Does your home have a sprinkler system? The answer to that question will be "yes" for all houses built after January 1, 2011. But these watering systems have nothing to do with landscaping and everything to do with saving property and lives.
The International Residential Code, which is the minimum standard for the building code followed in Texas, will mandate fire sprinklers in single and two-family houses and townhomes. The change is the result of a vote by members of the International Code Council. Supporters of the proposal pointed to evidence that sprinklers save lives by giving a building's occupants more time to exit the structure. A sprinkler system can prevent a room from getting to the point of flashover, a temperature so high that all flammable items catch fire.
Average cost estimates for including fire sprinklers in new construction vary. A recent study sponsored by the National Fire Association of 30 homes in 10 communities reported costs ranging from $0.38 to $3.66 per square foot of covered space, with an average of $1.61 per square foot. The report also noted that some insurance carriers offer discounts on premiums for properties with fire sprinklers. The discounts ranged from 1% - 10%.
The new code does not apply to additions to existing homes or remodeling projects.
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