Maryland City Mandates Fire Sprinklers in New Homes

FROSTBURG, Md. -- Homebuilders here will be required to install sprinkler systems costing thousands of dollars in all new family homes and duplexes starting July 1, per a new local law.

But city leaders -- who are among the first in Western Maryland to mandate residential sprinklers for fire safety reasons -- are trying to cushion the financial blow by offering incentives to prospective builders.

Frostburg's mayor and city council voted 5-0 Thursday night in favor of the sprinkler system mandate, reversing an earlier vote to opt out of the state's requirement.

Fire officials had pleaded with local leaders earlier this spring to make the installation of sprinkler systems law. In December 2010, two Frostburg State University students died in a fire at their East Main Street apartment.

"As firefighters, our only advantage is time, and anything that can help us to prevent the loss of life and property is important," Frostburg Fire Volunteer Department President Gary Tummino told the council last week.

"We feel this is a significant effort ... We are proud of the mayor and council for being proactive in this and protecting the citizens of our town."

Council also unanimously approved the Residential Sprinkler System Incentive Program 2012 to try to attract "as many new construction projects for one- and two-unit residential projects as is possible."

Incentives include a $1,000 reimbursement of the standard water connection fee, which typically costs from $1,500 to $1,800. Real estate taxes would also be significantly reduced for three years, with the city receiving taxes for the value of the land and 20 percent of new construction.

For example, if the value of a lot is $25,000, and the value of a new home is $200,000, then the city would receive taxes for just $65,000. Taxes owed on that property would be about $368, instead of about $1,275. That's a savings of around $900, or around $2,700 over three years.

The cost of residential sprinkler systems ranges from around $2,500 to around $10,000, estimates show.

Maryland adopted the International Residential Code in 2009 and is one of several states that mandate sprinkler systems. Cities and counties can opt out of the mandate, however, and many do.

In April, Frostburg Council voted 3-2 to opt out of the state's requirement but quickly reconsidered be-cause of strong opposition from fire department officials -- and because eventually communities won't be allowed to opt out.

"I know it's been controversial," said Ryan Chapman, deputy chief of the Shaft Volunteer Fire Department. "There's been a lot of thought in the state and at the local level. We certainly appreciate Frostburg taking the first step forward and making a foothold to say, 'We want to be the safest community we can in Allegany County.' Thank you very much for that approach."

Copyright 2012 - Cumberland Times-News, Md.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service