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Tradeoffs are a false incentive. Fire sprinkler manufacturers state that the net cost may be very low per household and cite the possibility of development tradeoffs, like narrower streets and fewer fire hydrants. However, negotiating for those tradeoffs is difficult because local ordinances and planning rules are not consistent from community to community. And there is no demonstrable savings in infrastructure costs for the jurisdiction – when as little as 3 percent of a fire fighter's time is spent battling house fires, installing fire sprinklers in new homes will not have a significant impact. Furthermore, if reductions in fire safety provisions can be permitted in other areas if sprinklers are mandated, then why require sprinklers if no net benefit is gained? Tradeoffs verify the argument that current fire safety provisions in building codes and planning already are adequate. |
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