Jack, Somehow I got tarred with the NAHB's brush. I merely posted information from the NAHB. Trust me I don't support their cause, albeit now that they openly support hardwired interconnected smoke alarms I'll remember to use that to my advantage when a builder balks about having to install them.
What disturbs me the most is the NAHB's statement, and I'll paraphrase; "28% of the consumers surveyed would not install sprinklers even if they were free". Was there such a survey ?, was it scientifically conducted, independent ..... ? That's a big number, while not the majority, still a big number considering if as the NAHB asserts we cant give sprinklers away. Now there is plenty of work to be done, First we have to get rid of water purveyor standby fees, Second we need to educate home owners how to self inspect and test their 13D systems. Now if you don't agree with me on number two take a hard lesson from the last time the NAHB had its hand in the IRC. Many may not know this, and the alarm industry got slammed, 2006 IRC R313 was amended to say that smoke detection systems in one and two family and townhouses must be able to function in the event the control panel is removed !. This essentially eliminated low voltage fire alarm systems as primary fire warning since none that I'm aware of continue to function without the control panel. The NAHB proposed and got the new language adopted. For now I have to run, more to follow.............. See you in Rochester ! John Drucker Fire Protection Subcode Official (AHJ) ICC Government Voting Member New Jersey -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jack KGmail Sent: Thursday, April 26, 2007 2:19 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: National Association of Home Builders is orchestrating amajoropposition campaign against residential fire sprinklers John Is that only me not getting it or are we (in Australia as well as USA and Canada and New Zealand,....) missing the "common sense"? 1- The cost to sprinkler a house is comparable to a carpet upgrade, from cheap-end to reasonable-average carpet, perhaps $2-3 per sq ft? Or upgrade appliances from average to better. With respect to what this couple of bucks per sq ft can do, the cost is more than acceptable in my book. 2- Smoke detectors are a great invention, extremely cost-effective to detect the fire at incipient stages and (hopefully) wake-up everybody to a timely evacuation. Haven't seen any that douse the fire, control its spread or put it out yet and been in this line of business for 25 years! 3- All building codes aim at the absolute minimum requirements, "luxury items" like running hot water, air-conditioning etc are not required to comply with the codes, but hey, haven't seen many houses without these luxuries as well. Hope I am not alone thinking like that. Cheers from Downunder Jack Kilavuz -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of John Drucker Sent: Thursday, 26 April 2007 8:06 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: National Association of Home Builders is orchestrating a majoropposition campaign against residential fire sprinklers Facts about Sprinklers from the National Association of Home Builders The home building industry is dedicated to the safety of the communities in which they build. That's the reason why the National Association of Home Builders supports programs that encourage the installation and maintenance of smoke alarm systems in all homes. Home builders have a vested interest in the safety of their products both during the building process and after the house becomes someone's home. Whenever changes are proposed to the building codes that govern how homes are constructed in each community, the home builder acts as a consumer advocate. It's the home builder's role to make sure that these proposals are necessary and that they are cost effective before they are adopted so that homes stay affordable. For each $1,000 added to the price of a home, another 250,000 potential home buyers are forced to remain on the sidelines. Home builders would never diminish the important role that cost-effective building codes play in providing for occupant safety and health; in fact, new homes are safer than ever. However, as a society, we cannot afford to deny needed housing for the sake of new requirements without proven benefits. While they should remain an option for home owners who choose them, fire sprinklers in single-family homes are expensive to install, can be difficult to maintain and do not represent a cost-effective safety improvement over smoke alarm systems. For that reason, NAHB does not support measures to mandate their use. http://www.smokealarmswork.org/firesprinklers/index.html _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.463 / Virus Database: 269.6.0/775 - Release Date: 24/04/2007 5:43 PM No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.463 / Virus Database: 269.6.1/776 - Release Date: 25/04/2007 12:19 PM _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field)
