Transcript Project Status

IRC Fire
Sprinkler Code
Change Update
Anthony C. Apfelbeck, CFPS, CBO
International Association of Fire Chiefs/
Fire and Life Safety Section
Historic Effort
The single most important effort
that we will see in our lifetime to
improve citizen safety,
firefighter safety and property
protection.
Statistics Support This Statement
The Problem:
Civilian Deaths
 78% of all structure fires occur in
residential properties
 84% of civilian fire deaths occur in
the home
 Fire Sprinklers reduce the civilian
death rate by at least 63% in SFD
The Problem:
Firefighter Deaths
 1997-2006 250 Firefighters killed in
structure fires
− 246 killed in non-sprinklered
buildings
− 4 were killed in buildings protected
by an operational fire sprinkler
system
 1 non-sprinklered attic fire
 3 explosion at a pesticide plant
Background
 The International Residential Code
(IRC) is promulgated by the
International Code Council
 IRC is adopted as the base code for
one-and two-family dwelling
construction in 46 states.
 IRC is adopted in Florida as part of
the Florida Building Code
Background
 Adoptable Annex placed in the 2003
IRC which jurisdictions could adopt
to require fire sprinklers
 Ultimate goal was to place a
requirement in the core text of the
IRC for fire sprinklers in one-and
two-family dwellings
 Every 18 months the IRC is
amended in national code hearings
 Came close in Rochester 2007 with
55% of the vote (need 66%)
IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
 Formed in 2007
 Mission is to:
− Promote the health, safety and
welfare of the public and
emergency responders by
supporting the installation of
fire sprinklers in residential
occupancies.
 President is Ron Coleman,
Retired California State Fire
Marshal
IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
 Broad Fire Service Membership
− IAFC
 Resolution of support
− IAFF
 Resolution of support
− FFMIA
 Resolution of support
− FFCA
 Resolution of support
− 110+ Other Associations and
Organizations Across the Nation
Minneapolis Vote
 IRC Sprinkler Coalition
− Grass Roots Effort
− Mostly Fire Service
− Funding
 NAHB
− Adamantly Opposed
− Funding
− Some Building Officials
 Typical code change has 300-400
people voting
Minneapolis IRC Vote
 Sprinkler Proposals had 1,752
people voting
 Need 66% to pass= 1,168
 Received 73%=1,282
What happened in
Minneapolis with respect to
Residential Fire Sprinklers?
 Two code changes were approved:
− 1. Modifies the next edition of the
International Residential Code by
requiring fire sprinklers in all new
townhouses as soon as the code is
adopted and;
− 2. Modifies the next edition of the
International Residential Code to
require fire sprinklers in all new oneand two-family dwellings effective
January 1, 2011.
Impact on Florida
 Media Inquiries
 Will be decided in one of two
venues:
− Legislature
 FHBA
 FFCA/FFMIA
− Florida Building Commission
 Will consider adopting the 2009 IRC in
the next 24 months
 Adoption date late 2011/early 2012
What is the State Strategy?
 Stay Tuned. . .
 Must involve a partnership of FFCA,
FFMIA and FPFF
 Opposition may come from FHBA
and some Building Officials
− Fire service has been accused of
“hijacking the code development
process”
What Can You Do?
 Meet with your Building Official and educate
 Meet with your Water Purveyor and educate
 Give your City/County Manager and
Commission/Council a heads up
 Get your local involved and educated
 Encourage participation by your FM staff at
the state level
 Be prepared to send staff to the ICC Code
Hearings next year
 Think about implementation issues
 SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!
Special Recognition
 Tim Ippolitto, Casselberry
 Wendy Niles, Lake Mary
 Tim Robles, Sanford
 Orlando Nunez, Sanford
 Jim White, Winter Park
 Steve Peavey, Altamonte Springs
Resources
 Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition
− www.homefiresprinkler.org
 IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
− www.IRCFireSprinkler.org
 National Fire Protection Association
− www.NFPA.org
 Handouts
− IAFC Press Release
− Q & A on Residential Fire Sprinklers
−Questions?