St. Mary's County hearing on 2009 Maryland building standards focuses debate on sprinklers for single‑family homes

A public hearing on proposed adoption of the Maryland Building Performance Standards — which would incorporate the 2009 International Building Code (IBC), the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC) and the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) into St. Mary's County's code — centered on a new IRC provision that would require automatic fire sprinklers in new one‑ and two‑family dwellings.

Adam Knight, deputy code official for St. Mary's County, opened the staff presentation, saying the hearing covers the county's adoption of the state standards and that “the most significant change with the IRC is the addition of fire sprinklers in all new 1 and 2 family dwellings.” He noted that townhomes and multi‑family buildings already are required by state law to be fully sprinklered and described proposed local amendment language preserving the county's existing plumbing and fuel‑gas references.

Why it matters: The change would extend a new national model provision for residential sprinklers to the county, affecting builders, homeowners and emergency responders. Supporters say sprinklers cut deaths and property loss and protect volunteer firefighters; opponents and some builders…