New Hampshire to Require Sprinklers in All New Homes in 2012

A new portion of the New Hampshire building codes will require that sprinkler systems be installed in all new homes.

WMUR-TV said the New Hampshire State Building Code Review Board voted to require sprinklers in every newly constructed single- and two-family home and town house starting in 2012.

Fire officials say the requirement could save lives and property.

Durham Fire Chief Corey Landry says sprinklers are like putting a firefighter in each room of a home.

Bert Cox of the New Hampshire Real Estate Investors Association says sprinklers will add costs, but the industry will comply.

State lawmakers have two years to challenge the ordinance.