New Report: Prince George's County, Maryland Demonstrates Residential Fire Sprinkler Effectiveness First County in the nation to require residential sprinklers tells their 15-year success story » Download Report » Sprinkler Demo & Press Conference Video Alpha to Omega - The History of Residential Fire Sprinklers, by Ron Coleman This collectors' item is no longer available in print, but you can now download an Acrobat copy from IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition's website.

The IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition applauds the October 2, 2009 Open Letter to the Fire Service released by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. In the letter, Chief Ronald Siarnicki, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Executive Director states, There is no better way for us to honor the fallen than to be involved and present for this critical (residential sprinkler) vote on October 28-29, 2009.

Residential fire sprinklers contribute to the success of National Fallen Firefighters Foundation's Everyone Goes Home® Life Safety Initiative #15, which states "Advocacy must be strengthened for the enforcement of codes and the installation of home fire sprinklers."

For 30 years, fire safety advocates, including have worked to get all national codes to require fire sprinklers as a standard feature in new homes. That goal was achieved this year with the publication of the 2009 International Residential Code. Now, the National Association of Home Builders and other anti-sprinkler interests are attempting to have the requirement repealed.

The hearing on the proposed repeal will take place in Baltimore, Maryland on October 28th (could extend to the 29th). Anyone with an interest in codes...firefighters, building inspectors, contractors, engineers, architects, private citizens, etc. can vote at this hearing. To vote, you must be an ICC member no later than Oct 14th.

Ronny Coleman, President of the IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition sums it up like this, If you're committed to a future that includes fire sprinklers in new homes, we URGENTLY need your support at the Baltimore hearing to help ensure that residential sprinklers remain a requirement in the 2012 IRC. I look forward to personally greeting our many friends from the building and fire safety community who can join me in Baltimore!

Click here to learn more about the code process and how you can get involved If you joined ICC shortly before last year's hearing in Minneapolis, you MUST renew your membership this year to vote in Baltimore.

Stay tuned...there's a lot of activity going on at the state and local level as the 2009 IRC comes up for pre-adoption review. We will be communicating updates these activities, as well as other important information related to residential fire sprinklers.

Related:
» An Open Letter to the Fire Service
» Call to Action: Mobilize to Defend IRC Fire Sprinkler Requirements
» The Deadline is October 14th - Are You Committed to Making a Difference?