BALTIMORE, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ — Members of the International Code Council’s Residential Building Code Committee (RBCC) have made it clear that fire sprinklers are destined to become a standard feature in all new homes. The fire sprinkler requirement was added to the International Residential Code (IRC) last year, and it is scheduled to become effective January 1, 2011, in states that adopt the latest version of this code. Currently, 48 states use the IRC as a basis of regulating residential construction, although some states lag behind in adopting updates.

At a hearing held earlier this week, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) had petitioned the International Code Council (ICC), which publishes the IRC, to repeal the fire sprinkler requirement, but the RBCC rejected that request by a vote of 7 to 4.

“This vote is significant in two ways,” said Chief Ronny J. Coleman, president of the IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition and former fire marshal for the state of California. “Not only did the RBCC reject the homebuilders’ request to repeal the sprinkler requirement, but if you look at the vote, every member of the committee, other than the four who are appointed by NAHB, voted to uphold the fire sprinkler requirement.”

Following the committee vote, NAHB attempted to use a new procedure in the ICC process that allows members assembled at the hearing to overrule the committee decision, but the members made it clear that they were standing firm on protecting American families from fire. More than 1,000 ICC members in attendance voted overwhelmingly to affirm the RBCC’s decision.

“ICC’s message on this matter is pretty clear,” said Jeffrey Shapiro, P.E., executive director of the IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition. “Their membership has now supported the home fire sprinkler requirement at both the 2008 and 2009 annual hearings, and each of those votes passed by more than a two-thirds margin.”

Those decisions have now been further affirmed by the RBCC, which is a balanced, consensus committee that includes homebuilders, building and fire safety officials, architects and engineers.

“People who buy new homes that comply with the IRC fire sprinkler and smoke alarm requirements can sleep peacefully knowing that their families and their homes are protected from fire,” said Meri-K Appy, president of the non-profit Home Safety Council.

About IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition

Founded in 2007, the IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition has grown to include more than 100 international, national and regional public safety organizations, including associations representing 45 states, all of whom support the mission of promoting residential fire sprinkler systems in new home construction. The Coalition was formed to educate public policymakers on the value of residential sprinkler systems and to support related legislation. More information can be found atwww.IRCFireSprinkler.org.

SOURCE IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition

The recent ice storms in our area is a reminder for Bennington, Vermont real estate owners to prepare for power outages this winter. Many power outages are short-lived, but some may last days. Here are a few things to keep on hand:
1.      Candles and holders, or oil lamps and oil.
2.      Matches or lighters
3.      Flashlight and extra batteries – keep this in an easy to reach area!
4.      Water.
5.      Extra blankets.
6.      Fire extinguisher
7.      Food items that are easy to prepare.
8.      A deck of cards or a game to play while the power is out!

Bennington VT, First Time Buyers, Safety

When you purchase an automobile, what’s the first thing you take care of before driving around town? You’ve got to get insurance, of course. It’s no different when you’re ready to buy a home, but you have some more options.

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If you move out of your home while it’s on the market, you’ll expect your real estate agent to handle showings in your absence. But how do you avoid the unwanted attention that a vacant home can attract from uninvited intruders? (more…)

One of the things I recommend every parent get done as often as possible is a checkup on your car seats.  Protecting children while in your car is so important.

The staff from the Birth Place in Women’s and Children’s Services of Southwestern Vermont Medical Center are offering to fit your car seat on December 18 at the Bennington Rescue Squad station.  The Rescue Squad station is located at 120 McKinley Street in Bennington, for those of you new to the area.

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