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Sprinkler requirements by state

 

States that have passed home fire sprinkler requirements

California
The California Building Standards Commission voted to adopt the 2009 International Residential Code, including its requirements for automatic fire sprinkler systems in new one- and two- family dwellings, effective date January 1, 2011.

Maryland
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development completed its adoption process of the 2009 IRC with a January 1, 2011 effective date.

South Carolina
The South Carolina Building Code Council voted to adopt the 2009 IRC with an effective date of January 1, 2011. Requirement delayed until 2014 by legislative action.

Status of home fire sprinkler requirements in other states:

State Promulgating body action Status
Alaska  No statewide building code. Local jurisdictions may adopt Ongoing 
Alabama  No statewide building code. Local jurisdictions may not adopt due to legislative action  Legislative action prohibits adoption
Arkansas  No statewide adoption, but local jurisdictions may adopt  Ongoing 
Arizona No statewide building code. Local jurisdictions may not adopt due to legislative action  Legislative action prohibits adoption
Colorado  No statewide building code, but local jurisdictions may adopt  Ongoing 
Connecticut  Rulemaking body voted not to adopt one- and two-family dwelling fire sprinkler requirement.  Not adopted.
Delaware  No statewide building code, but local jurisdictions may adopt   Ongoing 
Florida  Rulemaking body unable to adopt due to legislative action  Legislative action prohibits adoption
Georgia  Rulemaking body unable to adopt due to legislative action  Legislative action prohibits adoption
Hawaii  Referred to study committee  Pending  
Idaho  Rulemaking body unable to adopt due to legislative action  Not adopted 
Illinois  Local jurisdictions must adopt a building code. If locals don't adopt, the 2006 IBC is the default Ongoing 
Indiana  Rulemaking body removed the fire sprinkler provisions from the adoption of the 2009 IRC. Not adopted
Iowa  Not adopted due to legislative action. Local jurisdictions may adopt  Ongoing 
Kansas  No statewide building code. Local jurisdictions unable to adopt due to legislative action Legislative action prohibits adoption 
Kentucky  Mini-max state. Final decision on IRC 2012 adoption. Pending 
Louisiana  Rulemaking body unable to adopt due to legislative action. State Fire Marshals' Office is conducting study  Legislative action prohibits adoption
Maine  Rulemaking body voted not to adopt   Not adopted 
Massachusetts  Rulemaking body voted not to adopt requirement Not adopted
Michigan  Rulemaiking body voted not to adopt requirement  Not adopted
Minnesota  State voted to skip the 2009 code cycle for fiscal reasons. Regulations are moving forward that adopt the IRC with sprinklers. Pending
Mississippi No statewide building code. Local jurisdictions may adopt Ongoing
Missouri No statewide building code. Legislative action placed moratorium and mandatory option until 12/2019 Pending
Montana No action in 2010. Legislative action in 2011 to prohibit adoption vetoed by governor  Pending
Nebraska No statewide adoption by legislative action. Local jurisdictions may adopt Ongoing
Nevada No statewide building code. Local jurisdictions may adopt Ongoing
New Hampshire Rulemaking body voted to adopt. Legislative action nullified adoption Governor vetoed. Override action by legislature successful Legislative action prohibits adoption
New Jersey Rulemaking body voted to adopt. Executive action by governor nullified requirement Not adopted due to executive action
New Mexico No statewide adoption by legislative action. Local jurisdictions may adopt Ongoing
New York 2006 IRC adopted during this cycle Pending
North Carolina Rulemaking body voted to include only the townhouse requirement or a two-hour separation between units Adopted with amendment
North Dakota Rulemaking body unable to adopt due to legislative action  Legislative action prohibits adoption
Ohio The Residential Committee voted to remove sprinklers in lieu passive protection for engineered construction. Pending approval by rulemaking body Pending
Oklahoma Townhouse requirement adopted. One- and two-family dwelling moved to appendix allowing local adoption Ongoing
Oregon Committee voted to remove requirement but allows local jurisdictions to adopt. Pending final rulemaking body action Pending
Pennsylvania Rulemaking body voted to adopt. Legislative action during the 2011 session nullified adoption Legislative action prohibits adoption
Rhode Island Rulemaking body voted not to adopt one- and two-family dwelling fire sprinkler requirement.   Not adopted
South Dakota Rulemaking body unable to adopt due to legislative action  Legislative action prohibits adoption
Tennessee Rulemaking body voted not to adopt. Local jurisdictions may adopt Ongoing
Texas Not adopted due to legislative action. Local jurisdictions may not adopt Not adopted due to legislative action
Utah Rulemaking body voted not to adopt requirement Not adopted
Vermont No adoption cycle in 2011 Pending
Virginia Rulemaking body voted not to adopt requirement Not adopted
Washington Rulemaking body voted not to adopt requirement. Local jurisdictions may adopt under certain conditions Not adopted but allows local adoption
West Virginia Rulemaking body voted not to adopt requirement Not adopted
Wisconsin Rulemaking body unable to adopt due to legislative action  Legislative action prohibits adoption
Wyoming No statewide building code. Local juriscitions may adopt Ongoing