The Pennsylvania Builders Association (PBA) is putting profits ahead of the safety of residents and fellow firefighters by conducting a massive lobbying effort full of propaganda, which will bring Pennsylvania's homes below national building code standards.
The purpose of this lobbying campaign is to roll back the International Residential Code (IRC), the building code that Pennsylvania uses to the 2006 edition - scuttling the 2009 IRC Code already approved by Pennsylvania, which includes a life safety regulation, the residential fire sprinkler requirement.
The code states that all newly constructed one- and two-families homes and townhouses built in Pennsylvania must contain a life-saving fire sprinkler system. This requirement went into effect on Jan. 1, 2010, for townhouses and will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2011, for one- and two-family homes.
It is reprehensible that the PBA is continuing its campaign against life-saving standards for our homes. The PBA lost its arguments with the building codes advisory committee, the Pennsylvania Independent Regulatory Review Commission, and the courts.
Fire sprinklers are a life-safety device that must be mandated by the government to keep up with 20-plus years of homebuilder-led code changes. These changes have allowed houses to be built out of "lightweight" building materials, which are so flammable that firefighters have only four minutes after a fire starts to enter a burning structure, make any rescues, and then retreat before risk of collapse. Twenty years ago, before builders were able to chip away at building codes and bring lightweight materials into common use, the time for rescue was 20 minutes.
Fire department resources across the state are stretched like never before and new construction, particularly in large developments, makes things worse. Although we are fast, fire departments cannot travel to and make rescues from fires within four minutes of the fire starting. This leaves occupants essentially on their own, including children, the elderly, and anyone mobility-impaired. Sprinklers go a long way toward relieving pressure on responders and taxpayers.
It is unbelievable to think that the very people who construct our homes are not willing to make them safe. We cannot allow them to put profits above the lives of firefighters, homeowners and their families. I sincerely hope that the legislators in Pennsylvania will do the right thing and ignore the PBA's pressure tactics to roll back our building codes. Legislators must give firefighters around the state the time and peace of mind to do their jobs!
Matthew Ruoss
President Southern Chester County
Fire Chiefs Association
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