The so-called International Code Council, which writes the building codes used in most jurisdictions in the United States, voted to require sprinklers in all new single family homes and all other new residential construction. The requirement would take effect in 2011. This is a major step towards sprinklers being fitted in all new homes in the US. The next step is for the 50 states individually to adopt the new code. While there is no guarantee they will do so, commentators have observed that if they do not they will leave themselves open to lawsuits should anyone die in a fire in a home built after 2011 without sprinklers. This change was achieved despite heavy counter-lobbying by the house-building industry, which had managed to get the proposal rejected in committee.
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