An international NGO is mounting a push to change our local laws. Local lawmakers are pushing back.
The International Code Council has said that New Hampshire has adopted 2009 I-Codes, including fire sprinkler requirements. NH is one of two states that are the first in the nation to adopt fire sprinkler requirements based on the 2009 International Residential Code. Pennsylvania is updating to several 2009 I-Codes, including residential fire sprinkler requirements in the Residential Code. New Hampshire reportedly also is adopting the residential requirements for sprinklers effective in 2012.
Please attend the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee hearing for
HB 1191 and HB 1486 on January 12, 2010 at 11:00 AM in LOB 302 and help keep our ability to make our own laws locally.
You may also contact the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee and tell them what you think.
Related info:
New Hampshire Adopting 2009 IRC With The Residential Fire Sprinkler Requirement
December 20th, 2009
Residential Fire Sprinklers
On Friday, December 11, the New Hampshire State Code Review Board voted in the majority to adopt the International Residential Code 2009 edition, including townhouse automatic fire sprinkler systems and one- and two-family dwellings automatic fire sprinkler systems; effective April 1, 2012. The New Hampshire Home Builders Association Representative, John Starr spoke vehemently against adoption while the New Hampshire Fire Chiefs’ Representatives Chief Corey Landry and Local Fire Marshal Michael Hoisington countered every negative remark in a passionate and professional manner. There was widespread support from the Board of Architects, Board of Engineers, New Hampshire Building Officials Association, Board of Licensing and Regulations of Plumbers, and the New Hampshire Plumbing & Mechanical Contractors Association.
The public hearing on adoption was originally held on October 23, 2009 with NFSA’s Buddy Dewar, Vice President of Regional Operations, and Tim Travers, New England Regional Manager submitting oral and written testimony; joined by the NFPA, the New Hampshire Fire Marshal, the New Hampshire Fire Chiefs Association, and Road Sprinkler Fitters Local Union 669.
According to Tim Travers, “the adoption is but one step in the process as several pieces of legislation have been filed for 2010 to prohibit the state building code, or any local amendment, from including a mandatory fire sprinkler system. This will severely impact “home rule”, which is sacred in NH and the NH fire service has vowed to prevent its passage.”