New Fire Sprinkler Resource Guide

The National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) is proud to present a resource guide on residential fire sprinklers for code officials, builders, developers, and elected officials. The information serves as a source to ensure life safety concerns meet at least the minimum code requirements, regardless of whether residential fire sprinkler systems are required in their jurisdiction or not.   

“Residential Sprinkler Design Enhancements, A Resource Guide for AHJ’s, Builders, Developers, and Elected Officials” was compiled by the National Association of State Fire Marshals, Model Codes Committee, Sub-Committee on Code Amendments Related to Sprinklers. 

By clearly identifying all design enhancements allowed when residential sprinkler systems are installed, AHJ’s will be able to ensure that when residential occupancies are constructed without residential sprinkler systems these design enhancements are not allowed. This approach will help ensure that all residential occupancies in their jurisdiction are code compliant, regardless of whether a sprinkler system is installed at the time of construction or not.

The intent is to identify design and construction protection features that require consideration to maintain an acceptable level of safety in one- and two-family dwellings where amendments or deletions have modified provisions of the codes.  The purpose is to alert code officials, building design and construction professionals, and regulatory authorities and highlight the required alternative designs where the requirement for installation of automatic sprinkler protection has been removed.

This guide deals exclusively with design enhancement options found in the 2021 Edition of the International Residential Code (IRC), as well as certain special allowances that are provided in the 2021 Edition of the International Fire Code (IFC) and the International Building Code (IBC), all of which are published by the International Code Council (ICC).

If you have questions or need assistance in referencing this resource, please feel free to contact Phil Oakes (phil@browning.red) or Gary West (gary@browning.red) at the National Association of State Fire Marshals.

For a copy of the guide click here