Delaware housing: Sprinklers could become standard

Here's a great way to make the economy even worse. Drive housing costs up dramatically while few are able to buy anyway. This is also a good way to keep people in old homes that are far more likely to burn.

By Adam Taylor

Fire chiefs and code inspectors in New Castle County think sprinkler systems should be required in new houses and town homes because they save lives.

But homebuilders think the added expense would hurt their already depressed industry. And the local Habitat for Humanity chapter claims they could keep people out of safer new homes and in old ones that are fire hazards.

County Council is considering making sprinklers a requirement in new houses and town homes beginning in 2013. The change is part of the 2009 International Building Code, and county officials would like to incorporate into its rules.

"We liken smoke detectors to seat belts and sprinkler systems to air bags," county Land Use Administrator Joe Day said.

The change is on the agenda for Tuesday's council meeting, but County Executive Paul Clark would like to see it delayed for at least two weeks. Clark supports the change, but wants to try to get local water companies to waive an annual fee to homeowners if they don't use the sprinklers.<>

http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20110321/NEWS02/103210340