Install sprinklers in your home

The cost to install home fire sprinklers in 51 homes in 17 communities averaged $1.35 per sprinklered square foot, down from the $1.61 average in 2008, according to a report conducted by Newport Partners and released by the Fire Protection Research Foundation, an affiliate of the National Fire Protection Association.
The new report, “Home Fire Sprinkler Cost Assessment – 5 Year Update,” provides a national perspective on the cost of installing home fire sprinklers.    The primary purpose of the 2013 study was to review current home fire sprinkler costs against a 2008 benchmark study, Home Fire Sprinkler Cost Assessment, also commissioned by the Foundation and conducted by Newport, to better understand the relationship between adoptions, various elements of cost such as installation and materials, how efficiency in design or installation may be introduced and more.
In 2008, sprinklers were becoming more common in one- and two-family homes but adoption was not widespread. Fire sprinklers in homes have steadily increased in recent years, driven in large part by building codes, outreach and education. Two states — California and Maryland — have sprinkler requirements in place for all new one- and two-family homes with numerous other jurisdictions in the process of partial or full adoption of the provision.
In Maine, fire safety officials are hopeful that residential sprinkler requirements will become reality.
“Based upon research conducted at the local, state and national level, the Office of State Fire Marshal has concluded that sprinkler systems in residential dwellings will save lives and property in Maine. As you know, the residential sprinkler system requirement is a major change in the code. I have had many discussion with a variety of groups on this issue and it is obvious that there needs to be an extensive public awareness and educational push by everyone interested in this before this would ever be accepted in Maine as a mandatory requirement,” writes John C Dean, State Fire Marshal on the agency’s website (www.maine.gov/dps).