The S.C. Building Codes Council voted 6 to 3 to not remove the mandatory residential fire sprinkler requirement from the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC). As it stands today, all new one- and two-family homes built starting January 1, 2011, will be required to have an automatic fire sprinkler system.
Your Home Builders Association of Greenville has taken the position that installation of fire sprinklers should be at the option of the home buyer and not mandated by government. You can read the association's position statement by clicking here.
Your Home Builders Association agenda now is to lobby for passage of legislation removing the mandatory fire sprinkler provision from the IRC. The Home Builders Association of South Carolina has made that legislation a top priority.
To make this happen, your Home Builders Association needs you to contact your Senators and urge them to support S.1057. Click on your Senator's name for his contact information.
Senator Ralph Anderson
Senator Mike Fair
Senator Shane Martin
Senator Phillip Shoopman
Senator David Thomas
Senator Danny Verdin
Senator Thomas Alexander
Senator Larry Martin
A key Senator for this issue is Senator David Thomas. Senator Thomas has placed an objection on S.1057 and has expressed support for mandatory fire sprinklers in homes. When you call Senator Thomas, ask him to support removing fire sprinklers from the building code for one- and two-family homes. Another key Senator is Senator Thomas Alexander, who sponsored the legislation to remove sprinklers from the IRC. When you call Senator Alexander, please thank him for his efforts.
If you do not know who your Senator is, find out by clicking on this link, and enter your nine-digit zip code.
Your Home Builders Association recognizes the importance of addressing mandatory fire sprinklers in homes. HBA of Greenville members from the Legislative and Executive committees have traveled to Columbia to discuss your concerns with them.
You will have the opportunity to help by attending the 40th Annual HBA of South Carolina Bird Supper in Columbia this month. The Bird Supper is the association's annual legislative dinner and one of the largest receptions for legislators in South Carolina.
Bird Supper Details
Date: Wednesday, March 24, 6:30 p.m.
Place: The Marriott in downtown Columbia
Tickets: $35 per person
You can register online by clicking on this link: Register for the Bird Supper
The Home Builders Association of Greenville are your neighbors and community leaders providing education and support for building industry professionals. We create jobs, encourage homeownership, and promote responsible growth throughout the upstate of South Carolina.
No comments:
Post a Comment