The International Residential Code, which is the minimum standard for the building code followed in Texas, has recently passed a mandate which will require all new construction homes beginning January 1, 2011 to come fully equipped with a sprinkler system. But don’t be misled. These sprinklers are not to protect your lawn from the sweltering Texas heat. Instead, these sprinklers protect your family. That’s right. Fire sprinklers (very common to commercial properties) will now be required in all residential properties. The code does not apply to existing homes or even additions or remodeling projects.
Evidence shows that fire sprinklers give a person more time to exit a building and also prevent rooms from reaching the point of “flashover” (a temperature so high that all flammable items will catch fire).
Although this new madate will cause the cost of homes to rise (estimates range from $.36 to $3.66 - with an average of $1.61 - per square foot) many insurance carriers offer discounted premiums (ranging from 1-10%) on homes with these safeguards.
