The New York State Builders Association (NYSBA) recently published findings on the feasibility and cost implications of installing automatic fire suppression systems, specifically fire sprinklers, in new single-family and two-family homes across the state, as reported by New York State Builders Association.
This initiative follows legislative requirements passed in 2021, which mandate that home builders provide potential homebuyers with an installation cost estimate for fire sprinklers in new 1- and 2-unit residential homes.
As discussions surrounding the potential for a statewide mandate continue, the NYSBA aims to inform decisions by analyzing the practicality and financial impact of implementing these systems in newly constructed homes.
The study was conducted by Asterhill Research Company, who reviewed housing trends, economic data, and fire fatality statistics to evaluate the proposed mandate’s practicality.
The research found that installing fire sprinklers in new homes could raise home prices by $20,000 to $30,000, translating to an increase of 3% to 5%, with additional long-term maintenance costs adding further financial considerations for prospective homeowners.
The report highlights specific challenges faced by rural communities if a mandate on fire sprinklers is implemented.
Many rural homes lack connections to municipal water systems, meaning that additional equipment, such as water storage tanks and pumps, would be required for fire sprinkler systems to function effectively.
This additional infrastructure would create substantial costs for rural homeowners, alongside logistical challenges for contractors tasked with installation.
In response to the study, the NYSBA expressed concerns about the potential financial burden such a mandate would place on rural and low-income communities already struggling with rising housing costs.
The report notes that New York’s housing market has seen a 41% increase in single-family home prices between 2019 and 2023, further exacerbated by increased mortgage rates, making homeownership less attainable for many New York families.
Examining fire safety data, the study revealed that between 2019 and 2023, no fire-related fatalities occurred in homes built after 2000, though older homes without adequate smoke alarms were more vulnerable.
A Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) report indicated that only 33% of homes in fatal fires had smoke alarms, many of which were not operational.
NYSBA’s report emphasizes that, while fire sprinklers can be lifesaving, the costs and practical challenges must be carefully weighed against the benefits.
NYSBA suggests enhancing existing fire safety standards as a more balanced approach.
Specifically, the association recommends focusing on smoke and carbon monoxide detector installation and maintenance enforcement, which could provide substantial safety benefits without significantly impacting housing affordability.
Additionally, it proposes incentivizing homeowners who voluntarily choose to install fire protection systems, offering a more flexible approach to fire safety.
In a formal letter to the New York State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council, NYSBA Executive Director Michael Fazio commented on the potential impact of a mandatory fire sprinkler policy.
Fazio stated: “While we fully support efforts to enhance safety, this mandate would impose significant financial burdens on home buyers and disproportionately affect rural and low-income communities when New York is in the midst of a severe housing affordability and supply crisis, which shows no signs of ending any time soon.”
The NYSBA encourages the council to reject the fire sprinkler mandate in favor of promoting affordable safety improvements that would not further strain the already challenging housing market.
The association advocates for solutions that support affordability, especially as 75% of families in New York reportedly cannot afford new homes due to current housing market conditions.
A recent study from the New York State Builders Association (NYSBA) evaluated the costs and practicalities of installing fire sprinklers in new single-family and two-family homes across New York, in light of a potential state mandate.
Conducted by Asterhill Research Company, the study found that fire sprinkler installations could add $20,000 to $30,000 to the cost of new homes, disproportionately affecting rural communities with additional infrastructure needs.
Reviewing safety data from 2019 to 2023, the study suggests alternatives to fire sprinklers, such as enhanced enforcement of smoke and carbon monoxide detector installations.
NYSBA urges state officials to consider these cost-effective fire safety measures in light of New York’s housing affordability crisis, which has seen home prices increase by over 40% in recent years.
