Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act introduced in U.S. Senate

Fire safety groups are keeping a close eye on the progress of the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act, which was recently introduced in the U.S. Senate, according to the Congressional Fire Services Institute. 

Senators Thomas R. Carper, D-Delaware, and Susan Collins, R-Maine, introduced a bill (S 2947) on Jan. 22 that would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to classify automatic fire sprinkler systems as five-year property for purposes of depreciation. The bill was referred to the Senate Finance Committee for consideration.  The legislation could result in tax savings for businesses and, therefore, could encourage more businesses to install fire sprinkler systems, thus possibly averting tragic fatal fires. 

Similar legislation (HR 1194) was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Jim Langevin, D-Rhode Island, in February 2009. The House version currently has 111 co-sponsors and was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. 

This legislation would not impose any mandate on businesses to install sprinklers. By contrast, automatic fire sprinklers are required in new single-family homes and townhouses as part of the 2009 International Residential Code. So far, three states, California, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania, have adopted the 2009 IRC without amendments to the fire sprinkler provision.

Read more about the issues surrounding fire sprinklers in a white paper from the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS).

Comments

[Coopers Fire]

I personaly feel that fire sprinklers should be compulsory in all business's. Its great to see they are being built into new homes. They are such a simple but effective way for preventing fires.

[Logan]

WOW!!
That is a big fire!!
Man, I would be to scared to go and fight things like that.

[hosed88]

Why not make it mandatory for businesses as well as new homes?

[lisa]

Hi,
just want you to know that you are doing a wonderful job!!
I have been looking into things like this.
And I think we need to be more grateful for those who help us.

[Fire Sprinklers]

The fact that nobody has EVER died from a fire within a building protected by fire sprinklers in the UK should surely be enough to convince people of their benfit!

[Fire Sprinklers]

This has been a long time coming and I am glad it is finally here, fire sprinklers save lives. In the UK there has never been a death from fire in a property protected by fire sprinklers.

[Munros Safety]

My personal belief is that sprinkler systems should be installed in any business or new home, why not safeguard from the get go, in the long run, in the event of an unfortunate fire, you'll thank yourselves.

[kyla]

thank you so much for the post! after installing my fire sprinklers, I was soooo thankful that my security system warned the fire department! by the time I could dial 911, my local FD was outside of my house! thank goodness for the sprinklers and the system... I saved my house and cats too!