Southaven mayor previews updated building and fire codes; sprinkler threshold to remain at 6,500 square feet under roof

The mayor told the Southaven Board of Aldermen on Tuesday that the city will place an updated building and fire code on the next meeting agenda, with the stated goal of improving the city’s fire rating from a Class 3 to a Class 2.

The code update matters, the mayor said, because the state Fire Rating Bureau evaluates municipalities on their adoption of current codes; a better rating can affect insurance costs and public-safety recognition. “It is our hope that our rating goes from a class 3 to a class 2,” the mayor said.

City staff, led by Chief Building Official James Gentry, have met repeatedly with local home builders about the changes, the mayor said. The builders told the city they had no specific objections, the mayor said, and he described meetings as productive: “James Gentry ... has done an outstanding job with this. We’ve had multiple meetings with the home builders.”

One specific policy the mayor said will remain unchanged is the city’s sprinkler threshold. Southaven will continue to require residential sprinkler systems for structures with 6,500 square feet or more “under roof,” he said — an approach adopted in February 2020 on the basis that calculating by what’s already under roof reduces confusion when owners finish or add interior space during construction.

The mayor framed the sprinkler rule as a safety measure for firefighters as well as residents. “When you get into some of these larger homes without a sprinkler system, that fire can get out of control. It’s very dangerous for our fire personnel,” he said.

City staff did not present a final ordinance at the meeting; the mayor said the updated code and related ordinance will be on the next agenda for formal consideration and action. No date for final adoption was announced.

The mayor’s remarks appeared during the mayor’s report portion of the meeting and followed separate planning and administrative items.