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Sprinkler rules are up for debate
Adjusting occupancy levels raises concerns at state and local levels
By EUGENE L. TINKLEPAUGH, Staff Writer
A building code rule change being discussed at a public meeting in Washington today could reduce the number of buildings required to have sprinkler systems installed.
The state’s Insurance Commissioner, Jim Long, who also serves as State Fire Marshal, has come out strongly against the proposed change, which would affect the entire state. A local fire chief also opposes changing the code.
The North Carolina Building Code Council will meet to discuss the sprinkler rules today at 9 a.m. at the Washington Civic Center, 110 N. Gladden St.
According to a press release, the Code Council will vote on a proposal to adjust occupancy levels of dining facilities that prompt automatic sprinkler system requirements. Currently, the code requires any building exceeding 5,000 square feet with an occupancy load of 100 or more to have sprinklers. The new proposal would change that occupancy load to 300, the release notes.
Under this change, fewer public buildings would have sprinkler systems.
Long called the change “ill-advised and misguided” and said it would put people at an unnecessary risk.
“Any architect worth his salt can design a cost-effective sprinkler system that will pay for itself, thus meeting the building codes that are designed to keep our citizens safe,” Long said. “Lessening this code requirement is a bad idea, and one that could have dire consequences in the event of a fire.”
Long is expected to attend today’s council meeting.
Washington Fire Chief Jimmy Davis said that the proposed change has been controversial across the state.
He expected a large crowd to be on hand at today’s meeting.
“Fire service don’t think it should be changed,” Davis said.
He noted that the push for the change was coming from architects who wanted to defray costs.
“We’re talking about life protection here, and you can’t put a cost on somebody’s life,” Davis said. “I don’t think there should be a code change.”
Developers Jim Poteet and Norm Koestline announced in February plans to renovate the building at the southeast corner of North Market and Second streets. The space is being proposed for commercial uses on the first floor and offices for professionals such as attorneys and accountants on the second floor.
In a brief interview Monday, Koestline said because the project involves new construction, the building has to be brought up to code.
“I don’t know if we were required to put in sprinklers or not, but we made that decision early on that we would because it’s a good thing to do,” Koestline said.
Bill Gwinn, a local architect with Inner Banks Architecture, said he planned on attending today’s meeting.
“I’m interested in hearing what code issues are being discussed,” Gwinn said.
According to Gwinn, mandatory sprinkler systems for multi-family housing units such as condominiums or apartments may be on the chopping block as well.
He said these new rules would promote less costly construction, but Gwinn said he agreed completely with Long’s concerns.
“I just got out of a meeting with several building inspectors including Dean Burbage (Washington’s chief building inspector),” Gwinn noted. “We were talking about the relationship with building code officials and architects. As a licensed architect, I am responsible for the health, safety and welfare of the people of North Carolina. I want to do everything I can within reason to take care of that responsibility.”
Gwinn said he was not in support of or against the proposed sprinkler rule change.
“I would have to look at it,” he said.
By EUGENE L. TINKLEPAUGH, Staff Writer
A building code rule change being discussed at a public meeting in Washington today could reduce the number of buildings required to have sprinkler systems installed.
The state’s Insurance Commissioner, Jim Long, who also serves as State Fire Marshal, has come out strongly against the proposed change, which would affect the entire state. A local fire chief also opposes changing the code.
The North Carolina Building Code Council will meet to discuss the sprinkler rules today at 9 a.m. at the Washington Civic Center, 110 N. Gladden St.
According to a press release, the Code Council will vote on a proposal to adjust occupancy levels of dining facilities that prompt automatic sprinkler system requirements. Currently, the code requires any building exceeding 5,000 square feet with an occupancy load of 100 or more to have sprinklers. The new proposal would change that occupancy load to 300, the release notes.
Under this change, fewer public buildings would have sprinkler systems.
Long called the change “ill-advised and misguided” and said it would put people at an unnecessary risk.
“Any architect worth his salt can design a cost-effective sprinkler system that will pay for itself, thus meeting the building codes that are designed to keep our citizens safe,” Long said. “Lessening this code requirement is a bad idea, and one that could have dire consequences in the event of a fire.”
Long is expected to attend today’s council meeting.
Washington Fire Chief Jimmy Davis said that the proposed change has been controversial across the state.
He expected a large crowd to be on hand at today’s meeting.
“Fire service don’t think it should be changed,” Davis said.
He noted that the push for the change was coming from architects who wanted to defray costs.
“We’re talking about life protection here, and you can’t put a cost on somebody’s life,” Davis said. “I don’t think there should be a code change.”
Developers Jim Poteet and Norm Koestline announced in February plans to renovate the building at the southeast corner of North Market and Second streets. The space is being proposed for commercial uses on the first floor and offices for professionals such as attorneys and accountants on the second floor.
In a brief interview Monday, Koestline said because the project involves new construction, the building has to be brought up to code.
“I don’t know if we were required to put in sprinklers or not, but we made that decision early on that we would because it’s a good thing to do,” Koestline said.
Bill Gwinn, a local architect with Inner Banks Architecture, said he planned on attending today’s meeting.
“I’m interested in hearing what code issues are being discussed,” Gwinn said.
According to Gwinn, mandatory sprinkler systems for multi-family housing units such as condominiums or apartments may be on the chopping block as well.
He said these new rules would promote less costly construction, but Gwinn said he agreed completely with Long’s concerns.
“I just got out of a meeting with several building inspectors including Dean Burbage (Washington’s chief building inspector),” Gwinn noted. “We were talking about the relationship with building code officials and architects. As a licensed architect, I am responsible for the health, safety and welfare of the people of North Carolina. I want to do everything I can within reason to take care of that responsibility.”
Gwinn said he was not in support of or against the proposed sprinkler rule change.
“I would have to look at it,” he said.
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