Children used to play a game called hide-and-seek. Perhaps they still do. One person was designated as "it" and everyone else was given the task of hiding. The seeker then would cover his eyes and count backward from some number; upon reaching zero he would announce "ready or not, here I come," and the search was on. Regardless of whether children still play this game, its warning declaration still is relevant. What I am referring to is the ramping up of our delivery system to deal with the passage of requirements in the International Residential Code that mandate sprinklers in future homes that are built in certain states.
Are you ready? This is not a rhetorical question. It is a serious consideration in those states that are moving ahead with the adoption process. As a fire professional, I am sure that you already have recognized that the next 10 years are going to be very different than the previous decade because, for the first time in history, there is real potential for resolving the fire problem in single- and multiple-family occupancies.
In my opinion the new way will not be business as usual. Granted, most fire-prevention bureaus are familiar with sprinkler systems. Sprinklers have been in the codes for decades. What's new is that these requirements are going to create a much higher level of cooperation and coordination with the building department. These requirements also will necessitate a different interaction with the community. I know that because in California, where I live, those departments that have been involved in this concept have experienced such interaction for decades. It is not a hypothetical consideration. It is a real scenario. I repeat the earlier question: Are you ready?
At an absolute minimum, your department will need to evaluate and assess how it is willing to do business in the area of plan checking and field inspection. Both may require a new set of competencies for the entity charged with the task of enforcement. Also, new collaborative relationships may be required with your water supplier. In fact, it is likely that such enhanced cooperation will be an extremely important factor in your department's future success.
If you want to be ready you need to develop a plan. The following are a few suggestions for crafting one:
- Develop a library of documents relative to residential sprinkler methodology. At a minimum you should have NFPA 13D, and IRC Section P2904.
- Begin to identify roles and relationships that will be part of your organization's internal processes, including the development of strong relationships with the building and water departments.
- Seek out training opportunities as early as possible for your fire-inspection staff. If possible, have building and fire personnel jointly participate in these training exercises.
- Upgrade and improve relationships with the sprinkler-system professionals in your operational area.
- Network with other departments to gain insight on how they are planning to respond to the requirements.
- Subscribe to both Sprinkler Quarterly and Sprinkler Age magazines to be in the loop on the latest information that is available.
- Review your plan-checking processes and identify your strengths and weaknesses. Develop a plan to eliminate them.
- Carry out community outreach to all properties to educate and inform the general public on the process.
Unlike the game of our childhoods, this is no time go into hiding. When it comes to residential-sprinkler requirements, you better have a strategy so that you're prepared when someone asks, are you ready? The only acceptable answer will be, "Yes."
Ronny J. Coleman has served as fire chief in Fullerton and San Clemente, Calif., and was the fire marshal of the state of California from 1992 to 1999. He is a certified fire chief and a master instructor in the California Fire Service Training and Education System.
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