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Home sprinkler systems: An automatic decision?

As La Plata County residents review the proposed new 2015 International Residential Code, the topic of automatic fire sprinkler systems has been brought to the forefront of the discussion. The code was originally written with input from across the nation and then reviewed at a local level for adoption. The county can adopt as is, modify or delete sections of the code including, among others, the requirement to install automatic fire sprinkler systems in all new single-family homes and townhomes.

The fire districts have provided information to La Plata County representatives and participating members of the public regarding why the fire service supports the installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems in all homes. This information includes the study from the 1970s that revealed that the installation of smoke alarms provided 17 minutes to evacuate from the time of activation until the room became untenable. In 2008, the duplicated study showed that we now have 3 minutes until the room is untenable. This drastic reduction in time is because we no longer furnish our homes with the same type of furniture (think of all the different materials and products we have in our homes).

La Plata County is served by volunteer departments, career departments and combination departments all with different capabilities and levels of firefighter staffing. We also know that 82 percent of our district is not supplied with hydrants, and therefore, fire suppression is accomplished with water brought by tanker trucks. Homes smaller than 3,600 square feet require 1,000 gallons per minute of water to suppress and extinguish a major fire. Homes greater than 3,600 square feet require the same amount of water to suppress a fire as commercial structures of the same size. Tanker trucks require greater firefighter staffing. Infrastructure costs to supply the water for suppression increase as the amount of water needed increases, hence the larger the home the greater the infrastructure cost.

Some have said that the cost of installing sprinklers in a new home is 3 percent of the overall cost of the home. Local sprinkler contractors have said that the cost averages 1 percent to 1.5 percent of the overall cost of the new home. Data from the Homebuilders Association indicate that, on average, landscaping accounts for 2 percent of the overall cost and that countertops and cabinets are 5 percent.

The question we should be asking ourselves as we look at the proposed code revolves around our values. Are we concerned with the safety of our residents, visitors and firefighters and if so, at what cost? There is always a balance to be found. We agree with The Durango Herald (editorial, May 14) that a compromise may be the right answer for our community. The fire service therefore proposes:

Homes greater than 3,600 square feet, in areas without hydrants, require greater fire flow than the fire service can meet with tanker trucks.

Homes greater than 3,600 square feet require a greater number of firefighters for fire suppression.

Homes greater than 3,600 square feet require greater underground infrastructure to provide water for firefighting.

Exit distance for residents to evacuate from their residence is greater in homes 3,600 square feet and larger.

Therefore, all new homes greater than 3,600 square feet shall have an automatic fire sprinkler system.

New townhomes that are constructed without reducing the firewall ratings shall not be required to install sprinklers.

Each community must develop a specific plan to address the unique fire problems within the community through a combination of preventive interventions. The specifics of the International Residential Code are one aspect of addressing the unique needs of our community. Discussions regarding what we adopt are part of this community assessing its own unique challenges, and then developing and implementing specific intervention strategies to attain acceptable risk. The fire service will accept the decision that the community makes knowing that they do so with a clear understanding of the reasons the fire service supports and advocates for life safety through the use of automatic fire sprinkler systems.

Karola J. Hanks is fire marshal with the Durango Fire Protection District. Reach her at hankskj@durangofirerescue.org.



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