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Arlington council advances parts of building-code update, tables residential sprinkler requirement for further review
Summary
Arlington City Council approved three minor amendments to municipal code on fire-damaged buildings, mobile food vehicles and restricted-access buildings, and postponed a broader change requiring residential fire sprinklers so staff can refine language and return next week.
Arlington City Council on Monday approved three changes to Title 15 of the city code but postponed a separate, more controversial section that would require fire sprinkler systems in many new single‑family and two‑family homes.
The council voted to adopt code language clarifying rules for fire- or explosion-damaged buildings, mobile food preparation vehicles and restricted-access buildings, while delaying final action on section 15.24.040 (fire sprinkler systems) to allow staff to incorporate edits discussed at the meeting and return with final wording.
The sprinkler language was the focus of a long public discussion. Commenters and fire professionals attended in force. “Please table this for additional study,” said Russell Joe, a commenter who urged the council to consider additional cost information and interpretations of the enabling statute. Several fire officials and marshals told the council that modern construction and open floor plans increase fire growth and that residential sprinklers can reduce damage and save time…
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