It made me proud to be a native Kansan after reading the recent Lawrence Board of Realtors Newsletter. Here is an article apparently written by the KAR’s own lobbyist / Luke Bell (the hero that helped get HI’s licensed in Kansas).
Its good to know people like this are looking out for us.
Luke Bell, LBOR Director of Governmental Relations
The City of Lawrence is Beginning to Discuss the Adoption of New Building Codes; Controversial Fire Sprinkler Requirement Will Be Included in the Discussion Over the next year, the city will begin to review changes to the city’s existing building code. In early 2008, the city adopted the 2006 International Residential Code as the building code for residential properties. Since that code has now been updated to the 2009 version, the city will now examine the possibility of adopting the 2009 International Residential Code.
Unfortunately, the 2009 International Residential Code, which regulates the construction of single-family residential dwellings, includes a requirement mandating the installation of a fire sprinkler system in every residential dwelling. **If the city chooses to adopt the 2009 International Residential Code, it must specifically opt out of the fire sprinkler requirements contained in the model **code.
At this time, the city anticipates to complete this review by May 2010. The LBOR Governmental Affairs Committee will discuss this issue and participate in the code review process. **What This Means for REALTORS®: **Proponents of the fire sprinkler requirement contend that the installation of fire sprinklers provides fire safety protection to homeowners and firefighters.
However, the opponents of this requirement contend that fire sprinklers are difficult to maintain, increase homeowner maintenance costs, can cause accidental discharges that cause property damage and that the installation adds considerable expense to the cost of residential construction.