Fayette board adopts amendment exempting some existing and historic buildings from sprinkler requirement

The Fayette Board of Aldermen unanimously adopted a building-code amendment on Feb. 24 that exempts some existing and historic structures from a mandatory fire sprinkler requirement, allowing for alternative fire-protection measures.

Building Inspector Jason Hampton told the council the proposed language (Building Code 500.010, new section 1401.6.17.2) is intended to address existing building stock and historically significant properties, so owners are not required to install fire-prevention sprinkler systems when an alternative approach is acceptable.

Alderman David Frees moved to proceed with the first reading and Alderman Patrick Roll seconded; the roll-call vote was 6–0 in favor. Alderman Grafton Cook moved and Alderwoman Michelle Ishmael seconded the second reading, which also passed 6–0. The transcript records the board adopting the amendment on second reading; the record does not specify an effective date or implementation timeline.

The council did not record additional conditions or a detailed list of alternative measures in the meeting record. The amendment shifts the local code’s default for certain retrofit and historic-preservation scenarios; the precise criteria for qualifying structures and required alternative protections were not specified in the discussion on the record and may be set by staff or a subsequent ordinance publication.

The board held no recorded dissent and no formal amendments were offered during the readings. The council moved on to other agenda items after the vote.