A small but growing number of code jurisdictions now require fire sprinklers in new and substantially remodeled homes. That number is bound to increase as states adopt the 2009 IRC, which requires sprinklers in all new one- and two-family residences and townhouses. Not all states, of course, will choose to implement the new rule — but in ones that do, builders will need to get up to speed on these systems.

The company I work for designs and inspects residential and commercial fire sprinklers. In this article I’ll focus primarily on residential sprinkler systems — how they work and what builders need to know about their installation.

or Register to continue reading