ICC eNews

South Carolina Residential Sprinkler Enforcement Delayed Until 2014

Original source: Greenville Building & Construction Examiner

By James Richardson

Set to take effect in January of 2011, the recently adopted International Residential Code (IRC) contains provisions that would require automatic fire sprinkler systems in all new single family home construction. However, with the passage of H.4633 that South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford signed into law, enforcement of such provisions will be prohibited until at least 2014.

After an emblazoned battle between hundreds of firefighters that were in support of fire sprinklers and the Home Builders Association and numerous builders who were against, the South Carolina House and Senate sided with the latter. Language opposing such enforcement was successfully passed and enacted.

Advocates of the provision argued the life-saving measures of the code while detractors cited increased costs that would hurt an already battered market because the increased prices would have to be passed on to consumers.

Locally approved incentives, however, will be allowed. House lawmakers voted unanimously to override Governor Sanford's veto of a bill providing incentives to those installing fire sprinklers where not already required. Sanford had vetoed such inducements because he said the tax credits offered were large enough that they amounted to a subsidy. The bill offers property owners installing sprinklers a local property tax credit equal to 25 percent of the cost of the fire sprinkler system and an additional 25 percent tax credit from the state.

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