Johnston Fire, City Officials Mull Rules for Sprinkler Systems in Housing

As Johnston updates its building codes to include a mandate for sprinkler systems in all single- and double-family homes, an area homebuilders group says the additional expense should be optional rather than required, reports the Des Moines Register.

The newspaper says the Home Builders Association of Greater Des Moines and developers argue the sprinkler systems are unnecessary and raise building costs.

Requiring sprinklers for residential properties, including townhomes, has been endorsed by the Iowa Association of Professional Fire Chiefs, the Register says.

The Home Builders Association of Greater Des Moines says that sprinklers should remain a choice, executive officer Creighton Cox told the Regiser. Sprinkler systems can increase the cost of a townhouse from $4,000 to $6,000, he said.

Cox has asked the Johnston council to amend the code so townhouses must install sprinklers only if there are more than eight townhouses in a row or if any of the structures has fewer than two exits, including doors and windows, the newpaper reports.

At the June 18 City Council meeting, Fire Chief Jim Krohse said the city has no plans to require sprinklers in all new residential properties, regardless of size, according to the Register.