Las Vegas City Council passes Residential Fire Sprinkler Suppression Bill

Like it or hate it, the Las Vegas City Council has approved a Bill (No. 2017-19) that now requires all new structures that qualify as a Residential Group R occupancy to install an automatic fire suppression sprinkler system. This does not affect existing structures and there is no chat about retrofitting for additions.  Notwithstanding, the changes will not take place anytime soon, they still must adopt codes and approved amendments that were agreed on in good faith at it’s passage.

Some of the benefits include 9-12 minutes to evacuate a typical Type V (Residential) structure fire rather than the statistical two-three minutes. Insurance companies allow for a discount on Homeowners insurance. Depending on the type system, recent UNLV Study indicated the cost to install would only cost and additional .95 cents for a typical residence. 

Uponor, supplier of AquaSAFE, designates the system into the following two categories; “The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13D Standard for the design and installation of residential sprinkler systems identifies two basic types of systems — multipurpose and standalone.

Multipurpose systems integrate the fire sprinklers with the cold-water plumbing lines in the house, so the sprinklers perform just like any other plumbing fixture. These systems were created specifically for residential use, and are designed to be easily and seamlessly incorporated into a home’s construction process.

Standalone residential sprinkler systems use a separate, additional system of piping that must be kept isolated from the home’s drinking water supply by a backflow preventer. This component adds additional cost to the initial installation as well as annual maintenance costs which can significantly add up over time. 

Although I agree in principle, I don’t like to be told what I can and can’t do and it should ultimately be the homeowners decision as to how their money is allocated to the construction of their home.  Rather than new construction the additional cost of a suppression system may drive the need for home renovations, additions, small & tiny home construction to save money and keep with in budget.