Sprinklers mandated by new fire codes

Beginning January 2011, all newly constructed single family residences in California will require an automatic sprinkler system that activates in response to extreme heat for fire protection.

Sprinkler heads — which are meant to contain fire to a single room and make it easier for residents to escape without injury — spray water forcefully when the temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit or greater.

A typical home will require one in the kitchen, one in the bedroom and two in the living room, though more will be required if the house has additional rooms and greater than average square footage.

“The sprinkler system is intended to give the occupants time to get out,” Porterville Fire Department Capt. Loran Blasdell said.

The PFD prevention bureau will be in charge of inspecting new systems in the Porterville area when the 2010 California Residential Code — which tightens building standard regulations — take effect in the beginning of next year.

The codes were unanimously adopted Jan. 12 by the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC), requiring the installation of the sprinkler systems, among other smaller alternations to the existing code.

A slightly stricter version of the codes established by the International Code Council, the CBSC regulations are state mandates, and as such local agencies must implement the codes.

Blasdell presented the updated ordinance to City Council Tuesday night, emphasizing that it was an information item only.

“So it doesn’t matter what we say — they’re going to adopt it anyway,” Councilman Felipe Martinez said.

Blasdell agreed that is the case. He also told the council that it was the department’s intent to “adopt as written,” and apply the codes only to new structures.

The sprinkler ordinance will only affect new construction; old homes, even if remodeled after the date the codes are adopted, will not be required to install the fire protection systems.

Though local agencies cannot choose to ignore the state regulation, they do, however, have the option of making the codes even more restrictive upon adoption, Blasdell said.

The updated codes will be enforced by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) and fire and building departments throughout the state. They will bring the state in line with the 2009 International Building, Fire and Residential codes.

To Blasdell’s surprise, there was no opposition to the regulation, which will add about $1.61 per square foot to install, according to the Fire Protection Research Foundation.

He estimated the stricter fire protection requirement will add about $3,000 to the cost of a new home.

However, a representative from the California Building Industry Association spoke in favor of the regulations at the CBSC board meeting.

Blasdell said the move will pay dividends for the safety of residents.

The sprinklers are not set off by smoke and only those near dangerous temperatures activate, minimizing water damage. In addition, they are connected to the main water system.

“It’s a great plus for fire and safety protection,” Tulare County Fire Chief Joe Garcia said.

He oversees fire prevention, fire investigation, public fire education and code enforcement activities for TCFD.

Garcia said while smoke detectors are currently required, the sprinklers will increase safety levels by spraying a curtain of water on the room threatened by fire.

“This is good because it creates a water barrier, and contains the fire to the room of origin,” he said.

The jobs of firefighters, Garcia said, will be made slightly easier as the water will help them limit property damage, keep the fire from spreading out of control and better contain the fire.

“The fire service have been lobbying for something like this for many years,” he said, while “home developers associations have been fighting against it” because of the increased construction costs.

Higher prices, he said, will be passed on to the homebuyers.

He estimated the cost at $3,000 to $5,000, depending on the size of the residence.

Garcia said residential sprinkler systems have been in existence for more than 40 years, and he has never heard of one failing.

“They use plastic piping designed to be durable, and the piping will be in the interstitial space above the ceiling, so its protected from UV rays and the elements,” he said.

He said the system should last the life of the home.

“It’s a very simple system, so it won’t need continuous maintenance,” he said.

According to the Office of the State Fire Marshal, installation of fire sprinkler systems has only been required in office buildings and multi-family dwellings, such as apartments.

Currently, more than 100 jurisdictions in California already have a local residential fire sprinkler ordinance.

The final code documents will be sent to the ICC by Feb. 9; publication will be completed by July 4.

Following publication, local agencies have 180 days to review the regulations and make any amendments deemed necessary.

Implementation will take place Jan. 1, 2011.

-- Contact Sarah de Crescenzo at 784-5000, Ext. 1045, or sdecrescenzo@portervillerecorder.com.