NFPA Releases Report on Sprinkler Ordinances

A study conducted for the NFPA released last week found that the presence of sprinkler ordinances has no negative impact on the number of homes being built, according to a press release by the association.

Read Full Study The Newport Partners study compared residential construction in four counties -- three in Maryland and one in Virginia. Montgomery County, Md. and Prince George's County, Md. have sprinkler requirements; Fairfax County and Anne Arundel County do not. "This study clearly demonstrates that home fire sprinkler requirements do not impede housing development starts," NFPA President Jim Shannon said in a statement. "This report is another point to make the case for enacting life-saving sprinkler requirements in local communities." Data for the analysis included annual single-family building permits, surveys of housing and households, local documents and news reports released before and after adoption of residential sprinkler requirements, as well as reviews of other housing regulations. The press release also stated that in interviews, builders and staff of the Maryland-National Capital Building Industry Association all indicated that the sprinkler requirements did not significantly affect the volume, character or price of the construction of new homes.