Code Review Committee to Review Proposals

The Code Review Committee tasked with reviewing the 2009 IRC to create the Michigan Residential Code 2009 edition is busy working on many proposed code changes.  The code review committee has scheduled an important meeting on July 22, 2009.  The meeting which is scheduled to begin at 9:30 am will take place at the Michigan Library and Historic Center in Lansing and will hear testimony in response to multiple proposals which have been submitted to remove the residential sprinkler requirements found in the 2009 International Residential Code.

Advocates of residential sprinklers as well as opponents will be present to provide testimony to the review committee.

How can you help?

There are multiple ways to help and provide feedback to the committee and the Bureau of Construction Codes

1. Communicate with your local elected leaders, building official, and community advocates on the benefits of residential sprinklers.  Provide them with the facts on costs and the benefits your community will receive if the future housing stock was provided with a residential sprinkler system.
2. MFIS is encouraging all members to attend the July 22, 2009 meeting and provide testimony on residential sprinklers.  Additional information can be received by emailing MFIS (help@mfis.org) who can also provide information to assist on July 22, 2009.
3. It is our understanding that letters can be transmitted via email (matsumotos@michigan.gov) by July 17, 2009 and treated as testimony for the proposed code changes.  The letters will be transmitted to the code review committee.
4. Your elected leaders, fire department, building officials and community can send letters or resolution to the Construction Code Commission, the Code Review Committee or the Director of Construction Codes (Mr. Irvin Poke).

Mailing Address
Bureau of Construction Codes
Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth
Post Office Box 30254
Lansing, Michigan 48909
Attention Director Irvin Poke,

With the current status of Michigan’s Economy there is no better time to ensure sprinklers are installed in all new homes.  Code Officials came together and voted this important code change into the International Code, lets make sure Michigan does not take it out.

With or without the code language its time to become an advocate and ensure your department is Built for Life.

Our Winter Educational conference provided great insight into many topics which affect fire inspectors.  The conference was started with topics on fire fighter / community right to know, fire inspector safety, a local approach at the implementation, smoke management, and residential sprinklers.

The conference was a great success due to the participation of our members and provided another great opportunity for learning and networking.  Make sure you mark your calendars for the 2009 fall conference (the dates have changed from our typical time frame) as the planning committee is working hard to make this one of our best programs ever!

Here is one of the presentations from the Winter Conference

• Ron Brown with NFSA, Preparing for Residential Sprinklers
  
• Also if you would like to help serve on our residential sprinkler committee, drop us an email at help@mfis.org

Residential Sprinklers Save Lives

There is a lot of talk about residential sprinklers and the need to save firefighters and our citizens. There are plenty of resources that are available for fire departments, but the “Built for Life” campaign is in full swing and needs your help! The program can give you easy to use tools that can help you turn the talking into action!

The Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC), has introduced the Built for Life Fire Department program to encourage and recognize all the U.S.fire departments that make home fire sprinkler education a focus of their community outreach.

HFSC believes that each fire department deserves recognition for home sprinkler education efforts, and will provide free tools to help your department get started.

With the right information and tools,more fire departments can teach about sprinklers. HFSC has developed these tools that are easy to implement and are free! Michigan needs this program and you can help by enrolling your department today!

Every Built for Life Fire Department will receive:

• Side-by-Side burn demo kit
• Educational outreach materials
• Certificate of participation
• Built for Life Fire Department window decals
• Built for Life baseball caps
• And much more

Although legislation or the adoption of the 2009 IRC can help us save countless lives, the ability to educate the public now, will lead to many other success stories.

MFIS Members at the ICC

Today Michigan Fire Inspectors were well represented by members of the board and 15 general members at the ICC code changes.  The group traveled to Minnesota to work on the various code changes as it relates to the 2009 I-Code Series.  One of the main focus is the vote for residential sprinklers.  If you were not aware code change RB64 07/08 is to install residential sprinklers in homes built in accordance with the International Residential Code.  This was one of the biggest votes in ICC history.  We are proud to annouce that the code change was approved by the membership and would take place on January 1, 2011.  This would only take place if adopted by the State of Michigan through the signle state construction code act.

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