Smith, vice president of Manor House Builders. "Single family homes are not."
Commissioners decided to keep it that way, which is welcome news to home builders. They say requiring sprinklers in a new home just drives up the cost.
"With the current economic conditions, any increase in price is very difficult for us to pass on," says Smith, pointing out consumers have become very price conscious.
Something that's causing home builders to lose clients to other states that don't have fire sprinkler regulations.
"We've already seen people deciding to go to West Virginia or Pennsylvania because of the reduced impact feed and other state and county fees that Maryland has," says Smith.
While builders are pleased, firefighters are disappointed. Officials from the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office discouraged delaying the requirement. They also say they understand there's a cost involved but believe sprinklers are needed in today's construction.
Commissioners decided to keep it that way, which is welcome news to home builders. They say requiring sprinklers in a new home just drives up the cost.
"With the current economic conditions, any increase in price is very difficult for us to pass on," says Smith, pointing out consumers have become very price conscious.
Something that's causing home builders to lose clients to other states that don't have fire sprinkler regulations.
"We've already seen people deciding to go to West Virginia or Pennsylvania because of the reduced impact feed and other state and county fees that Maryland has," says Smith.
While builders are pleased, firefighters are disappointed. Officials from the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office discouraged delaying the requirement. They also say they understand there's a cost involved but believe sprinklers are needed in today's construction.
Comments
It is sad to see the Commissioners bury their heads back into the 1800's. Residential sprinklers save lives and minimize damage to the structure of origin as well as those around them. The tough economic times argument is weak at best. The cost of a residential sprinkler in new construction is around $1.60 per square foot. In an average sized home of 2,000 square feet, that equates to $3,200 which is less than the upgrade to a granite countertop which will not protect you and your loved ones in the event of a fire. Additionally, the residential sprinkler will reduce the cost of your insurance premiums such that the system will pay for itself in about 7 years. The Commissioners have once again failed to look at the total picture of what has been presented to them.
Stephen R.
October 2, 2012 at 11:37 am
It is sad to see the Commissioners bury their heads back into the 1800's. Residential sprinklers save lives and minimize damege to the structure of origin as well as those around them. The tough economic times argument is weak at best. The cost of a residential sprinkler isn new construction id around $1.60 per square foot. In an average sized home of 2,000 square feet, that equates to $3,200. This is less than the upgrade to a granite countertop which will not protct you and your loved ones in the event of a fire. Additionally, the residential sprinkler will reduce the cost of your insurance premiums such that the system will pay for itself in about 7 years. The Commissioners have once again failed to look at the total picture of what has been presented to them.
Stephen R.
October 2, 2012 at 11:35 am
Cannot believe you write this quoting the home builders/opposition. Then don't get any information from sprinkler company owner/supporter.
Joey B.
October 1, 2012 at 7:57 pm
