Pennsylvania Home Builders Applaud Sprinkler Repeal Vote

HARRISBURG PA – Home builders are applauding passage of a bill Monday (March 7, 2011) by the Pennsylvania House to repeal the state’s home sprinkler mandate, and called for quick action by the state Senate, according to The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review newspaper.

“We are pleased by the large and bipartisan support to remove this costly and unnecessary mandate,” said Jim Eichenlaub, executive director of the Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh, told reporter Sam Spatter.

The House voted 154-39 for HB 377, which calls for the repeal of the law that covers only one- and two-unit houses. The mandate remains in effect for multi-family houses containing three or more units, he said. If the Legislature approves removal of the sprinkler mandate, that doesn’t stop home buyers from including sprinklers in a new home if they wish, Eichenlaub said.

The sprinkler requirement went into effect Jan. 1.

Related (to multi-family dwellings):

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