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Building Code Board of Appeals <br />Agenda <br />December 4, 2027 <br />Page 4 of 55 <br />Fire Sprinklers <br />Geise would like to get the Fire Sprinkler code back. <br />Root agreed, stating that with the Marshall Fire rebuilds, the Planning <br />department has allowed 10% variance which puts buildings closer together. Also <br />energy code requires continuous foam insulation, modern construction — I -joists <br />etc are manufactured products that burn faster than dimensional lumber. Fire <br />Sprinklers were added to the City code in about 2008, and since then other <br />neighboring jurisdictions have adopted it. Louisville removed it after the Marshall <br />Fire to reduce cost to rebuild. <br />Berry is concerned that a basic remodel would require Fire Sprinklers, added <br />cost and retrofit. <br />Root: depends on scope; if demo but leave three walls it is a remodel, two or <br />more walls removed it is considered "new". <br />Dino is concerned about risk of water damage from head failures, etc. Berry <br />stated he has seen water damage from when initial system is initially charged <br />and causes water damage. Would like to recommend an incentive or trade off <br />rather than "requirement" across the board. <br />John Wilson (Louisville Fire Chief): has not seen broken sprinkler head failure, <br />due to negligent damage. Insulation is better; pipes do not freeze as before. 3-5 <br />gallons per minute per head. He has seen more damage from water heaters and <br />washing machines regarding water damage overall. <br />Dino questioned if there is a way to notify the Fire Department when they are <br />triggered. Henderson: residential is meant to save lives, not usually monitored. <br />Homeowner is responsible for maintenance. Also heads can be recessed heads <br />to prevent accidentally hitting the heads. <br />Berry questioned how often in the Chief's time in Louisville have the sprinkler <br />heads deployed in a fire. Chief: Two sprinklers deploy in about 10 years. <br />Root: freezes are usually the biggest issue that cause heads to freeze and <br />break. <br />Dino: asked Root about homes that had Fire Sprinkler systems that leak; Root <br />can only recall two instances where the heads leaked. One was due to cold <br />temperatures and improper insulation when they were installed. The other was a <br />head that was not maintained. <br />Gatto: what is the typical cost of sprinkler system? <br />Lane: Fire Sprinklers permits: $11,000-$25,000 among 11 permits <br />