The problem as I see it is that this bill amends the chapter of the State Century Code that sets the rules for adopting the building codes - it doesn't amend the building codes themselves. It could be argued that regardless of the decisions made by local jurisdictions, this amendment would FORBID them to codify the fire sprinkler requirements of the 2009 IRC.
Beyond the opinions of yea or nea to sprinklers in homes, this bill is poorly written because it would have the State Legislature determine what would normally be considered by the building code advisory committee. Of course, for those against sprinklering homes, THAT is the brilliance of the bill. I know this topic may be getting a bit regionally-specific, but I hope it illustrates for you all the differing avenues that may be used to attack the 2009 IRC. I am hoping to get over to Bismarck tomorrow a.m. for the committee hearing on this matter. Mark A. Sornsin, PE Fire Protection Engineer Ulteig Engineers, Inc. Fargo, ND Direct: 701. 280.8591 [email protected] -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Rod DiBona Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 9:39 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Threat to the 2009 IRC North Dakota operates very similar to South Dakota in this respect. We are fortunate to have excellent fire prevention guys in Rapid City but there isn't a lot of enforcement outside of city limits. One additional point to Dave's comment is that actually the state will have to amend the code to take out the residential portion and I believe that may be our best angle of attack. Many jurisdictions amend the code and make it more stringent but how often is the national code weakened? I just wonder from a city attorney point of view if jurisdictions are willing to amend a national code to make it weaker. Can you imagine the scenario in a city that has struck this from the code and then endures loss of life in a new house. Now this city is sitting in front of a judge/jury explaining why they knew better than the professionals whose code they adopted?? Is that liability that jurisdictions are going to be willing to take? Rod DiBona Rapid Fire Protection -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Dave Sornsin Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 12:43 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Threat to the 2009 IRC FYI, the way ND works is most larger cities and counties have their own "Home Rule Charters" where they can add/change/ignore any of the state adopted International Codes as they see fit. For the rest of the areas, they are governed by whatever the state adopts, but there rarely is any enforcement. Of course if the state doesn't adopt the residential sprinkler portion of the codes, the people against sprinklers will use that stance as an additional argument against home sprinks as it comes up in each city's code adoption process. ....now back to getting the pins in those maverick extinguishers while wading through chest deep foam. Dave Sornsin General Manager Nardini Fire Equipment 303 20th St N Fargo, ND 58102 701.235.4224 fax 701.235.5089 cell 701.371.0643 [email protected] www.nardinifire.com -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Robert Sent: Monday, January 26, 2009 3:44 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Threat to the 2009 IRC The bill in ND is being introduced by two representatives from Grand Forks and one other. The rumor is that their husbands are contractors. The Grand Forks Fire Marshals office is very concerned that this bill will pass. However the wording is such that the cities will have the last word. We are helping in a effort to defeat this bill by supplying information as to cost and benefits of sprinklers systems in homes. This effort is being lead by the Fire Marshals themselves. I wish there was a way to stop Hollywood from constantly setting off deluge systems as if the are standard sprinkler system. I have had to explain this so many times. Once again the sheep follow. Robert Thompson CET III Dakota Fire Protection Grand Forks, ND _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field)
